JBNA: 2015 year end

Submitted by the James Bay Neighbourhood Association

COHO schedule and Belleville Terminal upgrades correction:

COHO service to Port Angeles will be suspended from January 4 through February 28, 2016. The usual 17 day down-period has been extended to facilitate wharf up-grades. In addition to annual servicing, the COHO will undergo equipment upgrades.

Belleville Terminal: 

The car and passenger ramps and a portion of the pilings in support of the COHO wharf upgrade will be completed in April 2016. Completion of work on both the COHO and Clipper wharves is targeted for mid-2017.

James Bay Library – the debate begins:

The Greater Victoria Public Library (GVPL) Branch proposal as part of the Capital Park development was a contentious topic during Mayor and Council’s budget discussions of November 20. Several Councilors appeared unaware of GVPL’s established planning process for library branches and questioned the value of a library branch in James Bay. Some Councilors appeared not to understand the 20-year “promise” of a community amenity through the 1993/94 Victoria Accord. The branch size of 7500 sq ft, recommended by the GVPL for James Bay, would allow for targeted programming for groups such as pre-school and primary school children. James Bay Neighbourhood Association (JBNA) encourages residents who are supportive of library program services in James Bay to contact City of Victoria Councillors by phone or with a note to councillors@victoria.ca BEFORE December 3.

Food and gardening:

The James Bay Gardening Committee has been convened. Gardeners from James Bay’s two allotment gardens and other volunteers interested in food gardening and food security have started work on an inventory of gardening in James Bay. Kathryn Pankowski, JBNA’s contracted Food Gardening Advocate, will be coordinating this and other projects.

Gardening in restaurants:  

James Bay restaurateurs, such asHeron Rock Bistro, have been actively "growing" ingredients. Nourish in the Harbour, 225 Quebec Street, opened a few months ago. This month, Imagine Studio Cafe, 31 Erie Street, with indoor food plantings, will open with a community development program.  

Wastewater (sewage)

The CRD Eastside Committee has removed Ogden Point (James Bay) sites from consideration for sewage treatment. Thank you to all James Bay residents who have actively participated in the discussion. Impacts on nearby residents might have been significant and negative. Resident support was necessary and appreciated.

Streets and Transportation

Dedicated bike lanes have been proposed through the BIKETORIAproject. On November 10, JBNA wrote to the Mayor asking that the lanes proposed for James Bay be brought to the James Bay community for consultation; all residents and businesses, but especially those on Belleville, Superior, Michigan and any other streets which may be affected, should be provided the opportunity to have input to this important initiative as we are all users of the streets and sidewalks of James Bay. As of press time for the Beacon, JBNA has not received a response to the November 10 communication.

Crosswalks:

A new crosswalk at the south side of Fisherman's Park, long promised, has been budgeted for this year (2015/16). Recently the City of Victoria has painted and signed several new crosswalks/walkways including one at the corner of Menzies and Michigan Streets. Consideration is also been given to a cross-walk at Michigan across Douglas, leading to Beacon Hill Park.

Traffic Signals:

The City has also completed the installation of the new traffic signals at the intersection of Government and Superior Streets.  

Cruise-Ship transportation:

Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) has yet to release the Transportation Study commissioned from Dillon Consulting last summer. Without mitigative steps by GVHA, residents should brace themselves for a 30% increase in cruise-related traffic during the next 2-3 years.

GVHA: Strategic Plan & Ogden Point MasterPlan

GVHA has posted its DRAFT 2016-2019 Business Planand will be hosting a discussion workshop. The report projects a very ambitious GVHA. It focuses on benefits for the Capital Regional District; while recognizing impacts on neighbours (meaning James Bay). See draft report at http://www.gvha.ca/sites/default/files/pdfs/publications/draft%20Business%20Plan%202016-2019%20-%20Oct%2026.pdf

The GVHA Ogden Point MasterPlan Functional & Facilities Planpresentation is anticipated for the January 13, 2016 JBNA General Meeting. 

Have your say:  

GVHA has created a "Conversation" web-page. After registering, participants may offer their opinions on several topics and make suggestions. Over 3000 comments have been received to date. See Welcome to Let's Talk . . . Ogden Pointat http://ogdenpointmasterplan.mindmixer.com/topics/all

December 9, JBNA General Meeting:

Join your neighbours for Xmas treats and a packed agenda at the December 9, JBNA general Meeting, 7 pm, 234 Menzies (New Horizons Building).

90-92 Dallas Development: Project Update: The proposed rezoning is to demolish the existing legal duplex and replace it with a new duplex. The rezoning is required because the site area is less than the minimum site area required in the R2 zone. The project came to JBNA in October, 2012, but the plans have been altered to use a slab base rather than dig a basement, hence the update.

345 St James St: Garden Suite Development: The owners of the property wish to build a small, less than 350 sq.ft., garden suite at the rear of the property.  

71-75 Montreal St Rezoning and Multi-residential Development: Proposal is to build two buildings, each 2 storeys plus basement, with 12 individual dwelling units in each building. A significant parking variance is also being sought.   

665 Douglas (the “Q”) Yuk Yuks Comedy Club Primary Liquor Licence: The application for a primary liquor licence would permit Yuk Yuks Comedy Club to operate in the lower area of "The Q" apartments. Hours of operation being sought are 9 am to midnight (most nights) and 1 am two nights.  

2015 Cruise-Industry Emissions and Traffic: A review (time permitting)

Looking forward to January, 2016:

Mark Crisp of Stantec, consultant to GVHA, will be presenting the Ogden Point Functional and Facilities Plan (part of MasterPlan process) at the January 13, 2016 JBNA General Meeting. 

Other projects and/or presentations which may be coming forward in January, or February, or March, include:  BIKETORIA, Microhousing, Heron Cove and Raymur Point bridges (Harbour Pathway), Dog Watch & VicPD Police Liaison, and X-walks in James Bay.

The agenda for the January meeting will be posted on the JBNA web-site by year’s end. (see )

Season’s Greetings to all