Newcastle Island - Videos from 85/86

Good things get my attention. In 1985/86 it was Newcastle Island. The following video's are all related to my work managing the Newcastle Island Pavillion Society. I promoted use and development of the island.

There are 8:

1) CTV News with a young Tony Parsons

2) Music Video "In the Mood" Dal Richards

3) Pavilion Visitors interviewed

4) Jack Webter TV Show

5) CHEK TV News - Hudson Mack/Patti Pitts

6) Bob Banard/Carol Berryman interview by JR

7) Shaw Cable - Leith Boulter coverage of Community Appreciation Day-Dignataries include Tony Brummet, Mayor Roberts & Dal Richards

8) Bill Merrilees - Mr. Newcastle.

I had alot of fun. Newcastle remains a big part of JimsWorld.

If I had my way there would be a bridge, a tunnel (not that far fetched-I've been in the coal mine there) or at least a proper regular transit service to this treasure.

1) Tony Parsons CTV News - July1986,, crazy young

2) Music Video - (yes we had them back then). I arranged with Dal's record producer to get this done. It was recorded live at the Newcastle Island Pavilion in Summer of 1986. Many new and old cars, people & energy went into capturing this moment of Nanaimo Culture. Wait for the green screen at the end for credits.

3) Pavilion Visitors are interviewed. I believe the first man is Gerry Berry Sr who like his son was City Manager (before Harry Whipper) . Also featured is Ted Jeffs, Joy Fagan. Who else please?

4) Jack Webster TV Show: This clip was a surprise. I arranged for our local MP to appear on Webster's show promoting tourism including Newcastle. I was there, prepared just in case, wearing a velvet jacket from Scotland which caught Jack's attention - he was good to fit me in at the last minute.

5) Hudson Mack - CHEK TV Reporter Patti Pitts does a good report on the islands features. I am amazed at how young Hudson looks - I just saw him at the United Way breakfast-he has filled out a bit.

6) Bob Banard & Carol Berryman get interviewed by me. Bob was the ferry operator and outstanding promoter with endless energy (later built Dingy Dock Pub). Carol was the park interpreter - where is she now i wonder.
Anyone still with me gets a prize :)

7) Leith Boulter & Shaw Cable coverage of Community Appreciation Day. October 20,1985. This is the long one - 22minutes. Tony Brummet then BC Minister of Parks explains history of society involvement. Dal Richards speaks of his original visit. Graham Roberts is Mayor. I look goofy. It was fun.

8) Bill Merrilees - Mr Newcastle. Bill knows Newcastle, better than anyone I know. He is a scientist, an advocate and nice guy. Bill worked for BC Parks and was instrumental in developing most of the interpretive displays, information & improvements to the island and its facilities.

My NEW (North End Wet) House

I am slow - I've missed alot in the past 20 years of my own life & drama.  The evolution of social programs has flown under my radar.   Just for issues relating to substance abuse and mental illness,  there is not only a dozen or so organizations active in BC, there is an association bringing them together.   Like flooring outlets, barber shops, dental hygenists or mechanics - there is a common voice and support for the industry.  The "industry" of substance abuse and mental illness - wow, who would have thought it would get this far.  I certainly didnt.  I am slow.

I invite you to check out HereToHelp  -    http://heretohelp.bc.ca/about - "Since 2003, major providers working together to help people better prevent and manage mental health and substance use problems."

Yesterday I met John Horn, Nanaimo's Social Planner.  I had seen John in action at committee meetings and we had spoken on the phone.  Previous first impressions were like some of my old IBM colleagues - professional, business like, purposeful.  Today I found him much more at ease in his own space and willing to share any thought and idea I busily bounced around to.

I wanted to find out about the process of selecting the operator for the North End Wet House - my NEW House.

I learned that the process is basically to invite people (organizations) to express interest and then to invite some (or all) of those that put up their hand, to submit a detailed proposal.  It is a 60 year deal, a 60 year commitment to run the facility.  I understand that we are right now coming to the end of the "hand putting up" period - for the Dufferin & Uplands locations only.  Councillor Holdom's compromise to residents concerned about the Bowen location has it now "parked" until the others are up and running.   That means for that location, the process stops, no operator selecting work is happening for Bowen.

