Qualicum Beach Residents Association (QBRA) Blog - Qualicum Beach Residents' Association (QBRA)

Letter from Joseph Dennie on the roundabout

8/29/2018

Section Head
Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resources Operations
Rural Development
142 - 2080 Labiuex Rd
Nanaimo, BC
V9T 6J9

Regarding the Disposition of Crown Land File #1414799, application from Town of Qualicum Beach.

I wish to oppose this application only in regard to the addition of the proposed roundabout included in this application for this license.

There is absolutely no requirement for this roundabout at this location. To my knowledge there has never been an accident at this T intersection.

This is our namesake, our beach area and the proximity to a hotel, limited parking and a gas station make this undertaking of a roundabout a disaster waiting to happen, not-withstanding the history of roundabouts.

I do not oppose the application for the work required for re-establishment of the estuary and foreshore, sanitary sewer upgrade, bike path and retaining wall that this License is required to carry out the work on the foreshore to re-establish the estuary, enhancement of Beach Creek and increase resiliency to foreshore erosion.

I went door to door in Eaglecrest here in Qualicum Beach. The residents are not in support of this proposed roundabout. On the whole, in the community I was able to garner 875 signatures that oppose the construction of a roundabout at this location. We suggest that should a license be granted, it should be only for the re-establishment of the estuary and foreshore, sanitary sewer upgrade, bike path and retaining wall.

I know the residents associations here in the community are also non-supportive of this roundabout.

Please take this into consideration prior to issuing a license to the Town.

Respectfully submitted

Joseph E. Dennie
960 Royal Dornoch Drive
Qualicum Beach, BC
V9K 1E1
289 816 2411
Ps: I am copying 137 parties in this community for FYI.

QBRA Requests More Information on the Roundabout

6/15/2018

Dear Mr. Mayor and Councillors,

I am writing this letter on behalf of the Qualicum Beach Residents’ Association board of directors. As a result of several lengthy discussions by the directors and fielding many questions from our members and the general public, we have very serious reservations about the logic and cost benefit of the proposed roundabout.

We realize this opinion comes late in the process, long after a grant of $1.4 million was announced. Nevertheless, based on what we know and from the comments we have heard, we cannot support this project as it has been presented. We regard a grant as a redistribution of taxpayer funds and do no believe acquiring a grant should, in itself, justify this or any other project.

It is our view that the proposed redesign of the 19A and Memorial intersection to a roundabout is not an improvement in vehicle or pedestrian movement. The location and entry/exit of the Shell station is a significant obstacle. We do not believe this proposed redesign was suitably explained to the general public. Dave Golson served on the Waterfront working committee and does not recall the roundabout being discussed to any extent.
I served on the Public Safety Committee and do not recall any discussion about converting the subject intersection to a roundabout.

The QBRA board is not opposed to roundabouts. We are opposed to this proposed application at a three way intersection. This opinion was unanimous among our seven board members.

In reading the Town announcement of the grant, it highlights key improvements that will result. This is a well used pedestrian intersection. Based on our observations with the Rupert/Memorial roundabout, we do not think safety for cyclists or pedestrians would be improved. Many of the other infrastructure,transportation and environmental gains, we believe, could be realized without a roundabout at this site. The underground work necessary could all be accomplished without a roundabout. Traffic calming for the beachfront would be no more effective then the Rupert roundabout where speeds along Memorial are not impaired.

Clearly, the directors of the QBRA board and many members of the general public do not understand what the merits of this roundabout are and by not understanding, they are very much opposed.

We strongly suggest the Town take a step back to justify this roundabout to the general public. Based on our experience, either the Town has failed to make a convincing justification to residents or the design is of very questionable merit. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely, Lance Nater
President, QBRA

Memorial Avenue Roundabout

5/22/2018

Dear Mr. Mayor and Councillors,

I am writing this letter on behalf of the Qualicum Beach Residents’ Association board of directors. As a result of several lengthy discussions by the directors and fielding many questions from our members and the general public, we have very serious reservations about the logic and cost benefit of the proposed roundabout.

We realize this opinion comes late in the process, long after a grant of $1.4 million was announced. Nevertheless, based on what we know and from the comments we have heard, we cannot support this project as it has been presented. We regard a grant as a redistribution of taxpayer funds and do no believe acquiring a grant should, in itself, justify this or any other project.

It is our view that the proposed redesign of the 19A and Memorial intersection to a roundabout is not an improvement in vehicle or pedestrian movement. The location and entry/exit of the Shell station is a significant obstacle. We do not believe this proposed redesign was suitably explained to the general public. Dave Golson served on the Waterfront working committee and does not recall the roundabout being discussed to any extent.
I served on the Public Safety Committee and do not recall any discussion about converting the subject intersection to a roundabout.

The QBRA board is not opposed to roundabouts. We are opposed to this proposed application at a three way intersection. This opinion was unanimous among our seven board members.

