I look forward to the day when light industrial zoning supports shop operations for contractors.

Rod

Soil pritection plants r continually giving off water, mostly in form of vapour, and it is estimated that five acres of beech wood can lose 80,000 gals daily.Obviously, then plants help to keep the atmosphere moist and cool, as well as pure.But sometimesa, in regions of heavy rainfall, it is fortunate that the vegetation is luxurient enough to protect the soil from its full force.

Bowen’s first OCP was largely based on the Hirvonen Landscape Analysis of 1976:

http://www.library.for.gov.bc.ca/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=D23R879786516.470461&profile=mof&uindex=TL&term=Bowen%20Island%20a%20Landscape%20Analysis&aspect=basic_search&menu=search&source=~!forest

The Zoning Bylaw #36, then the 2002 LUB, in differing from OCP densities, were not unusual, though the latter was challenged unsuccessfully by then Bowen lawyer John Singleton. He claimed that all bylaws subsequent to an OCP must be consistent with it. The courts decided that the overall language of the OCP was of more importance than its density designations, and agreed that the floor/ceiling approach was indeed legal.

Despite the rhetoric and polarities about ‘density’, beyond OCP densities have been granted at Cates Hill and Cowan’s Point, and OCP parity densities with all of John Reid’s various rezonings. Really, OCP densities have been achieved in all but Sunset Estates, where the Islands Trust refused Murray Cypress’s amenity bonusing proposal, and Phase 1 of Cowan’s which came into play after Praxis went bust in the early 90’s after Trustee Dave Morgan was at left at odds with his co-trustee of the time.

Certainly, King Edward Bay, which was approved by Islands Trust during the reign of GVRD Director Gail Taylor and her compliant Trustee brother-in-law, far exceeded OCP densities.

As to how fast we should be developing lots, for the most part it has been ‘market absorption rates’ that have largely dictated that…

Michael Ignatieff came to a Metro Vancouver Board meeting earlier this year. He gave a short speech about ‘the recession’, and then the floor was opened up for questions. I pushed my speaker button quickly, and was probably about number 5 in the queue. Almost all the early questions were about infrastructure grant money, and were answered with veiled criticism as to how the Tories were bungling them.

Then it was my turn. Each questioner was identified by the chair, Lois Jackson before he/she was given the floor. When Iggy heard I was from Bowen Island, his entire demeanor changed. He had been leaning forward, eyes narrow, intent and focused. Now his arms were opened, he stepped back. He paused, and then said: “You know, people from this part of the country are very fortunate. And those of you from Bowen are very fortunate indeed.” That elicited laughs all around. “So I hope you’re not going to ask me about infrastructure money! ” . (Actually, I wasn’t and didn’t- I asked him about his view of Canada’s role on the world stage, and how that might differ from the current government’s view. He did not take the bait- he talked about emerging Asian opportunities.)

Anyway- that’s in answer to your editorial. Yes, we ARE very fortunate to live here.

I do think that we need to determine what the need is for varied housing on Bowen (in hard numbers) so that it can be planned for. I also think that higher density makes the most sense where it is near enough to the ferry to be walkable (for those who are able) or where the car ride will be short, thus minimizing GhG production. No need for a mini-mall (do we have the demand anyway?) if that were to happen.

It sounds like you care for this island every bit as much as I do. In fact, the one thing most of us share on this island is a deeply held passion about the place that we live. Surely there is a way for us to preserve the trees and “nature in all its glory” while still providing a range of housing options in amounts and in areas that make sense. And we should be able to do it without diminishing the rural character of the island that we all share such a love for.

I don’t think that any one group on Bowen has the “right” answer, which is why dialogue like this is so important. And why I wrote my article. Am glad to see the dialogue starting.

My wife and I are seniors, have been for several years, and with a little luck will continue to be for a few more. But I can foresee the day that I will have to abandon my house, vegetable and flower gardens, tractor, boat, woodstove, and a way of life which I love so much, and will have to trade that for a comfortable condo in a seniors development. But not on Bowen Island.

We will have to relocate to Kerrisdale or some other equivalent part of town where I will have to be satisfied with looking out the window counting trolley buses. The proposed development at Cape Roger Curtis would have been a much superior choice. I would prefer to stay on Bowen and be able to enjoy the trees, the beaches, nature in all it’s glory, and at the same time not have to sacrifice the benefits of seniors living, and the company of my peers in a rural setting.

But until the negative attitude about density changes ( we seniors want to live in a neighbourhood that will provide amenities such as a mini-mall where I can do my shopping without having to drive to Snug Cove polluting the atmosphere – isn’t that what GhG is all about, Brenda?), meet my neighbours (young and old) at the local coffee shop, etc. Sure, we want clean air, pure water, fresh eggs, and tree frogs just as much as you do, but have no desire to live like monks on a mountain top sacrificing the other pleasures of life. We need community, not isolation. Senior developments in a village environment are occurring in increasing numbers all over the world as the population ages. A recent report indicates that the demand for accommodation in seniors residences for “baby boomers” in Canada will increase 10 fold come 2015-1020. But not on Bowen Island.

By all means promote a course of action, but please don’t exclude us. I don’t want to move, Brenda. You probably won’t either when you become a senior.

R. Gerry Sear

Urban Planners should be more attentive to Rural Planning when it comes to Bowen.

The ferry commute is the biggest part of the carbon footprint that any of us will have. Most of us wage earners are and will be commuters. I do not believe there will ever be enough economic capacity on Bowen to change the commuting culture.

Bowen should generate economic activity – yes – around an appreciation for the values of nature. This is our natural resourse and we should retain it.

Bowen should promote sustainability – yes – by limiting population and encouraging alternative kinds of development rather than the standard method of promoting more growth. Growth in itself is not the path to sustainablility especially on an island.

best regards

Nick