Personally, I like the idea of going first on this - there may well be more options available, more to choose from.  On the other hand, I am sure that there will be lessons learned through this round of the process that will serve to benefit the final round.  There may well be new options available then, who knows- I just figure if its going to happen, bring it on- lets get serious about finding the best option, the best deal available.

I showed John slides of my trip to Victoria & Duncan yesterday and asked if he was familiar with the 2 places I visited, the operators, sites and areas.  He certainly was, no surprises here.  He informed me another half dozen operators that are well respected and being considered in the mix currently.  I realized once again just how slow I am - this is like buying a house, a computer, furniture - anything.  There are many options, many factors to consider.  I am in construction, have been for 25 years, mostly bidding commercial flooring work.  I suddenly realized how silly it would be to have a home builder do an office building or to have an institutional contractor do a basement renovation.  Like so many things, this is probably one where there are "horses for courses" (people that perform consistently well in specific conditions)

I also learned that the final decision on the operator comes down to John & head of the RCMP here.  There are of course many reports and reviews by committees & council but it will be these 2 people that  determine what we want to do for the next 60 years.***  I intend to spend a bit of time to make up my own mind, to share my thoughts on what I would do with my NEW House.

*** (New Information on this point was added Oct 15 in the following post http://jimsworld2012.blogspot.com/2011/10/new-information-on-who-decides.html  basically there is more to it - the province I now understand has the final decision on who gets the contract)

Wet Housing#2, Information & Options

I went looking for answers today about low barrier "wet" housing. I had seen one place in Nanaimo (the Balmoral) which prompted me to wonder where the current "strategy" being applied in Nanaimo came from and also what are other places doing, surely we are not alone on this. The first answer led me to the 2nd. A document on the city website under Social Planning & Nanaimo's Response to Homelessness caught my eye. Apart from the history that was revealed along the way about who was doing what and where the money was coming from etc, this document had a subtitle "Relevent Best Practices"*. Yippee, I found it - the "why", the "recipe", the "instruction manual", the "textbook" or at least a small sample of current practical thinking & experiences, some logic & lessons - candy to my "analyser" nature.

The document referred to a place in Victoria - Fairway Woods. The document actually says "General acceptance of tenants and the building by the neighbourhood" OK, This I had to see.

I found it next to The Priory - a Seniors Care facility and next to a couple of multi unit condo projects. I walked in the back door and was met by a care worker that had a moment to spare. I had the grand tour and about 30 minutes of question & answer time. Cool Aid is the non profit society that runs the facility and a different nonprofit is contracted to provide the support care service to the 30 residents. There are a variety of mental illness & substance abuse issues being managed by the care workers, it was clear that they know each and every resident well. I met one resident who I was gently informed is a 6yr old in a seniors body. I met another resident who had been there long enough to still be allowed to smoke in his room while newer residents and staff have to go outside.

I also met the facility manager who told me Fairway Woods has been there 10 years, that there was some resistance at first from local residents but that it faded, that the neighbours share in Christmas activities even. One of the condo projects next door is quite new and is all sold out.

The building has a fitness room, lounges, laundry & a kitchen/dining room where 1 meal a day is provided if need be, I understand other groups come in and put on meals for both residents and others. I didnt get to speak to any neighbours or people from the Priory - I should have I suppose-but if a dark side lurks here I picked up no signs. I did learn that Fairway Woods is a senior's oriented "wet" house. It took me a while to get my head around this - seniors with mental issues and/or abusing drugs and alcohol. I dont know if that is good or bad - it is what it is though. I learned the seniors age qualification is loose enough to include me though. I got the distinct impression that the mix of residents is managed as carefully as the medicines and care each receives.

This actually lead me another realization that the demand for "wet" housing is broader than my narrow idea of a skid row drug addict. There are several ways to categorize the people in need - by age, by condition and by need. This is a way more complicated subject than I thought it was.

