Rockland Neighbourhood Association:  Minutes of the Board


ROCKLAND NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATION
Meeting of the Board of Directors

March  9th , 2011

Directors Present:   Janet Simpson (JS), Bob June (BJ), Dave Clark (DC), Bill Brooks (BB), John Edwards (JE), David Hambleton (DH), Jane Wheatley (JW)
 
Regrets:    John Caldwell (JC)
Guests:     Councillor Geoff Young,  Catherine Spencer (CS)

Summary of motions and actions:
Action - RNA submit 3 or 4 questions regarding amendments to zoning regulations to Geoff Young that he can put forward.
Action – Be prepared to discuss your assigned section of draft Official Community Plan at next month’s RNA Board meeting

Meeting called to order at 19:05

1.    Agenda
Motion   to accept agenda as amended    (JW/BJ)            Carried unanimously

2.    Minutes of January 12th, 2011
Motion to accept minutes     (BJ/JE)         Carried unanimously

3.    Councillor’s  Report
1.    Upcoming (Thursday, March 24th)  public hearing will deal with amendments to zoning regulations. (e.g., grade manipulation, removing the definition of “daycare”, Rockland intensive development area). Legal opinion is that Provincial Legislation (Community Care Act) and regulations supersede city regulations and city has no powers to regulate).  Immediately following the public hearing, Council votes to accept or reject.
Agenda is online at the City’s website; Planning department report, including design guidelines and general objectives of the zoning amendments are also online.

2.    City is launching a look at the taxing and maintenance of Boulevards. What’s allowed, what city services expected? Project charter, consultant, public input. What rules for roads that have no sidewalk?

ACTION – RNA submit 3 or 4 questions to Geoff that he can put forward.

Purpose statement adopted for Gonzales, but City does not want that mechanism used again. Neighbourhood Plans are not a priority – all efforts are focused on City-wide initiatives, on big redevelopment projects, including Dockside Green and on the Downtown plan. Official Community Plan deals with larger issues – focus for densification, sustainability, green building efforts, not on zonation and neighbourhood plans.
(Geoff Young left the meeting)

4.    Assignment of Committee Chairs
1.    John Caldwell has offered to be treasurer.
2.    Bill Brook will retain Land Use Zoning
3.    John Edwards will retain Communications
4.    Bob June will retain Social.
5.    Don Hamilton retain Website
6.    Janet Simpson will retain garden
7.    Dave Clark will retain Membership
8.    Aimee Botje as traffic lobbyist.
9.    Welcoming Committee will accelerate – Eileen Nurmi
1.    Package for Welcome Wagon? BJ will investigate opportunities.
2.    Suggest hot button on the web site to alert for new residents – automatically sends an email to welcome committee chair.

5.    Business Arising
1.    Material assembled by Land Use Committee was distributed to Mayor and Council – Daycare definitions, recommendations for bylaws etc.
2.    Heritage building can be on a panhandle lot. (E.g., Pinehurst on Battery Street)


6.    Committee Reports
1.    Land Use –
1.     Victoria News article regarding Rockland land use – Committee members met with the writer.
2.    OCP – April 5th date for release – ACTION: be ready to review and comment at next RNA board meeting. (Suggested parties to review particular sections). Kristina Bouris will meet with RNA Board on May 11th. Public Hearing in June.
2.    Communications –
1.    Newsletter – deadlines next issue – April 15th (July 15th, September 15th)
3.    Membership and Welcome –
1.    Membership – Haven’t processed this year’s applications
4.    Traffic – no report
5.    Grafitti – no report
6.    Safety – no report
7.    Gardens – first meeting this Sunday.
8.    Social – suggestions for next year’s AGM – second microphone for speakers from the audience. Appetite for a second large meeting during the fall – suggest lining up 2 or 3 speakers on a given evening. Try for another social event at Government House in July.

7.    Motion to adjourn  (BB/DC) 20:48