Planning for Our Future

James Bay Neighbourhood Association

 An on-going Beacon feature on land use & planning - to alert, inform, and prompt community action - and to celebrate success!

The February 2010 meeting of the James Bay Neighbourhood Association (JBNA) saw the resurrection of a development proposal by Chard Development.

640 Michigan

The revised proposal to replace the current parking lot includes a 4-storey (28 unit) frame structure on the west side of the lot and an 8-storey (64 unit) concrete structure on the east side, with a view corridor/courtyard down the middle.  Underground parking and bicycle storage will be a feature at for 640 Michigan Street.  Lower units on both buildings of the condo complex will be family orientated and rentals will be allowed.

The proposed structure will not unduly affect the sightlines for historic South Park School.

Greater Victoria Harbour Authority

The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) has announced the development process for a Master Plan for Ogden Point.  The first Open House will occur on March 4th from 5 to 7pm at the Ogden Point Pier B Customs Building.

See the Ogden Point Master Plan Stakeholder Engagement Strategy at

The Quality of Life & Environment Committee is preparing an information package related to emissions, noise, and traffic volume measurements, and James Bay residents survey results, as previously presented at JBNA meetings.  One version of the information package will be presented to the consultants (CH2M Hill) for the Ogden Point Redevelopment Process.  Another version, focusing on JBNA priorities, will be presented to City Council, or to a Council committee.       

The $3.3 million installation of a mooring dolphin to expand the capacity of the port is proceeding with Federal and Provincial funding, apparently without the benefit of either master plan or stakeholder approval.

The GVHA also recently announced $2.5 million in projected capital improvements to Fisherman's Wharf.  Work, scheduled to start in Fall 2010, includes replacement of the middle 4 fingers of the Wharf, upgrading of washrooms, expansion of causeway floats, widening of Huron Street pier, noise abatement of tuna catch related boats and refrigerator trucks, landscaping, fire suppression equipment and back-up generators.

Royal British Columbia Museum

The Royal British Columbia Museum (RBCM) has served notice that a re-zoning request for the current museum/archive site within the block bounded by Douglas, Belleville, Government and Superior Streets will be presented shortly to City Council.

Current R-2 zoning permits residential use of the site, but does not allow for the museum or any of the museum-related uses currently in operation. 

The proposed comprehensive development zone will allow current operations as well as foreseeable future operations (such as public institution, theatre, retail, restaurants, business offices, multiple residential, parks, festivals and parking). 

Open Houses at the RBCM, scheduled for March 6th & 7th, noon to 3pm, will give Victorians an opportunity to view and comment on the museum's vision for the next 100 years.

See www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/zoning for more information.

Parks Committee Report

Urban Forest Master Plan

The Urban Forest Steering Committee was informed that the "City's lead project consultant," Jeremy Gye, is revising the "high level" plan after consultation with community and staff.  The committee and senior city staff expect to review a second draft later in March.  A five-year action plan for the Parks Department, also due in mid March, and by the same consultants, will assist the department to manage "trees growing along City boulevards and within our parks."   

Fisherman's Wharf Park

Construction of the wheelchair access ramp on the north edge of the park was scheduled to begin in late February.  Seating ordered for the west end of the park includes Adirondack chairs and tables for the north slope, curved benches for the plaza, logs for the playground and wooden benches for the stern of the "boat."  Already in place are seating rocks along the pathway and in the plaza, plus picnic tables.  Installation dates for the seating and a water fountain are dependent upon delivery of materials.  Though playground equipment is installed and tantalizingly visible, children are excluded from the area by an orange plastic fence.  Opening of the playground could be delayed until April. 

The ambitious plan to daylight the buried stream in the east end of the park passed its first hurdle, soil assessment.  A consultant will be hired in the spring to "provide construction details and cost estimates" for the project.  Approval by council is required before construction can begin.

James Bay Air Quality Study: 

The final report of the Mobile Air Monitoring Laboratory studies that took place in summer 2009 has been released by the Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA).  The report will be forwarded by VIHA to Dr. Tom Kosatsky of the BC Centre for Disease Control for a health assessment report.      

Official Community Plan

As part of the engagement strategy for Victoria's New Official Community Plan, Community Planning staff from the city will be visiting Victoria neighbourhoods over the coming 4-month period.

Cameron Scott, Senior Planner of City of Victoria Community Planning, will make a presentation at the March 2010 JBNA meeting.  James Bay residents are invited to provide input into the process being developed to guide the development of the City over the next 25 years.

Next Month join us on Wednesday, March 10th at New Horizons on Menzies Street at 7pm for a lively discussion on the changing face of our community and planning for the future.