JBNA: I Don't Believe You

James Bay Neighbourhood Association

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

James Bay Library

James Bay has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get a branch library. Imagine – access to the resources of the Greater Victoria Public Library (GVPL) within walking distance for James Bay residents! The GVPL has launched a survey asking residents to provide input as to the type of library best suited for James Bay. Take less than 5 minutes out of your day to support this initiative.

Background:

A Master Development Agreement (MDA) for Capital Park, the development planned for Superior Street facing the south face of the Parliament Buildings, identifies 700 square meters (about 7,500 sq. feet) as potential branch library space. The JBNA resident Victoria Accord survey done in 2013 showed great support for a multi-purpose/library facility as being the primary desired amenity of Capital Park.

The time is now:

Facility space: Each municipality provides space (leased or owned by municipality) for any GVPL branch while the GVPL provides funding for set-up and operating. Partner municipalities in the GVPL contribute finances to GVPL. The City’s costs for Library space in James Bay will be a very small part of the new property tax revenues realized by the City from 235,000 square feet of office space, 155,000 square feet of residential space, and 17,000 square feet of retail space in Capital Park.

The City has a limited time to take-up the offer to lease the premises. Once the initial option time expires, the developer may lease the space to a third party. The City will then have the opportunity, in years ahead, to request space. Such a request would have to be submitted at least two years before the space is required, and may not be filled until up to 15 years later, as third party leases expire. We need a full service library and community space now; especially since City and GVPL long-term plans envision the main Library (currently at Broughton and Blanshard) relocating to the north, near or at Centennial Square.

The GVPL survey is found at: www.gvpl.ca/jamesbay

This Summer - JBNA General Meetings:

In June, Concert Developments presented a proposal for a 172 suite seniors lifestyle community (Tapestry program) with condominium and rental accommodation, at 701 Belleville Street, the crystal court motel site. The proposal has a lower four-storey section that fronts Belleville. The lowest floor would have common facilities for residents and a restaurant open to the public. The upper three floors would have residences and the roof would be a common area with gardens. A 15-storey tower is proposed for the east end, by Blanshard. Overall, 132 rental units and 42 condo units are planned. A public garden space is proposed for the Douglas Street side, between the projected complex and the ‘Q’. Watch for additional presentations on this project.

At the July 8 meeting, the “Garden of All Sorts” proposal for the Niagara north side boulevard was presented. The allotment garden, situated on the north side of Niagara Street, between Dock and Pilot Streets, would initially have 18 plots. The proposal is expected to go forward to Council in the fall. Robert Hughes also presented a Tree Assessment with slides.

The August 12 JBNA meeting was set up as a round table discussion. Representing the City of Victoria, in addition to council liaison, Margaret Lucas, were Jonathan Tinney, Director, Sustainable Planning & Community Development, Kristina Bouris, Senior Planner, Community Planning, Katie Hamilton, Director, Citizen Engagement and Strategic Planning and Julie Potter, Manager, Citizen Engagement. Hamilton made the first of many presentations on the City of Victoria: Great Neighbourhoods Initiative. These presentations are planned for all Victoria communities. This new city initiative will provide the opportunity to have all city departments become responsive to local community challenges, rather than the 'one size - fits all' approach. Residents spoke of the distinctive character of this community on a peninsula, the 'neighbourliness' of the pedestrian-friendly streets and accessibility to the downtown. Some forty James Bay residents struggled through post SnowBird traffic to attend the meeting. Approximately 20 participants spoke, respectfully presenting a variety of ongoing local concerns including cruise ships, noise and air pollution, the 19-year involvement of one resident in documenting the safety issues of the harbour airport with no response from the City, and traffic speed, among others. Treating James Bay residents as second-class citizens and lack of response from the City were both mentioned more than once. The recently appointed Tinney received a spirited introduction to community concerns.

Call for Artist Volunteers:

JBNA is examining a project that will require the assistance of an artist, or two. If you are a practicing artist or have past experience in the creation of graphic art, please consider volunteering. Experience in working with children will also be useful. Contact Marg at marg.jbna@shaw.ca or 250-360-0300.

Call for proposals/submissions - JB Garden Coordination:

As part of the City’s initiative to encourage local food production by residents, JBNA has received a small facilitation grant. If you are interested in submitting a proposal to carry out one or more of the 2015/16 objectives (below), contact Marg Gardiner at marg.jbna@shaw.ca or 250-360-0300 to discuss prior to September 15. The JBNA proposal can be found in the news bulletin box at .

2015/16 objectives for gardens:

~ creating an inventory of current gardening in James Bay

~ develop a proposal for submission to the City for a Community Orchard

~ write short “Garden Tips” articles to encourage gardening

~ create incentives to encourage gardening in James Bay

~ coordinate/assist harvesting or work-bees (timing and e-blast) of gardeners

JBNA General Meetings Venue:

The location for the September 9 meeting has not been confirmed. In May JBNA received a letter from the Chair of New Horizons Board stating that JBNA would no longer be permitted to use New Horizons space for meetings or other purposes. No rationale was provided. In late May, Mayor Helps committed to ensuring that appropriate meeting space in James Bay will be available to JBNA by September 1.

A notice will be sent via JBNA e-listings and a NewsBulletin posted on the JBNA website () informing residents, the week of the meeting, of the location.

City works in James Bay:

Sidewalk and southbound lane work on Government Street will soon be completed. New signal lights will be installed at Government/Superior sometime in the next few weeks. Work on the sidewalk/paving on Montreal Street and the turf and sprinkling system upgrades in McDonald Park will continue into September.

Eastside WasteWater & Camping in Parks:

JBNA continues to monitor City discussions on these matters:

Wastewater/sewage: Ogden Point/Coast Guard remains on five of the six sites being considered for a wastewater treatment facility.

Camping in Parks: All/any City park may be under consideration by the City to host a tent-camp. JBNA made a submission to the City in April requesting that no tent-camp be set up in James Bay. Currently, camping occurs in at least five locations in James Bay.

Looking ahead:

Join your neighbours at the September 9 Meeting (location to be announced)

for a presentation on the library proposal and learn about the CRD Eastside’s proposals for Wastewater Treatment (Sewage).

Join your neighbours in support of the James Bay Library Branch proposal.

The GVPL survey is found at: www.gvpl.ca/jamesbay

October 14: Hear about changes to Clipper operations at the Belleville Terminal (tentative) and provide input/comment to GVHA’s Ogden Point MasterPlan. Consultant Mark Crisp of Stantec will be seeking input from James Bay residents.

September 15:

JBNA All-Candidates Forum at Laurel Point Inn, 7 to 9:30pm. Come and meet the 2015 federal election candidates for Victoria.