Rockland
Neighbourhood Association: Minutes of the Board
Meeting of Board of Directors
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Directors Present: Henry Phillips, Linda Foubister, Doris Schuh, Doreen
Mueller, Susan Bartol-Drinker, Frank Hess, John Weaver, Mitch Hammond,
Wayne Poohachoff
Regrets: Janet Simpson, Dave Clark, Ethelyn McInnes-Rankin, Councillor
Bea Holland
2. Minutes of October 11, 2006: Motion to approve (as amended) (DM,
MH)
Carried
Amendments: Land Use (strategy): suggest that Castle management may
rebuild "gates", Pemberton Trail: replace with "Private property owners
(e.g. Camosack, Wilmar) have some resistance.", add historical lighting
for Rockland Avenue to underground wiring, delete recruitment re tree
inventory.
It was agreed that draft minutes would be posted on the RNA website.
3. Councillor's report (BH reported through HP)
Residential leaf pickup for Rockland will start November 19, 2006.
4. Presentation on Craigdarroch Castle by Kathy Summers
Grounds: The Castle plans to restore the grounds to a more historical
appearance by restoring the stairs and sharply defining the
banks. Irrigation will be added and the parking spot
resurfaced in colour sympathetic to the house using stamped paving
(which may or may not be permeable). The area on the porte
cochere side would be restored to a simple grassy area.
Pathway: The Castle hopes to acquire the lane between the Castle
and Craigdarroch Road. The lane is now owned by the City.
The lane would be cleaned up, lighted, and shrubbery reduced from
40'high to 6', restoring the pathway to a more historic state when this
was the original entrance to the castle.
Pemberton Trail: Kathy went on record to state that they were insulted
that they were not consulted about the Pemberton Trail proposal.
The Trail, as approved by the City, would go through the Castle
grounds. It was understood that the vision of the Trail prevented
progress on the transfer of the pathway to the Castle.
It was noted that the RNA approved the Pemberton Trail in principle in
2005, subject to the recognition of private property rights. The
proposal was seen as conceptual in nature and long-term (over 50
years). The RNA was surprised to see the link between the Trail
and 1322 Rockland at City Council meeting.
Gates: Consideration is being given to restoring within three years the
12-foot high sandstone gates that historically marked the entrance to
the Castle. The Castle would be responsible for insurance and
maintenance.
Action: The Land Use (Strategy) committee will be liaison with
the Castle on the gates.
Garden: Kathy requested that the RNA Board consider letting the Castle
take over the Woodland Garden when the lease expires in April,
2007. The plan would be to convert it to a grassy mound with a
few plantings and pathways as an introduction to the Castle. It
was noted that the present vision is a native garden with
interpretative signage which serves as an introduction to the
neighbourhood.
Action: Kathy will discuss the proposal with the Garden Committee.
Shell Station: There will be a public hearing at City Hall on
Thursday, November 23, 2006 on redevelopment of the Shell Service
Station at the junction of Fort and Yates Streets. The proposal
is of concern. It was noted that the RNA has not received
information on the proposed design.
Action: DM will attend the public hearing. An email notice about
the meeting will be sent to the Neighbours List.
Next Steps: The third plan for the Castle grounds is under development
and will be brought back to the Board when it is finalized. The
Castle is interested in expansion in the long term.
5. Correspondence and E-mails
Correspondence: Victoria City Council minutes of September 14 and
October 12; poster for Craigdarroch Castle Christmas festivities;
lecture series on public art; Greater Victoria Harbour Authority Annual
Report for 2006.
Emails:
- Walter Donald, the RNA liaison for the Police Board, offered to
present information on Cyber Crime at a neighbourhood meeting. It
was decided that this presentation would be more effective in
cooperation with BlockWatch. SBD will advise Walter Donald.
- Richard Cane has agreed to do the required research on behalf of the
RNA to recommend options to the City regarding a fireworks bylaw.
- Two UVic students contacted the RNA for information about the
neighbourhood. DC and DN met with one of the students for several
hours to provide information.
- Several emails were received about the Treasures of Rockland project,
including a response from Gail Price-Douglas, Community Development
Planner, stating this is a great idea and has been successful in other
neighbourhoods.
- Diana Freundlich contacted the RNA about paint to cover graffiti on
hydro poles.