I decided to make the trek downtown to the offices of the CoolAid society. I managed to catch the Manager of Housing, John Crean as he went from one meeting to another. I make it a point to look closely at and comment on, people's business cards, his was easy to spot something special - 17 facilities were listed on the back of it. We agreed to email each other and I hope to find out even more about the way CoolAid housing works. I don't know if its the selection of residents, the operation, the support programs or a combination of the above. I just know I got a good feeling from everything I saw - people in need were being housed and helped. Life went on with it and around it.

My second stop of the day was in Duncan - Warmland House.

This is different right from the get go. People hanging around outside, some blankets and cups lying around. The entrance courtyard is gated and fenced. It is in a mostly commercial area. Its 2 years old. I happened to pull up along with a lady who offered to help as I approached the door. She was instantly sharing and helpful when I expressed curiosity about the facility. I learned that Warmland is many things under 1 roof. Unlike Victoria, where I found 17 facilities on 1 business card, Duncan has just 1 - Warmlands is it . It is simultaneously a homeless shelter & a "transitional" wet house. The second point means that residents can live in a small apartment unit for a 2 yr limit, then are evicted to find accommodation on their own from the rental pool. The first point - "shelter" means that people line up at 4 pm for a bed. There are 2 parts to the building to serve each group - each with different rules and procedures. I learned that mixing the 2 groups can be problematic. Shelter beds are dry, the others are not. Shelter beds are in dorms of 8. There are 22 residents and about 30 in the dorms, another 30 can fit in the lounge on mats if need be.

So the moral of my story today is that there are options and choices. There are decisions that Nanaimo has yet to make that can lead to different results. Nanaimo is neither Victoria nor Duncan. Nanaimo has different resources to work with.

The Relevent Practices document I referred to earlier concludes with a section on the role of Municipalities and a section on "the Gaps" (What is missing) - The Municipality section highlights the importance of "leadership. It leads off with a statement - "Traditionally, municipalities have been reluctant to take on initiatives in the area of homelessness. This has changed with a growing number getting more involved....." (So are we going to be traditional or join the trend, get involved?

The "Gaps" section ends with " Community leadership is essential to raise awareness and foster cooperation among major stakeholders"

I take this to mean that if I want something good I better make it real clear what I want. Doing nothing is an option - I might still get something good, or not. Doing something requires some work. Doing something smart requires a bunch of work - information gathering and analysis, not just of the options and which is best but of the process and of the ways to influence the process, in order to get what is wanted.

I do wonder what we are going to get here- Fairway Woods, Warmlands or something in between. I know the result can be influenced with saavy and hard work.

I just hope someone is prepared to do some hard work, figure out what the options are and to provide leadership.

* A Response to Homelessness in Nanaimo: A Housing First Approach:

"Relevent Best Practices"

http://www.nanaimo.ca/assets/Departments/Community~Planning/Social~Planning/Nanaimos~Response~to~Homelessness~Action~Plan/080107_Nanaimo_BP_Research_MG.pdf

(scroll down when you try this link - it looks at first like a blank page)

Exerpt about the place I visited today

Fairway Woods, Langford. Located in a suburban area, Fairway Woods is a 32- apartment housing project that provides 24 hours, 7 days a week support services. The complex was specially designed and purpose built for the formerly homeless and hard-to-house seniors by the Victoria Cool Aid Society. It is located close to bus service and amenities including a health clinic, pharmacy, grocery store and café. On-site services include assisting with difficult situations, providing help with daily living activities, and the provision of one communal meal daily.

Clustered home care services are provided by Community Health Care Workers from the regional health authority to those tenants in need. Other visiting services include home nursing and psychiatric social work.

The project took 8 years to complete and its success is attributed to the housing provider’s experience in providing housing and support (Cool Aid), the passion and commitment of staff and selection of appropriate tenants. Fairway Woods is reported to have had significant impacts on tenants’ lives, including increased health, greater autonomy, healthier social relationships and decreased substance abuse. The aspects noted to have contributed the most to tenants’ quality of life are:

• Quiet suburban setting

• Predictability of everyday life

• Proximity of shops and services

• Social aspects such as daily communal meal

• The value of having 24-7 site service staff increases the sense of security and connectedness

• General acceptance of tenants and the building by the neighbourhood.

