Rockland
Neighbourhood Association: Minutes of the Board
Meeting of the Board of Directors
April 8th, 2009
Directors Present: Janet Simpson, Doreen Mueller, Dave Clark,
Lois Johnson, Bob June, Catherine Spencer, Tony Wade, John Edwards,
Richard Cane
Regrets: Jay Jennings, John Weaver
Guests: Councilor Chris Coleman, Don Hamilton, Mitch Hammond, Randall Walford
Summary of Motions and action items:
Motion: to approve the appointment of Randall
Walford to the vacant position of Director.
Motion: that the notes from the April 1st LU(z)
meeting be edited, themed, reviewed and then sent out through the
Rockland e-mail service and the RNA web site.
Motion: to hold a Community Meeting regarding
proposed use of 1322 Rockland Avenue, inviting Council, City Planning
staff, representatives of VIHA and neighbours.
Motion: that the letter regarding amenities at the
corner of Montgomery and Gonzales be sent to City Planning.
Motion: That the RNA board support Wayne Halloran's
recommendations in general, but to focus only on a few of the most
salient points.
Action: to look for examples of Good
Neighbour Agreements between VIHA (or the responsible facility
operator) and others
Action: have a LU(z) representative read RNA's
letter at the Public Hearing for 1729 Beverley Place.
Action: print enough copies of the fothcoming
newsletter for distribution to RNA members who do not have email / web
access
Meeting called to order at 19:05
1. Agenda
Motion (DC/DM) to accept agenda, as amended Carried
Add: New Director; feedback on Board of Variance application for 1035 Joan Crescent Seniors' home.
2. Minutes of March 11th 2009
Motion (DC/DM) to accept minutes Carried
3. New Director
Motion (DM/RC) to approve the appointment of Randall
Walford to the vacant position of Director.
Carried
4. Electronic Communications Report – Don Hamilton
Helmut Hissen is the security backup, with general
knowledge of the website, and passwords, should Don be
unavailable.
How would we like to see the web site developed? Do
we want to stimulate more interest in the site? Suggestions
include:
Calendar of events
Photo contest
Password protected area for directors, for
committees – post code of ethics, strategies, management information.
5. Councilor's Report
1729 Beverley Place: City's view is that the
proposed use falls generally under existing zoning; a minor variance is
requested; and addresses a strategic priority. Seeking meaningful 2-way
exchange of information. RNA's letter to the City was posted on the RNA
web site; developer wanted a chance to comment, but the web site is not
set up for this type of posted feedback.
1322 Rockland – Mayor Fortin's meeting with LU(z)
on April 1st was outside of normal process (Chris Coleman, RNA liaison
was not invited).
(RW) There are two issues – the concept and the
planning process, in which rights must be represented and respected. If
either fails, the project fails.
(CS) CALUC process not followed; petition not received
(CC) City should discuss and respond to the RNA letter
(RC) Good Neighbour Agreements (GNA) between the
developer and the City, with the Neighbourhood Association as a 3rd
party. There is a difficulty in setting thresholds for penalties for
transgressions.
There are draft GNAs for the Ellis Street Shelter
and for Humbolt Street development. The intention is to create
accountability through consequences. These could be costs for the
developer or compensation to the neighbourhood.
ACTION: look for other examples of GNA between VIHA (or the responsible
facility operator) and others (e.g., Nanaimo needle exchange)
Consequences that can be levied by the City relate to liquor licenses, business licenses, building permits.
6. Committee Reports
• Land Use (zoning) –
1729 Beverley Place: – RNA letter was not in the
information package that City Council received, because timelines were
moved forward from what the City set out in March 3rd letter. There is
a public hearing April 9th; JJ, LJ and RW may attend.
ACTION – have a LU(z) representative read out that letter at the Public Hearing.
1322 Rockland –
Motion (JS/RC) that the notes from the April 1st meeting between Mayor
Fortin and the LU(z) be edited, themed, reviewed by Dean Fortin, Chris
Coleman and VIHA to ensure it reflects their view of what was said, and
then sent out through the Rockland e-mail service and the RNA web site.
Carried
Motion (JS/RC) That the LU(z) committee hold a Community Meeting to
create a forum for voicing of concerns and discussion regarding
proposed use of 1322 Rockland Avenue, inviting Council, City Planning
staff, representatives of VIHA and neighbours.
Carried
Communications
Newsletter waiting for more content.
Membership
Currently 127 members; 2 welcome packages delivered.
Traffic
RC is drafted a letter to summarize the outcome of
meetings with residents of Montgomery and Gonzales Avenue with regards
to amenities offered by developer - Bruce Wilkin Design.
Recommendations include: complete the Montgomery sidewalk, revegetate
the Gonzales frontage, and do not install an amenity bench.
Motion (DC/TW) That the letter regarding amenities at the corner of
Montgomery and Gonzales be sent to City Planning.
Carried
Garden
Date for Master Gardener Clinic is April 19th from 2 to 4 PM.
Social
Will provide refreshments for the Community meeting re: 1322 Rockland proposal.
7. Letters, emails, phone calls
City invites participation at a business process
review for Development Services Areas; April 16th, 9 to 10 AM, Council
Chambers. LJ will attend.
May 1st is the deadline for the general grant and
for enhancement matching grants. JS will work with JW to apply.
Mike Hannah requests a hard copy newsletter 3 times per year.
ACTION: print enough copies for distribution to RNA members who do not have email / web access (less than 20 households)
Wayne Halloran seeks Neighbourhood Association support for recommendations to City Council.
Motion (JS/DC) That the RNA board support Wayne Halloran
recommendations in general, but to focus only on a few of the most
salient points.
8. New Business
1035 Joan Crescent (Craigdarroch Rest Home) request
to build a 3 metre ramp will be heard by the Baord of Variance, April
9th, 12:30 at City Hall. DM will attend on behalf of RNA to support the
immediate neighbours.
9. Close of meeting –
Motion to adjourn at 20:55 Carried