The QUALICUM Beach Residents Association is hosting an All Candidates Meeting on Tuesday, October 2nd at the Civic Centre starting at 7 pm. After introductory statements and some general questions, it will be opened to written questions from the floor and, if time permits, oral questions. Please let all your friends and neighbours know about this meeting as it is one of the few chances to meet all the candidates and get some idea of their views on civic concerns.
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Section Head September 2, 2018
Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resources Operations Rural Development 142 – 2080 Labiuex Road Nanaimo, BC V9T 6J9 sent via electronic mail Dear Sir or Madam: This letter is being sent on behalf of the Qualicum Beach Residents’ Association Board of Directors regarding the Disposition of Crown Land File #1414799, the application from the Town of Qualicum Beach. By unanimous vote, the Board requested this letter to express our strong opposition to the disposition of the Crown Land in question to facilitate proposed works by the Town at the intersection of Memorial Avenue and Highway 19A. It is our understanding the Town request is to enable four components:
We would also like to make clear we support the use of roundabouts as a respected method for many, but not all intersections. This intersection is not appropriate for a roundabout. It is an intersection with entry and exit points in close proximity serving the gas station and resort motel. It is an intersection with high pedestrian traffic as it is used for beach access. Add to this mix a relatively high use of cyclists with Town plans to enhance this use by building dedicated cyclist lanes. There was a pedestrian fatality near this intersection several years ago. In response, the Town installed a pedestrian activated cross walk-signalized light. We believe if the Town determines the need to further improve this intersection, it should be done with traffic lights. This would not require intrusion of Crown Land. A recent petition was circulated in protest of building the roundabout. To be clear, the 875 signatories were only protesting the roundabout – not the elements to improve Town infrastructure or protect and enhance our environment. We urge you to carefully consider the motivation for the Town’s application request and to reject that request as an unnecessary and undesired use of Crown Land. Respectfully , Lance R. Nater President, Qualicum Beach Residents’ Association Section Head
Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resources Operations Rural Development 142 – 2080 Labiuex Road Nanaimo, BC V9T 6J9 (sent via electronic mail) Dear Section Head September 2, 2018 I am writing to voice my concerns, observations, and opposition to the application submitted by the Town of Qualicum Beach: Disposition of Crown Land File #1414799. At the outset I will say that I support the general concerns off enhancing the Beach Creek estuary with improved stormwater outflow, and increasing resiliency to extreme weather events. However in 1.1 of the Management Plan (MP) it’s stated that; “This project is primarily for ecological benefit.” This is a fundamentally misleading characterization of this project. The scope and extent of the applicant’s incursion into into the Crown intertidal zone is completely predicated on accommodating the construction of a new roundabout at this intersection. I find the fact that there is not one mention of the new roundabout in the whole Management Plan to be a failure of public disclosure on the part of the applicant. It should be noted for the record that there has been no public consultation between the Town and residents regarding this proposal. Notwithstanding my previous points, I have the following concerns regarding the Management Plan: 1.2 Investigative Work - The applicant states that : The public is strongly supportive of improving the Town’s shoreline to a natural beach profile..” The scale of the application is dictated by the roundabout and results in construction of a very large artificial headland that intrudes well seaward of the current natural boundary. This rock and boulder headland will not be seen by residents as consistent with the “natural beach profile” in the least. 1.4 First Nations Consultation - The Town has undertaken no consultation of public record with the local Qualicum First Nations Band regarding this application, despite this coastline being part of their ancestral home. This would appear to be a fundamental omission of public process necessary for the Crown to be assured that this project has broad based public interest. 4.1.2 Soil Disturbance - It is not clear to me how the Town can state there is no “potential for disturbance of archaeological, paleontological fossils or historical artifacts”. The Town has records on file indicating that this stretch of coastline has a number of locations where archeological sites have been identified. 4.1.3 Riparian Encroachment - The extent of the proposed riparian encroachment is not warranted for habitat enhancement purposes and extreme weather resiliency, but rather a requirement of accommodating a traffic circle. 4.1.5 Visual Impacts - The seaward extension of the rock headland will significantly alter the visual character of this stretch of the Qualicum Beach shoreline. The shallow sloping sand flats of Qualicum’s beach are a major attraction to summer residents and tourists. No material has been submitted by the Town that indicate that visual impacts from nearby properties and from the beach have been considered. The rock headland will be the only man made structure extending significantly beyond the natural shoreline in all of Qualicum Beach. As such, this alteration to the natural shoreline should have been put before the public for comment prior to being submitted to the Crown for approval. 4.1.6 Archaeological Sites - It is not clear to me how the Town can state there is no “potential for disturbance of archaeological, paleontological fossils or historical artifacts”. The Town has records on file indicating that this stretch of coastline has a number of locations where archeological sites have been identified. - An AIA should have been conducted as part of the Town’s efforts to prove ‘due process’ to it’s residents, and to address the subject of ‘archaeological sites’ with some degree of third party professional assurance. 5.1.1 Land Management Plans and Regional Growth Strategies - The applicant states: “Town of Qualicum Beach Official Community Plan: Strongly supportive of proposed project.” - Residents familiar with the Town’s OCP and The Waterfront Master Plan, could easily take issue with this contention. While the environmental goals of the application are consistent with the Town’s OCP and Waterfront Master Plan, the inclusion of a roundabout clearly contradicts major goals of those documents. Both documents state a priority on reducing traffic flows, and enhanced pedestrian and cyclist safety and access. Without public consultation that has affirmed that the proposal is compatible with our OCP, the Town’s claim must be seen as without foundation. I will summarize in stating:
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AuthorMembers and friends of QBRA are invited to write blogs on our site. They will be posted as a source of information and discussion on local issues. The QBRA Board takes no position unless otherwise stated. Contact qbra@shaw.ca. Archives
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