6. Business arising
Pemberton Trail: The RNA received a request from Ken Milbraith
seeking support for a public pathway through 1322 Rockland Avenue under
the Pemberton Trail proposal.
Action: DM will acknowledge the note and contact Joe Daly, Manager of
Research Planning & Design with the City, for information on the
status of Pemberton Trail.
7. New Business:
Bonus Density: Tim Van Alstine, Chair, James Bay Neighbourhood
Environment Association, asked for RNA support to build on information
regarding bonus density in the RNA letter from Mr. DeVilliers and is
interested in discussing follow-up with other associations.
Action: The Land Use Committee will meet with Tim Van Alstine next week
to discuss bonus density and options for next steps.
AGM
The upcoming AGM was discussed. Options for a guest presentation were
discussed, including a professionally facilitated session on Rockland's
future with easels for input, similar to the Vancouver -Arbutus
Ridge/Kerrisdale/Shaughnessy (ARKS) Community Vision Program. Other
presentations discussed included a focus on heritage and/or urban
planning to give momentum to the Rockland Plan.
Action: HP will identify date in February, 2007 for the AGM.
Motion: It was moved (SBD/JW) that funding not exceeding $300 for an
honorarium and reasonable costs be approved for a facilitator at the
AGM.
Approved.
Action: Committee chairs should submit reports soon after December
meeting. As bank statements are not available under January 10, the
financial report will not be available until after that date.
The RNA is interested in welcoming candidates for Board
positions. It was discussed whether having a slate would deter
candidates. It was noted that the RNA Constitution requires a
Nominating Committee, slate, and appropriate notice.
Action: Directors to suggest names for the Nominating Committee to HP.
The issue of how to contact members for electioneering was
discussed. It was agreed that the membership form would be
changed to allow for members to decide if they wish to consent to
sharing of their personal information for the 2007 membership year.
Action: HP will discuss with Membership Chair and Secretary changing
the membership form to request consent from members for sharing their
personal information (e.g. name, address, phone, email).
8. Committee Reports
Communications: Numerous communications have been sent to the
Neighbours list.
Newsletter: The next Newsletter will be distributed in January 2007 in
advance of AGM.
Membership: Two welcome packets were delivered in the past month.
Safety: Emergency Preparedness weekly notices continue. No new
BlockWatch groups have been formed.
Garden: Artist Tricia Hodgins will do artwork for interpretative
signs. Recent plantings include a 15' yew tree donated by Giorgio
Amarilli, ferns, dogwood and Western geraniums.
Addition to Minutes:
Report from JS on Action Plan for the Woodland Garden, Fall 2006:
Signage: A neighbourhood artist will design two educational signs.
Public Relations: Workshop by master gardeners (April), with EMR's
help, photos for AGM, with BB's help?
Water supply: check with City re permanent source, donation to
Franciscans for water.
Planting and Labeling: plant Sword ferns along base of rock from stairs
to sign; more sedum on rocky ledges; more Nootka roses and Oregon
grape, move goldenrod amongst snowberry; sword ferns for bank by laurel
hedge; another red currant to flank corner steps; plant the small,
potted yew in empty area in front of fence.
Pruning and Cleaning Up: arrange hawthorne trunks alongside path; train
honeysuckle; highlight arbutus; hard prune snowberry in spring; replace
goldenrod around sign with false box; pick up twigs.
Building up soil and composting: bring in good soil for sides of stairs.
Weeding
Land Use (Zoning):
Met with proponents of variance requests for 1525 Shasta Place and 1665
Oak Bay Avenue. City has not reviewed requests yet.
1322 Rockland: No updates.
Demolished House on St. Charles, s of Rockland Avenue: no information
is available.
Committee will discuss proposal to amend voting practice of Committee
and bonus density at next meeting on November 22.
Draft letters on definition of "basement" and RNA concerns about 1322
Rockland Avenue are under advisement.
Land Use (Strategy):
The Committee will present status report on projects at next Board
meeting.
Entrance: Considering suggestions for entrance to Rockland from
traditional to futuristic, and between.
Tree Inventory: DM discussed canopy with arborist. An inventory
has identified problems with infestations. Therefore, there will
be no replacement with same species. The issue of who will pay
for replacement was discussed. More information will be provided in
December.
9. Date and time of next meeting
December 13th, 2006 at 7:00 pm at the Volunteers' Cottage, 1401A
Rockland Avenue.