Rockland
Neighbourhood Association: Minutes of the Board
11 August 2010
Meeting called to order at 7:05 pm.
Present: John Edwards, Catherine Spencer, Bob June, Bill Brooks, Jane Wheatley
Regrets: Dave
Guest: Harry Newton, developer Pemberton site
1. Approved agenda - approved.
2. Minutes of July 14 meeting - approved.
3. Business from previous meeting- Land Use Addendum
to bylaw letter tabled to the next meeting- Bill/Catherine 2nd.
David Hambleton writing a new addendum. Pam Maddoff recommended RCA
indicate more concern in the addendum to be presented to city council
to show our displeasure.
4. Chris Coleman arrived at meeting with Neighbourhood Report of August 11, 2010.
• In regards to the Blue Bridge, he mentioned setting
up a toll system. He also mentioned the Johnson St. Bridge as a
possible “shared regional service” as Esquimault and Westshore benefit
greatly from it.
• Pandora is a hot topic. Deer, rabbits and
horse-drawn carriages are also issues that have been brought to his
attention.
Chris suggests we bring any of our issues to the mayor when he visits in the fall.
• Bob mentioned that the trellis was missing from
1005/1007 Joan Cr. but Chris said that C of V is aware and will ensure
the trellis is replaced.
• Bob also mentioned the proposed bylaw changes
and what is happenig with this process. Chris said that the
new bylaw that involves a “shared roof adjoining 2 houses” may be
demonstrated as a visual as it is easier to comprehend than actual
language.
• Bill said that the retaining wall on Despard was
supposed to be examined by Cof V engineers. Also, the measurement
of site elevation - is it the 4 corners of the lot or the new/old
house? The Rockland Plan was endorsed by the Cof V but they just ignore
it. He suggested a covenant on title to preserve the tree canopy but
this would involve a door-to-door campaign and could end up with
neighbourhood quarrels.
• Bill mentioned “auxillary suites” to Chris as he is
the councillor that suggested them to C of V. Chris said that
they will look like garden suites and could be situated in an existing
garage. The main house on the lot cannot already have a suite in
it. The garage or other dwelling to be used as an auxillary suite
must be habitable and cannot be strata titled. The dwelling must
respect the existing side/ back yard setback bylaws. Illegally
constructed existing dwellings will not be allowed to be grandfathered
in. The structure can be a max of 400 sq ft. The dwelling can
take up to 25 % of the yard and the height of the dwelling could be a
max. of 11 ft to a peaked roof. Entrance to the dwelling must
face forward or backwards ( not on the sides). Chris said they have
identified 7500 properties which could qualify for auxillary
suites. These will not be allowed downtown or in the denser areas
of James Bay.
• Bill said that Abstract Design’s Joan Cr. homes do
not have illegal suites in them despite the listing realtors comments.
• In regards to the Richardson St. property that we
have been following, Chris said that council voted against the owners
proposal for their illegal garage to be converted to a suite.
• Bob to amalgamate the Land Use Committee letters
into one and send to Catherine to place on RCA letterhead paper and
then off to Mayor Fortin.
5. Communications received
• Cary Bulletin.
•
6. Committee Reports
Communications
• Newsletter - All articles are due for the next newsletter on 15 Sept.
Membership
Catherine reports that 40 new members have joined the RCA.
Social
• Catherine to write a formal letter of thanks to the
L.G. for the wine and appetizer evening held at Government House.
Graffiti
• The Police Dept. are impressed by our efforts to stamp out graffiti.
The gardens at Government House are fine, as is the RCA garden.
The tea and garden tours at G.H. were a success.
The history of some of the homes on Craigdarroch Road is really interesting- see the walking tours.
Questions for the mayor are to be submitted to Dave by August 31,
2010. Catherine mentioned that inviting all RCA members to this
meeting with the mayor might be nice. Permission to use the band
shell at G.H. has been granted to us. Catherine will send out an email
to RCA members regarding this. An alternate facility is the
Fairfield Community Association.
Bob suggested writing to all persons running in the fall election to
council to determine their platforms and an avenue to voice our
concerns. Bill said that this might be too political for the
association but that we could personally contact the candidates.