Backs & Bums on Shadow Mtn

Shadow Mtn Park took a good step today. A group of half a dozen residents volunteered to plant bulbs in a couple of berms - mounds of fill covered in topsoil. Others absent today also shared in the process that will bring a colourful moment to the neighbourhood and help prevent reckless access. The process started with a meeting onsite with neighbours and a city park planner. It started with people wanting to contribute. It started with the city wanting to support neighbourhood parks. It started with people wanting something.

Half a dozen city parks staff had a hand in moving the idea along. Another different half dozen, parks people moved earth, plants, tools, trucks & machines to prepare the site for our turn today. Approximately 30 people had a hand in or an eye on, getting this done. In total about 12 manhours to do it, 21 including planning & organizing it.

The point is that the resources of our city are there to serve our collective interests - we just have to want it. Compliments and appreciation to all of the 30 sets of hands, eyes, backs & bums that wanted this to happen.

Low Barrier Housing Tour

Kevan is a marvellous neighbour. This morning he gave me a tour of the low barrier housing facility he manages at what was the old Balmoral hotel. The Balmoral's previous life was as a peeler bar. The mortared up back door entrance is as far as that road goes now. Inside that area now contains offices for outreach support workers.

The Balmoral looks at first glance like it always has - a bit rough - like a good horse that has been rode hard and put away wet. Looking closer I found shiny new bits, signs of love and life - a new set of stairs here, another at the side, a heat pump unit, metal doors, some gardens & landscaping. Inside the 19 rooms have been renovated. All but 2 are occupied with 15 men & 2 women. I saw the 2 empty rooms. Rent is $400 for a modest sized bedroom with a closet & window. There is a sink and heat is provided. Tenants can have cable or a telephone at their own expense. A microwave, bar fridge, electric frypan is permited but not a hot plate or toaster oven- lessons learned by too many fire department call outs.

The building has a sprinkler system, a video camera system with at least 9 cameras with motion detectors & recording features. The doors have alarms and monitoring connections. The old restaurant part of the hotel operates part time making & freezing meals for those in need. There are offices & meeting areas for the Canadian Mental Health staff that operate the facility. I met a dozen staff from Outreach to Accounting this morning.

The facility has people there that have been there for 5 years. There have been evictions in Kevans time and others who move on their own. There are rules. Perhaps the only thing out of place for me was a needle drop box in a washroom.

The place is tidy. There are several ongoing painting & fixing projects underway.

I only saw one resident, he was on his way in with a bed roll under his arm. I thought the same thing Kevan said - "sleep out last night John?" "No" he said, "summer is over, just bringing in my feathers (comforter)"

The Balmoral may be an old horse, but it is still running hard and pulling a good weight.

If I pay, I care

Good to see Nanaimo council "up the ante" in the city hall game. For what councillors are paid, who cares what they do.

The people running the show are the real pros. (152 out of 550 staff are over $75k at my last count). The city has a $130Million plus budget - a serious money game. I am willing to admit quickly that money is neither the "only" thing, nor is it the "most important" thing, however it is certainly right up there on the list - worthy of intelligent and careful consideration. So it seems reasonable to me to pay the people charged with the responsibility of guiding the ship enough to make me care. I vote and pay tax to fund the whole operation - I need to seriously care what goes on.

I am sorry but at $23,000 per year I find it difficult to criticize what a councillor does or does not do. The misinformation, the twisted logic and bad decisions are somehow easier to take because they are cheap. I too often walk away thinking "at least I didnt have to pay much for that poor performance"

Nanaimo is growing - the complexity and sophistication of its operation is growing. The time and energy needed to keep up with running it needs to grow. I'd like to see Nanaimo go beyond just keeping up for once, to lead and innovate. I compliment this move to increase Council salaries and challenge the next council to step up their game accordingly - to set a trend of improved standards of operation and accomplishment. Better information, better analysis and better decisions. The efficiency of Nanaimo can improve, the high priced talent and resources we have to work with can deliver more value. It has to start with council and the quality of the work they produce.

