Rockland Neighbourhood Association:  Minutes of the Board



Meeting of Board of Directors

May 11th, 2005

Directors Present: Linda Foubister, Catherine Spencer, Helmut Hissen, Giorgio Amarilli, Yule Heibel, Janet Simpson, Ethelyn McInnes-Rankin, Susan Bartol-Drinker, Dave Clark, Brian Allen

Regrets: Doris Schuh, Henry Phillips,
Guest: Councillor Chris Coleman, Ken Milbrath, Michael Rankin

Meeting called to order at 19:30.

1.  Agenda: Motion to accept: (DC/SBD)                    Carried

Minutes of April 13th, 2005:  Motion to accept (CS/GA)        Carried
With corrected spelling of Graeme.

Pemberton Trail
Ken Milbrath outlined the objectives of the trail and the six blockages that currently exist within Rockland. He hopes that the trail can be initiated with detours around the current blockages. When any of the “blocking” properties come up for development or re-zoning, an attempt will be made to negotiate access.
Ken would like the Board to send a letter of support to Councillor Denise Savoie, Chair of the Greenways initiative.

Chris Coleman Report
Rails to trails initiative has shown that the establishment of the Pemberton Trail could trigger pressure for economic development.
1322 Rockland - too high density. The application is tabled pending resubmission that better reflects guidelines in the Rockland Neighbourhood Plan. Brian Sikstrom identified ranges for what will likely be acceptable.
Tour Buses – only restriction is weight – 22,500 kg GVW. Only enforceable bylaw is idling, parking restrictions. Keith Kresse will be invited to the next LUC to discuss this.
ACTION:  Notices to the email list, website and newsletter about the status of bus restrictions within the neighbourhood.
Transportation plan– Keith would also like to address the LUC re: traffic calming at Despard and on Richardson at Arnold and at Lotbiniere.
Secondary Suites – Dean Fortin will be meeting with Community and Neighbourhood Associations. Local exclusion is possible.

Other Business:  - Two-and-a-half Stories definition. Michael Rankin expressed concerns that current definitions of 2 1/2 storey buildings do not require the visual impact of what appears to be 3 stories to be mitigated by incorporation into the roofline. The impact can be further increased on steeply sloping properties.
Motion to send the 7 points raised to the LUC for deliberation and possible action (EMR/JS)    (HH abstained)                        Carried

Correspondence
Mail:
City Council Minutes of April 7, 14 and 28, 2005
Notice of opportunities to serve on City Advisory Committees, Boards and Commissions
Approval of 703 Linden triplex (for information)
Late letter on 1322 Rockland proposal
Letter of support for Pemberton Trail from Mohan Jawl, Chair, Downtown Victoria Community Alliance
Telephone Calls: Frank Hess re: 1322

Business Arising:
CS will contact the Edwards informally re their request that Linden be annexed to the Rockland neighbourhood.

Committee Reports
Land Use -
Open House on Secondary Suites Policy: June 2nd, 5 pm to 9 pm
LUCC meeting on May 25th: full agenda, but may invite Dean Fortin to speak.
Motion That the Board draft a letter to Denise Savoie, Chair of the Greenways Committee, supporting in principle the Pemberton Trail, with due respect for property rights.  (DC/HH)    (one opposed)         Carried

Graffiti
A pole warden program was suggested.
Motion That the Board draft a letter to BC Hydro, cc Mayor and Council, supporting the concept of a pole warden program, in view of the current lack of responsiveness.  (SBD/HH)    (one opposed)             Carried

Traffic and Safety
A “break and enter” couple posed as tourists using cell-phone camera to document lot layout, locks, presumably to plan a subsequent sortie. Also stealing mail.
ACTION: Email a neighbour alert – seasonal warning to watch out for and report this sort of behaviour.

Garden
Responsibility for clearing sidewalk of snow: Joe Daly advises we should specify this as a City responsibility when our lease contract is renewed.
The stone wall was extended. Father Anthony contributed $200 towards the total cost of $350.


Community Association Network
Good meeting. Letter going to Committee of the Whole seeking indemnity for association directors.

Welcome Package – new residents listed.

Newsletter
Deadline for next edition will be end of June for a July delivery.

CALUCC
Most recent meeting with Alison Meyers resolved outstanding business.
Finalized procedures, Terms of Reference, and suggested preamble to rezoning meetings.
Deadline of May 31 for comments prior to submission to City Council in June.
Once Council vets the procedures, our LUC may be revised to comply.
Pam Madoff, Councillor in charge of planning, met with CS and HH to discuss the market for large suites in Rockland.

Motion:  (HH/CS) That the President and the Vice President of the RNA Board be empowered to represent the association by asking questions with regards to the lack of appropriate consequences for criminal activity in our neighbourhood.
(1 abstention)                                 Carried

Date and time of next meeting
    June 8, 2005 at 7:30 pm in the Government House Volunteers’ Cottage
   
Close of meeting -
Motion: To adjourn                             Carried    

Meeting closed at 22:36