Rockland Neighbourhood Association:  Minutes of the Board


June 8th, 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, Doris Schuh, Henry Phillips

Regrets: Councillor Chris Coleman

Meeting called to order at 19:30.

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

Minutes of May 11th, 2005:  Motion to accept (BA/YH)        Carried
With corrected wording to convey the concerns raised by Michael Rankin.

Correspondence
Mail:
City Council Minutes
Copy: Request for Heritage Designation for 1964 Fairfield Rd. (Abkazi Gardens)
Castleview Child Care Centre requests crosswalk on Rockland at Joan Crescent
Discussion: What are RNA priorities for 2005/06?
City approved Option D for drafting new Tree Protection Bylaw
The Cary Bulletin – tribute to George Redford
Victoria Urban Development Agreement invitation – HH will attend June 15th
Email
HH: Planning Dept. reorganization re. Jack Basey
CS: Community Arts notice
JS: Lloyd Ollila wants general meeting about secondary suites
Councillor Hughes supports “Adopt-a-Pole” idea for graffiti action
Recreation renewal follow up meeting at Royal Athletic Park on June 21
RNA’s letter of support for Pemberton trail referred to Greenways committee
Telephone Calls:
EMR – neighbour re: Montgomery development. Building permit issued; no access to plans except with owners’ permission.

Committee Reports
Land Use -
LUC met on May 25: Dean Fortin discussed secondary suites policy. Directors also attended City Hall Open House and Panel Discussion on Secondary Suites on June 2. City wants feedback by June 27th.
Rockland residents split on secondary suite policy, based on 10% of members who sent email responses
ACTION: Responses will be posted to the RNA website with identification removed. Also post notice to email “Neighbours” list.
ACTION: LUC will draft letter to City stating that RNA’s position on Secondary Suites will be based on the RN Plan and noting that consultation cannot be built on flawed assumptions.
Montgomery renovation – R1A zoning allows the increased height, without need for a variance.
Tour Buses - GV weight restrictions on Rockland don’t restrict motor coaches, even double-deckers
Traffic and safety activities: Meeting upcoming with Fairfield and Gonzales representatives and Traffic Dept.
LUC process modified to allow developers to stay for complete public meeting on rezoning.

Traffic and Safety
Has Block Watch program had an impact on crime? – Newsletter article
ACTION: promote Emergency Preparedness opportunities through the newsletter and the email list.

Garden
Matching funds grant of $1000 approved: will include stone wall work.

Community Association Network
Nuisance (Business Regulation) bylaw discussed
Fairfield will hold meeting June 16th  on shared vision.

Welcome Package – new residents listed.

Newsletter
Deadline for next edition is June 24th  for a July delivery.
Articles will include land use status, responses on deterrence of crime, garden update; clarification of tour bus regulations; Pemberton Trail; invitation to join email list.

CALUCC
Presented feedback to Alison Meyers on finalized procedures and Terms of Reference.
New term to watch for: “shoulder areas of downtown”. City looking for another special planning precinct between Cook and Linden.

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


New Business
Victoria Urban Development Agreement brings together 3 levels of government. Focus groups will include secondary suites, homelessness, harm reduction.
Discussion – RNA priorities are density, traffic, crime, affordable housing
Email list moderator – need clear guidelines for email list use and posting to the RNA website.
Discussion – Primary purpose of the “Neighbours” list is outgoing communication and secondary is requesting feedback. The RNA Board suggests and approves content. No commercial benefit, no personal opinion. For privacy considerations, a priori notification is required as to intended use of requested feedback.

Date and time of next meeting
    September 14th, 2005 at 7:30 pm in the Government House Volunteers’ Cottage
    
Close of meeting -
Motion: To adjourn                             Carried     

Meeting closed at 21:46