40th Sentinel High School Reunion

Mrs DeRidder         Brent Leigh, Sarah Manson, Lorne Haverick, Meagan Bradley, Karen Rasmusson, Rex Wallace, Sherri Fee, Jim Routledge

Hal Ostlund, Kirsten Elliot, Dave Fleishman, Vicki Carmichael, John Robinson, Barry Fenton, Linda Rawlings, John Moon, Allison Ann Drake, Geoff Barker

Bonnie Kellar,Pat Madden,Wendy Copeland,Jan Johnson,??, Jane McDonald,Carmen Cook,Frances Madden, Jane Osborne, Lou Ann Walker, Diane or Deb Kepkay

                 Tad Luckey, Sean Crickmer, Alan Debou, John Milne, Bruce Harper, Rick Loch, Gary Yorke, Chris Woodcock

Good memory Geoff Barker - from a lunch we had in March of 1992

On the occasion of the 40th High School Reunion of Sentinel High School in West Vancouver, I thought it appropriate to share this treasure from my Memorabilia Box.  Many of the people from Westcot Elementary went on to Sentinel.  I actually only spent 1 year at Sentinel - Grade 9 but really, really enjoyed seeing & sharing with the Sentinel grads at their 30th reunion.  In fact if anyone can send me a copy of the email I sent to Andy Marvin that night please do - I recall it was a good account of my impressions.  I could not make the party tonight - no good reason really, I am kicking myself already for not trying harder to get there.  Perhaps I will get an account from someone.

Please if anyone can fill in the one missing name - please let me know.

Black Rock - character building or just crazy

Good moment captured by fellow rower Bruce Goard near Sudbury Ontario. Yes thats me - I was there last month participating in a rehearsal for the FISA (stands for World Rowing Association in another language) 2012 Masters Rowing Tour. We stopped for a swim during a day of rowing the French River area.

The drop is about 40 feet - I followed Joanne - a crazy doctor from Guelph, off the cliff. She came up spluttering and gasping having knocked the wind out of herself. That was about the worst of it though. The 3 of us, including Richard from Ottawa were hooting with glee after making the plunge.

It is an interesting process for an "analyser" type like me, to ignore certain bits of information that are in total conflict with assessments from other points of view. I mean that from here it looked fun, from up there - terrifying. Yet I went anyways. What is that about?

As I get older my comfort zone gets smaller and harder - for me this was about exercising the courage muscle. Doing things that I know others have done, that I am reasonably well prepared for and that I know will be satisfying to look back on.

It took me about 1/10th of a second after stepping off the cliff to realize that this was going to be fun and that I wanted to do it again. It is funny though - about at the point of this picture I recall vividly thinking that "I really should be there by now","did I do something wrong......" I reanalyzed the entire decision process again in that instant and concluded that altering course was simply not an option - I was committed to see this decision thru.

I simultaneously saw, heard & felt the water's firm embrace slowing me............ ya - going fast is still fun.

North End Nanaimo-Low Barrier Housing

Good, now we know where, Hammond Bay & Uplands - at least the wondering can stop. I am more chagrined, right at the moment, about the time I have wasted thinking of where it might be going than at any concern about the actual choice that was made.

It is a good location - for many of the same reasons that I like where I am (1/2 mile away). It is close to Woodgrove and all the transportation & service options.

It is right next door to a fire station. It is also right next door to a large seniors living facility and backs onto a regional library administration building. There are residential multiunit developments across the street and a high school in the next block. It is not however, right next door to me. I know I would feel different if it was.

I wonder though why I would feel different if it was - is it because I know whats going to happen and its all bad or because I know that there have been many protests about other locations?

I may be different because I have dug into this a bit. This being the whole issue of substance abuse & homelessness. I have learned about what is already going on in our community in the way of group homes, treatment facilities, drug & alcohol counselling, aid and addiction services. I have learned something about the history and the growth of the issue. I have some idea of the future projections based on the experience of similar communities. I am at least a bit prepared for this. I know people that live and work in this "other" world every day. Its part of what Nanaimo is, was and will be. It is natural or as natural as can possibly be. I thank goodness we have a system, many dont.

I actually think that I would feel different because I am indeed very curious. I'd almost rather have it where I can see whats going on. It is drama, neighbour behaviour to judge and criticize - how natural is that? Or maybe even learn more about the process and maybe even participate in some meaningful way. Its hard to say - I am glad to now know, at least where to look.

