Logic in the Eye of the Storm

By Doreen Marion Gee

"Reason before passion" was a code of conduct for Pierre Elliott Trudeau. This kind of reasoned approach is badly needed in one of the most contentious issues in Victoria - the proposed mega-yacht marina for Victoria Harbour. With strong proponents and equally strong opposition, this has become a war of words where logic and common sense are taking a back seat. As the fate of this proposal looms on the horizon, it is time to look at the logistics of this whole concept. Even with recent enhancements by the developer, a realistic approach is needed. We need to ask ourselves: Is this a tenable option for our harbour or not? And what are the facts and the evidence of the case?

Is this massive luxury yacht marina a proper fit for our harbour and city? Our present City Council does not think so. In an August 25, 2009, letter to Stuart E. Soward of the Harbour Defense Alliance Mayor Dean Fortin states "...the underlying intent of the Community Plan has been to support a range of marine uses that are oriented to public use and that are compatible with adjacent residential and park uses. Council believes the proposed mega yacht project is out of balance with the current plans for the neighbourhood and runs counter to the original vision for this location". John Luton, City Councillor, comes right to the point in a Sept. 9 email: "I don't believe a mega-yacht marina fits our harbour." According to Audrey Whittal, Chair of the Housing Committee for the Vic West Community Association, the organization has always questioned the logic of a marina. On October 14, 1986, a letter from the Association to City Council states that an "excessively large marina ... would damage an already small, narrow, congested harbour, limit future recreational activities, and become a regrettable precedent for future waterfront developments." Whittal sees the new mega vision as even more untenable, especially with vastly increased harbour traffic.

Robert Evans defends his mega-yacht marina, "it is the best thing for Victoria and will put us on the map." In a media statement, he talks of the great economic and employment benefits for Victoria: 110 new jobs and $4.8 million impact yearly to the community. However, in a comprehensive economic study done by Kris Terauds, new jobs total 21 and the full economic spin-offs ultimately work out to $2.96 per CRD resident. At an $800,000 price tag for each thirty-year yacht rental (according to Stuart Soward), the developer will definitely reap rewards.

Does it make sense to put kayaks in the same water way as enormous yachts? Not according to Brian Henry of Ocean River Sports. In the developer's new July 2009 plan, Evans has made some changes to give paddlers more access: three fewer slips and a wider paddling channel through the marina channel. But Henry is still strongly opposed to the new marina and believes that the changes do nothing to mitigate serious safety hazards to paddlers. The biggest danger is within the marina where kayakers will be right beside huge yachts docking and backing up. Outside the marina, they are crammed into a narrow channel dangerously close to sea plane traffic.

Will a wall of boats affect ocean views? This is certainly a possibility. In an April 17, 2009 letter from the City Planning and Development Department to the Province's Integrated Land Management Bureau, the authors state that: "View corridors are an important aspect of community planning, especially in the Victoria context where views to the ocean, natural shoreline and surrounding hills are so valued by the community. The proposed marina design may have an impact on these view corridors." The perspective of Robert Evans is that his marina is the "best use of those public areas."