In reading the Town announcement of the grant, it highlights key improvements that will result. This is a well used pedestrian intersection. Based on our observations with the Rupert/Memorial roundabout, we do not think safety for cyclists or pedestrians would be improved. Many of the other infrastructure,transportation and environmental gains, we believe, could be realized without a roundabout at this site. The underground work necessary could all be accomplished without a roundabout. Traffic calming for the beachfront would be no more effective then the Rupert roundabout where speeds along Memorial are not impaired.

Clearly, the directors of the QBRA board and many members of the general public do not understand what the merits of this roundabout are and by not understanding, they are very much opposed.

We strongly suggest the Town take a step back to justify this roundabout to the general public. Based on our experience, either the Town has failed to make a convincing justification to residents or the design is of very questionable merit. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely, Lance Nater
President, QBRA

Time to Speak Up--Committee of the Whole May 16

5/15/2018

Woman attacked in Qualicum Beach

3/20/2018

A woman was attacked Friday, March 9, 2018, about 8:30pm on Hoylake Road West.
She was walking up Hoylake from Arbutus. She passed a man at the corner of Arbutus and Hoylake Road West who was smoking a joint. He followed her and pushed her down to the ground. She fell to the ground in front of 423 Hoylake Road West. She screamed and he then tried to cover her mouth, Then he ran off.
The man is about 5'6" or 5'7" tall. Dark brown hair. Also has a mustache. He was wearing a plaid shirt, puffy vest and jeans. He spoke with an accent.
If you have any information or do see this man, please contact the RCMP.

Report on Health in our area by Dave Golson our FORA rep.

2/20/2018

Latest FORA Health Update following meeting with Island Health representatives.( Dr Drew Digney, Executive Medical Director NRGH and Shelley Gallant Director OHC). We meet quarterly.

NRGH- Greater use of Operating rooms in winter and less in summer to accommodate seasonal demands of both staff and patients. Electronic record system under government review with our area being the pilot area, not to be expanded elsewhere at this time.

New Government- More focus on mental health, addictions, community services and less on hip and knee surgeries
Wait times for Tests
CT Scan MRI Ultrasound
Urgent 1 day 1 day 2 days
ASAP 20 days 18 days 15 days
Semi Urgent 121 days 118 days 30 days
Routine 195 days 180 days 155 days

Oceanside Health Centre- Urgent Care visits still averaging 68/ day. Complex care patients to be seen in 4 hours or less and simple cases in 2 with success rate of 90 and 80% respectively. Financial compensation plan is working well here for the staff.

Primary Care seeing 730 appointments per month using 3 salaried nurse practitioners backed by urgent care doctors only when required. They have 1800 patients with 25 added per month. At this rate their fee equates to that just below the lowest GP fee.The use of NP's province wide is being studied by the government.
The search for primary care doctors is still ongoing with a reviewed pay scale to be put in place with a plan of 3 or 4 eventually expanding services to 7 day week, 12 hour days.

14 Heart patients seen per day via the ECHO programme.
OHC has 2 psychiatrists.

Local health authorities being subdivided to better care for local demands.

No plans for any expansion at OHC.

Telehealth and home care monitoring available now for certain patients with geriatric, psychiatric, ms, heart and copd issues. FORA questioned how these services were advertised to the public and local docs?

End of Life- 6th hospice bed added at Trillium Lodge with 75% occupancy rate and average19 day stay. Now supported 24/7 by RN, LPN and health care
aid at night.

Medically Assisted Deaths(MAiD)- 25 in Oceanside, 355 on VI over 18 months. Only 1 local doctor with patients having to go outside of the area.

Residential Care Beds
- total of 378 in Parksville with 53 assisted living, 3 respite, 6 end of life.
- total of 225 in Qualicum Beach, 30 assisted living.
- total of 848 in Nanaimo, 98 assisted living, 2 respite.
There are no plans for any new beds which take 4 to 5 years to put in place.

Qualicum Beach Bans Age Restricted Housing

1/23/2018

It seems our Town Council, with a 3 -2 vote has decided to ban future buildings from applying “adults only” age restrictions. If adopted by Council on January 29, our Town will be the only municipality in Canada imposing such a ban.
The arguments made to support this ban include comments such as,”…this will demonstrate to young families and those with children that they really are welcome to live in Qualicum Beach.” “We need to change the demographics and this will help.” Somehow it is thought this action will “free up” more housing for younger people. Other Council members stated it would be good for all of us to co-mingle generations in future housing.

CHEK NEWS briefly covered this subject and took a survey among viewers. Do you favour a municipality banning age restricted housing, yes or no. Of the 761 votes received, 66% were opposed to the idea and 34% were in favour.

Despite the fact that Councillor Horner offered a notice of motion on this subject in July 2017, to my knowledge Council made no effort to use the OCP process or the Quality of Life Survey to get a better sense of public opinion. Five residents spoke at the public hearing stating their opposition to the amendment. Council asked no questions.