Character Building in Nanaimo's Old City Area

Good work was done recently by the local business & building industry in a concerted effort to ensure zoning rules are used for the purpose for which they were intended.

"WHEREAS the principal purpose of this Bylaw is to guide the natural growth of the municipality in a systematic and orderly way for the ultimate benefit of the community as a whole by ensuring that the various uses made of land and structures in the municipality develop in proper relationship to one another" - page 1 of Bylaw 4500

A bylaw amendment to lower building height was defeated 6-3. Residential buildings can now be 9meters tall, about 2 & 1/2 feet more than in the previous 19 years. The main proponents of the lower height were concerned about view protection.

There is still a pending amendment to bylaw 4500 that warrants ongoing attention. Councellor Pattje made the "NOCA" motion at the same time, Aug 8, as the one that was defeated Monday. It is currently the subject of a survey to property owners of the area it affects - the Nanaimo Old City Area. 3 features of Bylaw4500 (Lot size, carriage house and corner duplexs) are being considered for reversal as a means to protect this area's “character”.

What is character? And is it damaged, limited or otherwise negatively affected by the size of a lot, the shape of a garage or the existence of a corner duplex. Is more people in a neighbourhood good? I am working on the questions. I need more information & am hoping for an invite to attend the upcoming NOCA annual general meeting to gain insight.

I used to live in that area. 117 Pine St was my address of a stately restored character home. It was our first home in Nanaimo. It had striped fabric awnings over the windows, big green laurel hedge, secret rooms leading off bedrooms into the attic. The kids loved them. The old shower heads were the best I have ever had, the kitchen had a garbage/wood/coal burning compartment on the side of the old electric stove. The cabinets all had glass fronts. It was a cool place - even the exterior was delicious - a kind of apricot stucco. That house has character.

We had a black lab dog. Her very first move in our previous home was to track soot from the woodstove all over the carpets. Hence she was called "Cinders" or Cindy for short. I would take Cindy for walks in the nearby cemetery where I threw a stick and read headstones. What a tale is told there - Chinese worker #121 died in flood of coal mine under Nanaimo harbour, Great fire of this date killed many, Protection Island mine cave in, Fishing tragedy, on and on - that place more than any other experience in my 30 years here gave me my sense of where Nanaimo has come from. That place has character. It also happened to be the scene of my scariest dog drama. One day Cinders stooped to pick up a long skinny stick end on, at a full run. The "other" end caught the grass, her end pierced the inside of her mouth and went down & down. It thankfully went along the side of her neck between the fur and flesh. I was there in a heartbeat and pulled it out like a sword from a scabbard - a good 18". That built some character.

I do believe that city wide benefits is very much what was fought for and won this past Monday night. The rights and value transferred to property owners is real. Being able to make the most efficient use of land is important to me no matter where I live. I might be ready & willing to give up those rights and that value in the name of "character" if there was some assurance that it would work, that the interest I sought to protect would prosper and endure. I just dont know but maybe I am missing something.

The logic of using a line on a map to determine where an interest should be protected more or less, has failed. We have had special areas with special rules for years with little effect except to slow down & complicate the process of growth.

I once again respectfully submit that "guiding growth for benefit of the whole" is more about overall efficiency than protecting any special interest.

My proposal, irregardless of the outcome of Mr Pattje's motion, is that the process of "character building" continue in the NOCA. It goes deeper here than anywhere else in the city. Preserve and promote this body of experience. I gained from it. I know others will.

How can I help?

GOOD Process, Balanced Results

Wow - I didnt expect last nights results.  Council voted in favour of 9meters.  Bylaw 4500 is alive and well, unscathed, unmodified, as it was intended.  Like a baby born a bit premature - shaky start but the legs moved last night.

I hoped & planned for such a positive outcome but had serious doubts.

This morning I met with a supporter of the amendment, someone on the opposite side of the issue from me.  The meeting was set up a few days ago just after the public hearing.  I was prepared to do some serious selling in hopes of gaining his support for my cause.   I learned much about that side of the issue.  I found myself selling my side just as hard as if last night's results had been the opposite.  We came away smiling, shaking hands and with new information and ideas to follow up on.  It was a pleasure to have made a good connection.

