James Bay Neighbourhood Association

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

Emergency Preparedness

Robert Johns, Emergency Coordinator, Victoria Emergency Management Agency for the City of Victoria has recently returned from Christchurch, New Zealand, where he had access to the full range of emergency response activities associated with the latest earthquake and subsequent aftershocks.  He will share lessons and experiences from that trip through presentations (to be scheduled) and through the emergency preparedness bulletins available at the city website ().  Watch the Beacon for upcoming articles on emergency planning and preparedness.  

David Bratzer, spoke about a new initiative, Scientific Victoria, at the March 2011 JBNA meeting.  Scientific Victoria will advocate for the consideration of science in local government decision making and contribute 'scientific' advice to public debates/discussion. The organization has a Science Advisory group in place and a strategic or governing committee is also being established.  See

Development proposal

68 Government Street

This somewhat complicated development proposal involves salvage of a derelict house at the corner of Government and Niagara.  By raising the house 6 feet and by pouring a new foundation, 3 feet lower than the current foundation, space for a legal height basement suite will be created.  The building footprint is to remain the same and two 2-bedroom units are to be created.  The house straddles 2 building lots, with Niagara Grocery sharing the western lot facing Niagara.  Changes to expand operations at Niagara Grocery are being contemplated.  Currently, 2 rental suites are located above the store.  It is assumed the City will want to combine the two lots but their response to the current proposal is unknown. 

152 Dallas Road

At its March 8, 2011 meeting, the City's Heritage Advisory Committee declined the owners' request to remove the heritage covenant with respect to 152 Dallas Road.  This matter will proceed to the Planning and Land Use (PLUS) Committee on April 7, 2011.

425 Simcoe Street

Spinnakers opened SIPS at 425 Simcoe under a covenant restricting sales to wine and beer and limiting hours of operation.  Although the JBNA expressed concerns regarding policing (and helicopter) costs in the downtown and in Irving Park, on March 10th the request for removal of the covenant prohibiting the sale of spirits was approved by Council.

 

AIR SHED POLLUTION: Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)

In response to a motion at the March meeting, the JBNA Board has requested that the City post cautionary signage in public areas, particularly those areas where residents and visitors are likely to exert themselves, breathe deeply, and thereby increase the potentially adverse impact of elevated levels of pollutants.  Dr Stanwick of the Vancouver Island Health Authority has identified the need to notify potentially vulnerable persons to minimize exposure to SO2.

Deep breathing by people doing sports or other strenuous activities may be affected by high SO2 levels.

 

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The 2011 James Bay Neighbourhood Association AGM is scheduled for April 13th.  Registration starts at 6:00 pm with the meeting to begin promptly at 6:15 pm.

Members who wish to stand for a position or who wish to nominate a member for an available position on the Board may submit a notice to Tim VanAlstine or Marg Gardiner or c/o JBNA, New Horizons, 234 Menzies St., V8V 2G7.  Tim VanAlstine  timothyvanalstine@gmail.com  250-384-5334, Marg Gardiner margbrian@shaw.ca 250-360-0300             

Nominations from the floor at the AGM are acceptable. 

Six Board positions are open. James Bay residents willing to volunteer their time are the key to keeping our community organization successful and productive.  Executive positions are normally for a 2-year term.   However, if vacated mid-term, the position for election may be a 1-year term.  Director-at-large positions have 1-year terms.

Serving on the JBNA Board provides the opportunity to learn more about community issues and to work positively to improve our community.

JBNA Board members are expected to attend general meetings and Board meetings.  Currently, Board members also sit on the DRC (Development Review Committee) and attend DRC meetings, as needed, to review development proposals. Board members are encouraged to serve on other committees.   Positions available and length of terms are: 

            Vice-Chair - 2 years;  
            Secretary - 2 years; 
            Information Director - 2 years;
            Membership Director - 1 year;  
            Directors-at-large (2 positions available) - 1 year terms.

Vice-chairperson: Chairs member and Board meetings in the absence of the Chairperson and fills in for the Chair for other duties.  Two-year term.

Secretary: Takes and distributes minutes; writes letters as directed by the Board. Numerous secretarial duties can be shared with others on the Board.  Two-year term.

Membership Director: Maintains attendance lists at general meetings, determines eligibility for membership and maintains membership list. One-year term.

Information Director: Ensures that the community is aware of JBNA initiatives and activities; pursues opportunities to increase JBNA visibility/influence. Two-year term.

Directors-at-large (2): Directors-at-large attend general meetings, Board meetings, DRC meetings and sit on and/or chair one or more committees. One-year terms.

Join Us in April

The regular monthly meeting will start at 7 pm or directly after the AGM.  Two scheduled presentations will be of particular interest to James Bay residents.

Rebecca Penz from GVHA will be presenting the GVHA Strategic and Business Plan, and details about the 2011 Cruise Ship season.  This will be an opportunity for James Bay residents to again suggest ways and means whereby the negative impacts of cruise tourism activity on the neighbourhood could be mitigated.   

Darin Ramsay of BC Transit will be introducing proposed new public transit routing through James Bay.  BC transit held a design Charrette on March 12.

Twenty participants worked within the parameters established by BC Transit to develop possible BC Transit bus routes.

The JBNA April meeting will be an opportunity for residents of James Bay to comment on the proposed route.  BC Transit intends to implement the new route in December using newer, smaller buses.

All James Bay residents are invited to the meeting which begins at 7 p.m.