It seems that the Town has become so preoccupied with wanting to alter demographics that it is prepared to discriminate against seniors who would prefer to live with others of their generation. It should be noted that the Town is basing their youth and family retention strategy on a study done nine years ago. The authors were primarily employed by the School District and the report was done at the height of uncertainty over the future of KSS.

If adopted on January 29, this bylaw will essentially freeze age-defined housing in Qualicum Beach to that which exists today. If you are looking forward to living and perhaps retiring to a building that welcomes families and children and if you have no problem with Councillors limiting your choices of how you may live, then you have no problem. You are among the 34% in the CHEK poll.

On the other hand, if you feel this amendment is an over-reach of Council authority that limits your freedom of choice as a property owner or strata member and contradicts senior adult human rights, you should be concerned. You are among the 66% in the CHEK poll.

After lengthy discussion of the pros and cons, the seven QBRA board members voted 5 opposed, 1 in favour, and 1 undecided.
If you have an opinion you should make it known to Town staff.

Lance Nater

OCP Discussion and AGM

10/5/2017

Two important events are happening at the Civic Centre on October 21 beginning at 1 PM. First, in cooperation with the Town’s Planning Dept. we hope to learn how the Town has interpreted the Quality of Life Survey results that many of us completed this summer. Understanding how the Town is evaluating the results is critical to our understanding of how our responses will be reflected in the Official Community Plan.

The Town has determined key issues or topics that have been grouped into seven themes. Those themes are:

The Town’s Role in Housing
Community Wellness
Identifying Future Areas for Development
Tourism
Transportation in the Municipality
Managing our Ecological Assets
The Town and Governance

While these themes contain important topics, the QBRA Board decided it would be most beneficial and productive to focus discussion on three themes: The Town’s Role in Housing, Identifying Future Areas for Development, and the Town and Governance. These themes include some of the most contentious issues that residents have faced over the past six years. This would include building height, densification, rental and affordable housing. Future Development areas are self-explanatory. Another way to look at this is where should future development not happen?
The theme Town and Governance is not so clear. Basically the Town, our elected officials, and we residents have been abusing and misusing the Official Community Plan. When opposed to a given project, Town officials and residents refer to the Official Community Plan as a document containing facts that should not be changed or compromised. On the other hand, those in support of a given project that is not consistent with the OCP refer to the OCP as a long-term planning document that is only updated every six years. There is also the question of what is meant by a “full” OCP review? This was a significant issue between the Town and the RDN about four years ago. Do we have a better answer now?
The second part of the October 21 meeting is for the QBRA to hold the Annual General Meeting. We need to do this to satisfy the Provincial Societies Act. This meeting is also essential for the QBRA to continue, as it has since 1972. We are lacking in members and people willing to participate on the Board. If this sounds like a plea for help, you are correct. I have heard criticisms of the QBRA. Either we do nothing or we support the wrong things. If you are among the critics, why not join the QBRA as a member and volunteer to serve on the Board? You may find that to be a productive way to have your opinions heard.
The QBRA has been responsible for hosting a municipal all-candidates meeting. The QBRA was instrumental in encouraging the Town to video council meetings. It took several years! On behalf of the QBRA Board, I hope you can join us on October 21. You do not need to be a member to attend but we would be very pleased if you became a QBRA member before you leave.
Sincerely, Lance Nater
Qualicum Beach Residents’ Association (QBRA)

Operation Sweeper

5/2/2017

On May 3, 2017, Emergency Communications Teams and Emergency Program Coordinators from around Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, the Lower Mainland and Washington State will be participating in Exercise Sweeper. This communication exercise, came as a result of Exercise Coast Response, designed to test and practice emergency communications from between Emergency Operations Centres, Emergency Management BC, aircrafts and communities.

The military has also been invited to participate in Exercise Sweeper, resulting in low flying aircraft and aircraft noise. Throughout the day, aircraft will be flying between 1000-1500 ft to enable low-interference for communications. These aircraft will also be collecting imagery of the areas that have been requested by appropriate municipalities.
Thank you for your patience and we apologize for any inconvenience.

Any questions, please contact Rob Daman, Emergency Program Coordinator, 250.927.5108

Trees, Safety and Memorial Avenue

4/19/2017

http://www.qualicumbeach.com/news-release-march-30-2017

Please open up the town link above or go to the town website main home page showing the Memorial Ave/19A roundabout with no signalized pedestrian crossings(3off each with central island to regain ones calm), a reference to a heat exchange system with no benefits explained and no references to adjacent business accesses(Shell and Q Beach Inn).No detail of reduced diameter turning circle required either.
I counted 30 large coniferous trees and many more somewhat scraggy deciduous trees will need removing just between Village Way and Sunningdale Rd East in the next construction phase. Hopefully none between Sunningdale Rd and Hoylake Roads will be removed as the road is to be moved 2 metres Westward to avoid having power poles in the middle of the new 3m "pedestrian only" pathway with cycle routing both sides of the shared vehicular road section, if it can be safely fitted in?
When will accurate depictions for the complete $5.6mm project be released to the public?
Dave Golson