I do feel both the process and results were good.  I can also say the same about my previous experience before council where I failed to get the results I wanted.   My council vote score on things I wanted is now even at 1 & 1.   It is nice to win - I truly believe in the long term benefits of the decision.  Now I hope that in a year or more from now, that I can show the results I claim are available.  The biggest disservice I can do to the "other side" in this "fight" would be to squander the opportunity that has been won.  That would really be a waste of everyone's time if nothing good came of it.

So, the moral is that the process never ends, challenge and conflict can be good to bring people together and support each other.  Its important to be real, to be honest and to be positive.  Either way life goes on and its just way nicer to feel good.  And that its time to get to work.  

Blogging is ok - I prefer the real thing though :)

regards

Jim R

HEIGHT VOTE RECORD #3

Nanaimo Council voted tonight 3rd reading of Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2011 No. 4500.004

Agenda Item 13d Moved by Councellor Pattje:
That "Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 2011 4500.004" (To set maximum allowable height within select Residential zones at the heights generally specified in the Residential zones of the previous "ZONING BYLAW 1993 NO. 4000) pass third reading.

Seconded by Bill Holdom

FOR the motion:
BILL HOLDOM
LLOYD SHERRY
FRED PATTJE

AGAINST the motion
TED GREVES
BILL BESTWICK
JOHN RUTTAN
DIANA JOHNSTON
JIM KIPP
MERV UNGER

The motion fails - yippee

LETS GET TO WORK

Nanaimo single home construction down 50%

Disturbing numbers I learned today confirm what I've seen for months now - new home construction is slow in Nanaimo. Single family starts are clearly way down.

Analysis of yearly data going back 20 years for both:
1) home plan sales for 1 Nanaimo firm
2) Nanaimo building permits

show construction down 50%

The last 8 years for 2) has seen an average of 400 per year. This year so far 157. We might hit 200.

How much worse does it have to get before Nanaimo City Council will wake up and if not support its Construction Community, at least stop hurting it with regressive zoning rules?

Good job needs the right tool

My first idea when I heard the height reduction amendment was to apply new rules to new lots and old for old. That would protect views behind empty lots & would suit my needs too or so I thought at the time - I am working in a 20 yr old area with a 1 acre piece of land to create 7 lots.

I dont know if anyone actually did try to work the old4old & new4new idea in to the amendment but it is not there now & I now know why. I have since had much more information on many options. Height has been an active issue for some people in Nanaimo for literally decades. Many ideas have been carefully considered, some tried. The New4new/Old4old idea fails basically because of problems figuring what is new & old. Imagine if the empty lot by you was deemed old and subject to the old rules. That is fine until such time it might be subdivided, then would the 2 new lots be new or old, would 2 lot subdivisions be old and 3 or more new - where do you draw the line and why. Maybe I thought, an "it depends" clause kicks in and the new/old decision goes to a "variance" application and the time, expense & uncertainty associated with that process. The more I try to be selective, the more arbitrary and complicated the solution process becomes. Selective treatment simply was never intended with the "zoning bylaw" tool.

That, in more general terms, is what I have come to realize. The Zoning Bylaw is a tool that does have a specific purpose.

The following is from Page 1 of the Zoning Bylaw:

"WHEREAS the principal purpose of this Bylaw is to guide the natural growth of the municipality in a systematic and orderly way for the ultimate benefit of the community as a whole by ensuring that the various uses made of land and structures in the municipality develop in proper relationship to one another"

I respectfully submit that "guiding growth for benefit of whole" is more about overall efficiency than protecting any specific interest.

Having said that views can be protected. There is a better, more secure way. The owner of a property can agree to limit the height. This limit can be registered on title. It can be enforced against future owners if the property changes hands.

Just like any task - there is a tool and a process best suited to accomplish each. Lets use the right tool for the job and make a good job of each.

This would be too high

STOP THE DROP - RECORD OF COUNCILLOR VOTING

1) New Zoning Bylaw passed unanimously.

2) Height Reduction Amendment motion by Bill Holdom, passed unanimously.

3) First & Second Reading of Amendment

passed unanimously

Have a good day Susan

Easily the economic highlight of this council's term. Mayor Ruttan deserves high praise for delivering a professional approach to Economic Development. It promises to provide substance to our good intentions. A trained & experienced economic focus can only serve to add weight in issues like the current residential building height debate.

