And the winner is...

James Bay Neighbourhood Association

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

Air Quality and Cruise-ships

In response to the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) "clean-air recognition program" the James Bay Neighbourhood Association (JBNA) announced the Victoria 2011 - Dirty Air Cruise-Ship of the Year recognition program.  In the summer of 2011, the Crystal Symphony, a ship owned by Crystal Cruises of Los Angeles, flagged out of the Bahamas, was selected as the 'dirtiest' single ship-in-port, based upon one-hour emission data.

Although black smoke was not common and pollution was significantly reduced, foul air continued to be experienced in 2011.  Data from April through September of 2011 were analysed to assess the impact of cruise-ships on our community.  From visual monitoring of cruise-ship plumes and analysis of the 2011 'raw data', as provided via the BC Government web-site, JBNA was able to identify periods when emissions were high.

Fortunately, the Crystal Symphony will not be visiting Victoria in 2012.  It is also hoped that after August 2012 all ship emissions will be in compliance with the North American Emission Control Area (ECA) standards: hoped because, to date, there has been no announcement of an enforcement program to ensure compliance in Victoria Harbour. 

Environmental Issues: 

Air Quality - Transport Canada - VIHA - BC Ministry of the Environment

JBNA Board has had on-going discussions with government agencies regarding the need for increased air quality monitoring.  Discussions with federal government officials concerning the gap in the application of the Emissions Control Area and any enforcement/inspection proposal for Victoria are also on-going.

GVHA Ogden Point MasterPlan:

Phase 1 of the Ogden Point MasterPlan - Technical Report has been completed and is available on the GVHA web-site.  The plan suggests continued growth of the cruise ship industry.  No mitigation is suggested to counter either the proposed growth of industrial activity or existing impact on the community.

GVHA Tourist Walking Map:

GVHA has reconsidered its position on the inclusion of the JB Community Market on the  cruise-tourist walking map. The JB Community Saturday Market location will be added to future printings of the map.  

GVHA-JBNA:  Working Groups

Cruise Related Transportation issues: 

JBNA continues to lobby GVHA for mitigation regarding transportation impacts related to the cruise-ship industry.

Parks & Boulevards:

Phase 2 construction of Fisherman's Wharf Park has begun and should be completed in early July.

The property at 408 Dallas is scheduled for redevelopment in the months ahead.  City engineering requirements for a wider driveway may mean the removal of the mature and healthy elm tree on the city boulevard.  Although neighbours are desirous of maintaining trees and greenspace, there were varying opinions about this boulevard tree.  The neighbours to the east are experiencing foundation problems due to the elm's spreading root system.

Dallas Bluffs Conservation Plan

In a joint presentation, Todd Stewardson, Fred Hook & David Speed of the City of Victoria Parks Division & Consultant Dave Murray of Kerr Wood Leidal identified the Dallas Bluffs (Clover Point to Lewis Street) as a critical habitat, with species at risk (SAR) needing protection.  An action plan developed by Kerr Wood Leidal details costs, scope of work and an initial 5-10 year management plan.

The Parks Division's restoration strategy will focus on the removal of invasive vegetation while promoting erosion management through the protection and restoration of low growing native species and species at risk.  There will be a secondary focus on slope stability and coastal process.  Infrastructure (pathways, stairs, and walls) are not included in the plan.  Parks Department will post the plan on the City website.

GVHA Fisherman's Wharf UPDATE

Brenda McBain & Dean Strongitharm of City Spaces returned to the JBNA with a preliminary facilities/land use plan for Fisherman's Wharf, a plan intended to reflect current users and anticipated future uses.

The facilities plan is to reinforce and enhance Fisherman's Wharf as an economic generator and as a cohesive community (9 acres of water and 2 acres of upland), emphasizing marine elements as opposed to upland elements.

While many aspects of the plan were supported, concerns and suggestions by JBNA members included:

- a poorly designed survey on the GVHA website which fails to separate neighbours from others (clients);

- suggestion to increase the number of float homes - the attraction people come to see - rather than increasing commercialization;

- access for refrigeration/tanker trucks and the placement of the recycling facility on city-owned park;

- limiting space for fish boats - important to the character of the wharf;

- proposed service of alcoholic beverages;

- economic considerations appear to be the most important aspect of the plan which is seen as a test of the integrity of the GVHA by the neighbourhood.

Fisherman's Wharf DRAFT Plan at http://www.victoriaharbour.org

403/405/411 Kingston Street - Update - Dan Hagel

This project (6 residential units straddling 2 lots) has been resubmitted with greater respect for adjacent neighbours.  The back of the L-shaped property (surrounded by houses) will be a parking lot.  City planning staff and neighbours are supportive.

James Bay Thrifty Foods:  Open 24-hours

James Bay Thrifty Foods will be open 24/7 effective mid-June.  Thrifty Foods has declined the JBNA invitation to discuss the change of store-opening hours at an open JBNA General Meeting.  Anyone who wishes to know more about the change may contact Thrifty Foods at:

Ed Nelms

Manager, JB Thrifty Foods

250-386-2554

Email: enelms@thriftyfoods.com

Jim Dores

President, Thrifty Foods

6649 Butler Cres Saanichton, V8M 1Z7

250-483-1600

or, Erin Kelly, Communications Manager

Tel: (250) 483-1690 Cell: (250) 661-3759

Email: ekelly@thriftyfoods.com

Bill McEwan, President, Sobey's Inc

115 King St., Stellarton, Nova Scotia, B0K 1S0

(902) 752-8371

Email:  barbara.curry@sobeys.com 

Annual General Meeting

Prior to the April 2012 monthly meeting the James Bay Neighbourhood Association (JBNA) held the Annual General Meeting for 2011. 

Five Board positions were filled by acclamation: President - 2 year term Marg Gardiner; Membership - 2 year term Bob VanderSteen; Treasurer - 2 year term Wayne Shillington; Director-at-Large - 1 year term Janis Ringuette; Director-at-Large - 1 year term Trevor Moat.  Tim VanAlstine will continue on the Board as Past-President.  The following board members will complete their current 2-year terms in 2012: Tom Coyle - Vice-President, Brian Scarfe - Information Officer and Miriam Nelson - Secretary.

May JBNA General Meeting:

Join your neighbours at the May 9^th JBNA general open meeting, New Horizons, 234 Menzies, from 7 to 9 pm. 

- Harold Aune of Whitehall Reproductions Ltd, will be discussing the new boat manufacturing facility at Ogden Point.  Harold is the founder of Whitehall Spirit Rowing Club which operates in the inner harbour.

- August Special Event Consultation - Shakespeare by the Sea - Holland Park

- Councilor Chris Coleman will speak about special events.  This will be an opportunity for James Bay residents to respond to the special events approval process.

- Cameron Scott, Senior Planner for the City of Victoria will present the City's completed Official Community Plan.  He will be seeking community comments from the residents of James Bay.