Rockland Neighbourhood Association:
Reports from Councillor Ben Isitt
January 2014
Ben Isitt, City Council liaison to Rockland Neighbourhood
Association.
City Councillor's Update: Amalgamation and Active Transportation
Amalgamation
Victoria City Council has decided to place a referendum question on
the municipal ballot in November 2014: "Are you in favour of
reducing the number of municipalities in Greater Victoria through
amalgamation?" This has been a hot-button issue in the Capital
Region for some time.
In the interest of full disclosure, I did not support this
referendum question. I believe there are more practical steps we can
take to provide for the effective and efficient delivery of regional
services, for example, by aggressively pursuing the formation of a
regional police service for the Capital region. This step would be
consistent with recommendations arising from the Oppal Report. It
would also be more consistent with the reality of policing and law
enforcement, which does not recognize municipal boundaries. A
regional police service from the core to Swartz Bay to the Malahat
to Sooke would address the current fiscal imbalance, which leaves
City of Victoria taxpayers on the hook for policing the core of the
metropolitan region (accounting for 35 cents of every tax dollar),
which is more properly a shared regional responsibiity.
My concern with asking the over-riding amalgamation question through
a referendum is that it may result in delays in pursuing the
practical integration of services (building on our current amalgated
services, such as the drinking water supply and the regional parks
system). I believe that our current municipal structure provides a
meaningful opportunity for neighbourhood-level input on land use,
transportation and amenities, which could be undermined in a
mega-city with less responsive representation and a smaller number
of elected officials representing a larger number of electors. A
Ward System could help to address this concern, while introducing
new problems by substituting at-large representation with fiefdoms.
Amalgamation, based on experiences elsewhere in Canada, often leads
to increased costs to taxpayers due to added layers of bureaucracy.
I believe Victoria is currently one of the most desireable places to
live in Canada, and that we should acknowledge that the municipal
patchwork and strong neighbourhood attention to land use planning
may be a factor in the enviable quality of life and impressive urban
environment. We should tread carefully and intelligently when
considering any changes to our democratic institutions.
Active Transportation
As part of ongoing efforts to support traffic safety and
liveability, I co-hosted a workshop in the autumn of 2013 with
Councillor Shellie Gudgeon on the topic "Safe Streets and Active
Transportation in Our Neighbourhoods." Rockland was represented by
three members of your Neighbourhood Association executive, who
joined with delegates from all 12 of Victoria's community
associations to discuss opportunities for traffic calming in
neighbourhoods and throughout the City. Experts from the Lower
Mainland as well as the Capital Regional District, the Victoria
Police Department and the Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition shared
"best practices" from other communities in Canada and beyond. An
inventory of transportation problems and potential solutions was
gathered through the input of all participants.
Councillor Gudgeon and I are now developing recommendations based on
this input and we are planning a follow-up workshop for the New
Year. Your Rockland representatives will be invited to participate,
and your own participation is welcome through the Rockland Traffic
Committee. Suggestions provided by committee chairperson Robin Gubby
at the workshop translated directly into a proposal that is
currently under consideration by City Council to pursue traffic
calming along Richmond Road with a 40 km/h speed zone. This would
provide increased safety for children attending Margaret Jenkins and
Glenlyon-Norfolk Schools, as well as contributing to the queit
enjoyment and safety of residents in Rockland, Gonzales and the
Jubilee neighbourhoods. City Council is also considering strategic
speed reductions on Bay Street, Gorge Road, and Dallas Road adjacent
to Beacon Hill Park. Public consultation and technical analysis
would take place prior to any changes being implemented.
In addition to possible changes to the regulation of roads, City
Council is also pursuing opportunities for improving safety through
the design of crosswalks, sidewalks and other traffic-calming
features. Within the context of a tight budget for 2014
(constraining growth to no more than 3.25%), funds are allocated
annually for improvements to these amenities as well as cycling
routes, bus stops and greenways within and between neighbourhoods. I
would encourage you to share your concerns and ideas for
transportation in Rockland with the Neighbourhood Association and
with your City Council.
Ben Isitt, City Council liaison to Rockland Neighbourhood.
Ben may be reached at 250-882-9302 or bisitt@victoria.ca.
In addition to his duties on City Council, Ben serves as a CRD
Director representing Victoria.
He may be contacted regarding regional issues as well as City
issues.
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