Welcoming visitors

Submitted by the James Bay Neighbourhood Association

In an April 22press release the James Bay Neighbourhood Association (JBNA), with Victoria Mayor and Councilors, extended a welcome to the plus ½ million tourists anticipated during Victoria's 2015 cruiseship season. Two hundred and twenty-nine ships are scheduled over the five month summer period. The JBNA continues to emphasize that local tourism enterprises should engage in clean, sustainable practices.

On a typical 3-ship evening 1000-1700 additional vehicles circulate through James Bay with 130 of these vehicles being large buses. Many of these buses are 1984 vintage. Only a few buses built since 2000 have been introduced; no ‘electric’ buses are in use and there is NO commitment to phase out the old fleet. Traffic noise studies done on Dallas Rd found levels far above those recommended for healthy living. A bus is audible when it is ½ block to one block away. The “noise-impact” time for a bus to pass by any given point can range from 45 seconds to minutes …some residents may experience extended periods of almost continuous bus noise.

Residents look to both GVHA, which collects bus user fees for each passenger, and the City, which licenses each tour bus, to solve the problems of ever-increasing, tour-related bus traffic in our neighbourhood and of old, noisy, polluting buses on our streets. A GVHA initiative, requiring buses added to the fleet to be newer than 16 years old, is not adequate. /

Ship fuel regulations which came into effect on January 1, 2015, were to lower the maximum sulphur content of fuel from the current 1% to 0.1%. However, alternatives, such as the use of scrubbers, have been permitted. Exemptions (up to 3 years) have been granted which allow the continued use of higher sulphur fuel until the scrubbers becomes operational. JBNA has requested that GVHA use its contractual power to ensure that the intent of the 0.1% fuel legislation is followed by requiring ships which have been granted an exemption to switch to 0.1% sulphur fuel as they enter Canadian waters on their approach to Ogden Point.

Residents, especially those with pulmonary problems, are bracing for another 5 month season of unhealthy sulphur dioxide emissions from cruise ships, with a projected 17% to 19% increase in cruise-related tour bus activity.

At the April 8 JBNA General Meeting, three proposals for new or existing buildings were presented and discussed.

Fisherman’s Wharf - Floating Washrooms:

Mike Graham, Chief Technical Officer, GVHA presented a plan to add a second floating washroom adjacent to the existing washrooms at Fisherman Wharf. The washrooms are located on the wharf, in front of the Harbour Master office. The washrooms which are wheelchair accessible will be open throughout year with winter access on a demand basis.

Development Re-zoning: 121 Menzies

Charles Miller, Duncan Valley Designs, made a presentation on behalf of the building owner, Gordon Osborne, who was also present. This 1902 single family dwelling with R2 zoning was purchased by Osborne in 1992 and renovated with rezoning to permit seven light housekeeping suites. Additional unauthorized suites were constructed somewhat later. The owner is requesting that the City consider modified zoning for the dwelling which now houses a total of twelve suites plus a garden suite in the former garage.

There is one parking spot on the property with well-protected secure bike storage. Plumbing and electrical were all done to 2012 code by professional tradespeople, and all suites have egress. The building is well alarmed so there is no concern for the safety of the tenants. Residents are screened to subscribe to public transportation prior to acceptance as tenants. The owner has settled his account with BC Hydro.

Neighbours commented that they were unaware of the number of occupants, noting that it was quiet, clean and a good citizen on the street.

While this represents the sort of low cost housing for singles which Victoria desperately needs, many speakers were unable to support the proposal. They expressed concern about the precedent such zoning would set and the very difficult situation forced upon the city and this community. Zoning stays with the building and this level of density is too great for this site.

Re-zoning and Variance: 520 Niagara (Cathedral School)

Murray Miller, Heritage Planner, City of Victoria made a presentation on the City’s proposal to rezone the property. The owner has requested relaxation of the rear and side setbacks and a relaxation of parking requirements. 

The City’s proposal is designed to create the conditions for a creative development proposal to come forward which will preserve the existing 1939 registered heritage structure. Neighbouring residents expressed their disappointment and concern with the process.

Update

City Council's Public Hearing for the rezoning of Cathedral School occurred on April 16. The City advised they were in receipt of a proposal from the property owner, the Diocese of the Anglican Church, to develop two homes on the site, each with a suite (implying that the intent to demolish the school remains). As this development permit is being considered by staff, the rezoning proposal continues in an attempt to save this historic building. Nearby residents expressed strong concerns at the rezoning proposed by the City, in the absence of a development proposal which would adapt the current structure to a multi-residential complex.

Upon consideration, Council passed a motion to rezone the property in the hope of preserving the building by creating a rezoning opportunity. They are confident that the City's Heritage Preservation Legislation will allow Council to respond to resident's concerns if such a proposal comes forward. A second motion was also passed whereby any proposal involving the alteration of the existing structure would be required to go through the full CALUC process, providing the community the opportunity to comment on the proposal at an open JBNA community meeting.

City of Victoria:

Camping in Parks:

City Council is considering a report that suggests amending the Parks Regulation Bylaw to define particular areas for sheltering (camping). Other recommendations concern funding for bylaws and parks staff and clean-up. Currently camping restrictions apply to “environmentally sensitive” areas, some of which are in Beacon Hill Park, Moss Rocks, Franklin Green, Pioneer, and Victoria Youth Park.

Some Councilors favoured imposing of restrictions on specific parks, namely Cridge, Haegert, Kings, Arbutus, while others suggested that such restrictions would merely pass the issues on to others and hence more requests would be expected from other neighbourhoods. The highest camping use appears to be at Beacon Hill Park and Topaz Park.

Tree removal:

110 and 160 Government Street – Vine Maples, severe decline/dead.

401 Government Street – Purple Leaf Plum – 42 cm dbh, has severe decay in the root crown caused by Ganoderma, a wood decay pathogen. This tree requires removal. Stump grinding and replacement tree planting is expected for the fall and winter of 2015/16. 

300 Michigan – the arborist report indicated that the two Red Maples on the Oswego frontage had poor structure due to historical utility pruning and recommended removal of two trees. Two replacement trees will be replanted at the developer's cost following construction. The Cherry tree and Birch tree on the Michigan frontage are to be retained and protected during construction.

New Logo

Did you Notice the New Logo at the top of this column? The JBNA logo has been updated to more closely match the logo on the website www.jbna.org. The JBNA mandate, established in 1993, will appear on letters and elsewhere: "JBNA ~ honouring our history, building our future". 

Join Us in May

Wednesday, May 13, 2015   7 p.m. - 9 p.m.,

James Bay New Horizons – 234 Menzies St

Scheduled presentations include:

 - Helijet Application for Liquor Primary License, Bert Hick, Rising Tide Consultants and Stephen Baxter, Helijet

 - Community Safety: the beginning of a discussion, “panhandling and loitering in James Bay”

Wayne Shillington, JBNA

 - Sewage Treatment Update, Eastside Public Advisory Committee

Looking Ahead

The Capital Park developer will return to the June 10 JBNA meeting with details of Phase 1 and the relocation of the heritage houses currently on Michigan Street.