Bowen Bulletin

Before getting into Snug Cove planning, the Cape Roger Curtis developers have just updated their website and here are a few paraphrased highlights.

CRC Joint Venture (will be) restricting public access. (They will) now take steps to (work on) fencing access points, hiring a security guard, installing a security guardhouse, and requesting the local detachment of the RCMP to assist in evicting trespassers.

Construction of a driveway/service road from the end of Whitesails Drive to the site of a potential residence to be located in the southwest corner of the Cape Roger Curtis lands has started and will continue throughout the next few months as equipment and construction personnel are available.

To … prevent fire, and to control a fire should one occur … the current network of trails (will) be expanded throughout the property in order to make the trails accessible by fire fighters and their support vehicles. CRC Joint Venture (has) applied for a Development Permit to expand the trail network on the property for the purpose of enhanced fire protection. The same application includes plans for a water reservoir.

In planning for the development of the property, CRC Joint Venture will also be applying for a Development Permit to conduct geotechnical investigations by collecting soil samples and digging test holes throughout the property.

Now, back to Snug Cove

September mornings are fresh and alive and all seems right with the world. Summer holidays are over and its time to get down to work. Hopefully that’s how our Municipal Councilors are feeling. Their Snug Cove Action Plan may be the monster that will devour them. The amount of wisdom, goodwill and just plain hard work required to pull this off is enormous.

So here’s what’s happening. They have formed three working groups, one for Community Facilities, one for ferry marshalling and transportation planning and another to make recommendations on the ultimate uses for the Surplus Lands. If this process were to follow the typical Bowen Island scenario it would get hopelessly bogged down within a matter of two or three months. In anticipation of the problem, council has made several decisions to help keep things on track.

They’re budgeting $20,000 to $30,000 this year and promising more in next year’s budget if needed.

With this money they are hiring the professional expertise needed to give the working groups the practical information needed for decision making.

The working groups will not be asking the public what they think. We have a long history of good work being sidetracked by special interest groups sabotaging the process. In this case the public won’t have input until after the working groups have submitted their final reports to council.

Council will select the members of the working groups based on their expertise and ability to make significant contributions. No attempt will be made to ensure that any special interest groups are represented.

A single Community Planner will work with all of the groups to ensure continuity.

It all sounds pretty good. There are just a few flies in the ointment. First of all there’s the issue of sewer and water. These items are just money, but the question is “How much money?” If we have to undertake a million dollar upgrade to the sewer system then this has to be part of the information given to the working groups.

There’s also the matter of third party interests. If I were on the ferry-marshalling group I would love to report to council that the GVRD was receptive to our plan and BC Ferries was prepared to split the cost. But what are the odds that Municipal staff will let the group’s representative even talk to outside agencies, let alone feel them out about a potential deal.

Then there’s the issue of how much money we need to recoup from the surplus lands and how are we going to pay for community facilities and ferry marshalling. Selling a portion of the land to pay off the mortgage is easy and straightforward. Selling a bit more land to pay for the service upgrades required to facilitate the initial sales is understandable. Selling a bit more land to help pay for a new Municipal Hall is an idea. Selling more to pay for a Performing Arts Centre may be a stretch. Selling some more to pay for the reconfiguration of Government Road for ferry line-ups could cause some to wonder just why we would want to sell our community land bank to cater to the ferry.

This all brings us back to our working groups, their composition, their mandates and their support. The timelines are tight and the success or failure of the entire undertaking will be very easy to measure. The project is doable but far from easy. All one can do is wish the participants well and keep a close eye on how things unfold.