The new CEO starts on the job Oct 17, the very day that council is scheduled to pass final reading on the residential building height reduction bylaw amendment.

There are few real tools available for a city to promote itself, to compete with and to stand out.

Losing a competitive residential building height limit will hurt, it will send out a poor message.

Nanaimo claims to support its OCP. Will it fail at this chance to actually do so?

It will be a good day - welcome to Nanaimo Susan

City Log: Nanaimo Economic Development Corporation hires its first chief

City Log: Nanaimo Economic Development Corporation hires its first chief

Derek Spalding, The Daily News

Published: Saturday, September 03, 2011

Susan Cudahy of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities will take over as CEO of the newly formed Nanaimo Economic Development Corporation.

Interim board members of this quasi-independent group selected Cudahy for the crucial position and made their announcement Friday.

Cudahy takes on the position Oct. 17, at which time she will work on branding the corporation and forming a permanent board of directors. Interim co-chairwoman Moira Jenkins applauded the board's decision.

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Cudahy is the senior manager of client services for the national programs division of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. She held the offices of inaugural president and CEO of the Greater Peterborough Area Economic Development Corporation and general manager of the Waterloo Regional Marketing Corporation.

Her private sector resume includes senior management experience within the automotive alternative fuels market and the natural gas utility sectors. Her experience with economic development and tourism marketing is extensive.

"The board of directors is very excited that we are able to attract a high-calibre individual like Susan to help us achieve success," Jenkins said. "We're looking forward to her joining our team."

The NED Corporation will take on all aspects of economic development and tourism marketing as Nanaimo gets ready for new investors.

Stop the Drop - Why extra height is needed

I wish I had a dollar for every time someone has told me "back east, everyone has a basement".  I tended to think that west people are different, that maybe the market here has less clutter and stuff in their lives, and has evolved beyond the ancient easterners.

I recently returned from a trip to Ontario where I visited all 3 of my cousins there.  If they are any indication,  the stories are correct - everyone had a basement.  There were 4 in fact, as one cousin was moving from one place to another.  What was interesting to me was the lifestyle options that this afforded each.  There were things I had never thought of, options I never considered - yeesh just when I thought I had it all figured out the "market" tells me something else.  Having lived in the west almost all my life I really have not seen much of how the other half lives.

 One was what is called a semi-detatched which I call half a duplex, near to downtown Toronto.  Nice old area, brick everywhere.  Family of 4 with 2 teenagers.  The bedrooms on the top or 3rd level served well till the oldest needed space and the basement had a bedroom & bathroom added.  I am sure the family with 2 young ones in a non basement half duplex across the street from me here in Nanaimo, would love to have that option.  Cost to add an unfinished full basement is about 20 to 30% more.  Pretty good value for your money considering it adds 50% more space.

Two & Three was the mover - from a big older rental "rancher" style with a basement which we stayed in along with the contents of the actual home owner and much of my cousins stuff too.  They are moving to another of those semi detached 3 level jobs.  The basement there had a big room and a workshop.  They are recently retired and have a sailboat, so the workshop is a bonus & alot will get stored in that basement when they go to their winter place down south.

Four was a farm, a 3 level home with bedrooms all over that put up the guests that come for the "penning" competitions that we participated in.  No the horses and cattle have do not stay in the basement.  Every "thing" living or mechanical has its own warm place there.  

The point of all this is that space is valuable, space is value.  It gives people options.
None of the houses I have built have basements or could have under the old rules.   I was looking forward to doing some in my next project under the new rules with the extra height given under the New Zoning Bylaw.  Now before anyone has had a chance to build anything, mere weeks after adopting the new rules, our council wants to revert to the old rules.

Good, I say - there is a good reason for this.  I know there is a good reason.  I just cant think of what it is at the moment.

Stop the Drop

Nanaimo Council is poised to deliver a knockdown punch to the community on Monday night. The community as a whole will suffer if the zoning bylaw amendment passes to reduce home building height. 3rd reading of Bylaw4500.0004 is Monday night - please come out and show your concern.