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

The cancellation of presentations scheduled for the November meeting of the James Bay Neighbourhood Association (JBNA) allowed time for intense discussion of the report of the recent Executive Committee Planning Retreat and community concerns. Priorities, developed at the retreat, were fully discussed and in some cases re-prioritized, according to the voted voice of the meeting.

James Bay Plan
The development of an updated James Bay Neighbourhood Plan remains the number one priority of the Association. The JBNA remains committed to the creation of a comprehensive neighbourhood plan, to guide proposed rezoning and development for the benefit of the community.

During the last municipal election, all civic candidates declared their support for bringing neighbourhood plans in Victoria up to date. There has been no apparent action, although a Manager with responsibility for Community Planning has been added to the Planning Department. City council has also confirmed that changes to existing neighbourhood boundaries are not planned. Confrontations with developers over land use in James Bay are often due to the lack of a current and up to date neighbourhood plan.

The JBNA will advise Mayor and Council of the consultation and data collection already accomplished within the community. Municipal politicians may be asked to explain lack of promised action when they next go to the polls.

Meanwhile, the Development, Density & Character Committee is completing a property-by-property inventory in James Bay, listing each structure and its use. The completed project will include a registry of rental properties and a photographic inventory. ’

The JBNA plans to host a meeting of representatives from each Community Association Land Use Committee (CALUC) to discuss the co-ordination and development of common formats (i.e. consistent wording on consistent themes) within updated neighbourhood plans.

Where is our copy? A draft report of the air sampling study is to be presented to the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA). The JBNA has been advised that the City may also have received the draft report. Concerns and disappointment were expressed because the study was a partnership of JBNA, GVHA and the Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA). The meeting passed a unanimous motion requesting that the researchers simultaneously release the report to all partners.

Other priorities identified in these areas include: presentation of the JBNA transportation report to City Council, community representation on the GVHA Board, and a cost/benefit (triple bottom line) analysis of the cruise ship industry in Victoria.

Affordable Housing
Residents are encouraged to review the report of the Mayor’s Task Force on Homelessness available at http://www.victoria.ca/cityhall/tskfrc_brcycl.shtml and to express their views on this important issue by writing to municipal, provincial, and federal politicians.

Councillor Charlayne Thornton-Joe has been invited to discuss the Task Force Report at the JBNA meeting in February 2008. She may be prepared to explain why there is so much talk and so little action on this portfolio. Be prepared to quiz the Councillor when she joins us in February.

JBNA Executive will be actively encouraging a mixed-use development on parking lots south of the Legislature. The Legislative Library, offices, & cafes, with market and non-market housing for a mixed-demographic would bring diversity to this area. The JBNA definition of affordable housing includes housing co-ops and housing for young working people.

The property at 640 Michigan Street, which has been on the market for some time, has been identified as an ideal location for the development of affordable housing.

Parks & Environment
Several current city projects come under the purview of this committee of the JBNA. The Parks Master Plan, the Harbour Pathway project and the Pedestrian Master Plan will all have an impact on James Bay residents.

A new plan for Irving Park that encourages activity and the revitalization of public spaces in James Bay are also identified as priorities for this committee in 2008.

Member Engagement & Education
You can become involved in the activities of the JBNA. Volunteers are essential to our operations. Would you like to serve on the Executive? Do you have ideas on bike paths that should be voiced within a committee? Do you have a passion for parks and green space? Are you concerned about traffic and vehicular access to and from James Bay? Would you like to report on committee activities to the Beacon or assist with clerical activities? Let us know.

Do you have expertise to share as a featured speaker at a regular meeting? Or you may wish to recommend an addition to the list of potential topics and speakers for monthly meetings.

Are you available to represent James Bay on one of the city's advisory committees? If so, be prepared to respond to the city's soon-to-be-published ad looking for candidates.

Are you prepared to voice your opinion at the city's public hearings?

Can you assist an elderly neighbour to attend JBNA evening meetings? Sometimes someone to walk with can provide that extra feeling of security if a car is not available.

December Meeting
Join us to hear Councillor Chris Coleman talk about current and on-going projects at City Hall that affect James Bay on Wednesday, December 12th at New Horizons at 7 pm.

You are invited to donate a non-perishable food item to the Community Cupboard and to share your favourite cookies or cakes with your neighbours during a short Christmas Social after the meeting.

January speaker TBA.