Sound Bytes

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

Committee Reports

The James Bay Neighbourhood Association (JBNA) Transportation Committee reported on recent meetings with the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority regarding ongoing James Bay concerns at the regular September JBNA meeting. Subjects include: testing of all bus fleets for emission safety standards; an interactive website so that community members can express their concerns to the GVHA; improved accountability of the Cruise Victoria Best Practices Report which is still a working document; and alternative parking for out-of-town tour buses to avoid extra traffic in James Bay. Complaints regarding speeding in the neighbourhood should still be reported directly to the Police.

Quality of Life

The Executive Summary for a Quality of Life Study in Key West, Florida was received from MLA Denise Savoie for the attention of the JBNA Traffic Committee. The Study reviewed the impacts of Cruise Ship Traffic on local economics, environmentally sensitive resources, public amenities, waterfront access, and transportation/traffic in Key West. The entire 2005 study is available at Key West City. A Quality of Life Study has been suggested for Victoria.

Urban Forest

The City is preparing an Urban Forest Management Plan to establish short and long term strategies for the growth, management and protection of Victoria's urban forest. Janis Ringuette, a member of the JBNA Parks Committee, will represent James Bay on the steering committee.

Fisherman's Wharf Park

The City has invited representatives from the GVHA, a sports group, and float home and Reef residents to join members of the JBNA Parks Committee for monthly meetings of the Fisherman's Advisory Group. Monthly meetings are planned through to Spring 2009.

A proposal to re-open a creek buried under the park (aka "daylighting"), similar to a project in Gorge Park, is also being considered. A tour of the Gorge Park "daylighting" project is being organized by the JBNA for James Bay residents.

Pendray Traffic

Heavy, fast-moving traffic on this arterial connection between Ogden Point and the downtown core includes buses, taxicabs and local traffic. The 5-way intersection that encompasses Cross, Pendray and Belleville Streets has become a danger to motorists and pedestrians, with numerous vehicle accidents. Area residents have requested the City to consider a grass-only boulevard adjacent to an expanded sidewalk in front of the Admiral's Inn to restore vehicle sightlines and to ensure pedestrian safety. Widening of the street should be included in any redevelopment proposal for the 257 Belleville Street site.

Developments - Rezoning

672 Niagara Street

Details of a development variance permit for this site were presented to the JBNA with drawings, elevations and a landscape plan. The proposal is for a multi-family 3-storey, 4-unit "heritage style" townhouse project with roof decks and 5 underground parking spaces. Relaxations are requested for reduced site coverage, front and side yard setbacks, distance from street centre-line, and 5 parking stalls rather than the 6 required.

221 Quebec Street

The townhouse development proposed for 506-508 Pendray Street has been dropped from this application. The residence on Quebec Street is to be moved to the north end of the property and renovated to 3 living spaces (either strata, rental or tourist accommodation) under a heritage revitalization agreement. A public hearing on the project is scheduled for City Hall on October 9th at 7pm.

701 Belleville Street

Council directed the developer of this proposal to reconsider height and any associated refinements, and to provide a financial analysis of the proposed amenity contribution. Staff was directed to provide further analysis of the interim height policy rationale.

257 Belleville Street

This proposal is tentatively scheduled for presentation to Committee of the Whole on October 16th.

Air Quality & Health

The Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) has asked the JBNA to assist with the identification of current or former James Bay residents who have health problems affected adversely by air quality. Those affected will be given opportunities to explain their problems by speaking privately with the VIHA representative. To contact the VIHA researcher, please email the JBNA Secretary, in confidence, at jamesbaynea@yahoo.ca.Your name and contact information will be provided to the VIHA researcher.

JBNA Elections

Elections of a Vice-President and an "At-Large" Director will be held at the JBNA October meeting. Elections to replace other executive members may take place after the November Civic Elections. Volunteers are urgently needed for the executive and to share the workload of committees. The constitution is posted at www.jbna.org

Civic Elections

Attend the all-candidates meeting at the James Bay Community School Centre at 7pm on Thursday, November 6th. You can submit questions to the candidates. Questions from James Bay residents, submitted prior to the meeting, will be put to the candidates by Chair Pat McGuire. Three general questions will also be sent to all candidates in advance of the meeting for written response.

Questions in either category may be submitted to

- James Bay Community School Centre - 140 Oswego,

or

- James Bay New Horizons - 234 Menzies.

Public Meeting – Victoria Harbour Airport

Council Chambers, Victoria City Hall, #1 Centennial Square, Thursday, October 2, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.

The Victoria City Council Standing Committee on Victoria Harbour Airport iis holding an information sharing meeting about harbour airport related matters. The meeting aims to: share issues raised by citizens and other groups; summarize actions taken to date by the Committee; clarify harbour jurisdiction; seek citizen recommendations on issues related to the harbour airport; and discuss next steps.

A Request to Address the Committee form must be submitted by October 2nd at 11:00 am If you would like to speak at the meeting and/or make recommendations to the Standing Committee on Victoria Harbour Airport. The form can be found on the City of Victoria website at www.victoria.ca under “What’s New” or you can pick it up at the Legislative Office in City Hall.

For more information, please contact:

Soki Kaur, Policy Analyst
Corporate Planning & Policy Division,
Legislative & Regulatory Services Department
Tel: 250-361-0529 Fax: 250-361-0348
skaur@victoria.ca
www.victoria.ca