The November 2008 monthly meeting of the James Bay Neighbourhood Association (JBNA) was a congested (but friendly) event as neighbours, interested in reviewing the two scheduled development applications, squeezed into a small meeting room.

The developer of this property has requested re-zoning to allow construction of a 3-townhouse development on a property zoned to permit 2 units. The proposed design is within all of the existing zone setbacks and parameters, while saving the existing treed greenspace at the back of the property. Neighbours and the JBNA membership noted the transitional nature of the proposal design, which steps down from an apartment building on one side to more traditional housing stock.

The new owner of this property is requesting re-zoning to permit the sub-division of the lot and construction of a new single family home with similar massing and detailing to the existing designated heritage home on the property. The existing home (orphaned for many years, next to an apartment building) is to be fully restored and raised 8” to accommodate a full basement. The proposal was viewed favourably by JBNA membership & neighbours, especially in comparison to the possibility of a less sympathetic addition to the original house, which current zoning allows.

An Urban Forest Management Plan is being developed for the City of Victoria. Five committee meetings and two public meetings are proposed before the plan is presented to City Council in April 2009.

- An Urban Forest Master Plan Presentation and Public Workshop will be held early in the new year. The consultants will make a presentation and ask for public feedback and ideas.

- The JBNA has been asked for input on boulevard trees in James Bay. Are there trees which are important to the character of your street or neighbourhood? Residents can express ideas and concerns at the public meeting in January ’09, and/or email them to Janis (jar@islandnet.com) who will present them at the next meeting of the steering committee in mid-January.

Staff has begun a process to assess the use of the trails throughout the park, with the intent to improve trails, with signage informing people of the importance of staying on the trails. Many unofficial trails will be closed to protect natural areas. Detailed plans will be presented as they are developed.

Plans under discussion are: to “upgrade” Southgate Avenue with path improvements along the south side of Southgate; to create new and better paths for Heywood Meadow (possibly including a boardwalk through winter-wet areas) on the slope down to Heywood Avenue; to replace the existing Mayors Grove sign with a new one mid-grove, next to one of the planned major trails; to discourage parking in the meadow by installing curbing along Circle Drive southeast of the Farm, and to install major paths and wildflower signs in that meadow; and to remove unneeded asphalt in several areas.

Beacon Hill itself is a major headache for trails. There has never been an established trail system, so as more and more people use the park, unofficial trails multiply. Parks staff is working on specific plans for the Hill.

For history and current news check out http://www.friendsofbeaconhillpark.ca/

A successful ‘creek highlighting tour’ on October 11th led to an equally successful Open House at New Horizons on October 21st. 113 people completed surveys. 65% of respondents live within a 5-minute walk of the park. Most-supported possible park attributes from the survey parallel findings from a recent city-wide survey. In order of value, these attributes were natural planting, walking, random seating, gathering areas, stream, picnic, washrooms, landscape gardens, soccer, and public art. City staff will review all input and develop park designs for consideration in 2009.

The Transportation Chair clarified current priorities of the Committee as continued pressure for emissions testing of highway coaches, and addressing city-wide bus parking which has been transferred to Ogden Point as other available parking disappears to development throughout the city.

Discussion was presented that the City must take responsibility for the residential emphasis they have placed on development around the harbour in James Bay and the Songhees, and deal with the relationship between Ogden Point and the neighbourhood. Although noise and speed concerns within Victoria are complaint driven, the meeting was told that complaint tracking within the bylaw office is minimal to non-existent. Strong concerns regarding the storage of BC Transit and other highway coaches, and the non-harbour related commercial use of Ogden Point were re-stated.

Concern was expressed regarding this Cruise Industry Best Practices document of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA), which has been in draft form for the past year. Unlike successful initiatives in other port areas, this document was GVHA staff-developed with minimal input from residents. The draft CTCI contains no actual accountable or measurable best practices guidelines. A meeting of the CTCI was scheduled for late November ’08, but any best practices document developed by the GVHA must be referred back to the community for comment.

Do You have Concerns regarding land use, transportation or parks within James Bay? The JBNA is mandated to give representation and local public voice to issues such as environmental concerns, housing & heritage, development, traffic & pedestrian safety. Join us and ensure that your opinion is well represented.

On December 10th a combined presentation of Phases 2 & 3 of the Air Quality Study is scheduled. We are anticipating the presentation of a dispersion model developed from study data indicating the levels of air-borne effluents and the effects of wind and other factors on their dispersion within the community. http://www.jbna.org/