Amenity Zoning Splits Mayne

SSI Historical Archives INSIDE! 129 McPhi1 lips Ave . • Mmu Look focopr youorf Salt Spring Island. BC idIA A A MM \m\ y V8K 2T6 01/01/97 J l^A • Reno '96 Wednesday, September 25, 1996 Vol. 38, No. 39 twooYour Community Newspaper Salt Spring Islandd, B.C. $1 (incl. GST) Amenity zoning 1* splits Mayne mm By VALORIE LENNOX Driftwood Staff The Mayne Island Trust Committee could use King Solomon's wisdom to pass judg- ment on the island's first amenity zoning bylaw, which appears to have divided islanders almost equally. At Saturday's public hearing into the bylaw, comments were bal anced between those who feared extra lots would set a precedent for future development and those who welcomed the community benefits \ gained by granting a property owner the right to eight additional lots in a subdivision proposal. The bylaw would establish a new five-acre zone for an uplands parcel on the island. As a result, a 108- acre parcel will be subdivided into 19 lots of 5.7 acres each. Without the rezoning, the land can be subdi vided into 11 lots. In exchange for the increased density, the community would gain part of a Village Bay bypass road, a 39-acre park, a five-acre site for a community centre and two wells for future water in Miner's Bay. Approximately 110 people gath ered in the Mayne Island School A day at gym for the public hearing. In addi tion, Trust committee members the fair received 62 letters in favour, 11 opposed and 104 signatures on peti Jaclyn Malcolm, above tions opposed to the development. left, cuddles Chocolate, Of the speakers, 25 backed the bylaw, 22 were opposed and sever her prize-winning laying al either requested more informa hen in a typical Salt tion or gave mixed comments. Spring Fall Fair scene on Concerns raised by those the weekend. Sister Jillian opposed to the bylaw included: • the new five-acre zone would was there to help cele establish a precedent for other brate the hen's blue rib developers of upland property; bon. At left, sumo • septic fields on upland water wrestlers Alan Layard, shed property would contaminate left, and Simon Knott bat the water supply; • there would be congestion at tle it out to the delight of the proposed road bypass intersec a crowd, while country tion; singer Sue Spencer belts • increased density on the island out a tune during her would reduce the quality of life; family's tribute to her • the bylaw was an example of bribery by developers; father, the late Howard • there was insufficient research Byron. More photos, Page done into amenity zoning; 13. • the bylaw contravenes the offi cial community plan; Photos by Tony hcrurds • the developer may not honour the agreement and provide the amenities; • no action should be taken 115 turn out for Sunday's Terry Fox Run before the Islands Trust election in Expectations that the fall fair November. pegged at $5,382, with another Middle School turned up and followed by Charles Hingston with Among the opponents were for might reduce the turnout failed to $1,215 having been raised in the raised $85. $835 and Joanna Barrett with $355. mer trustees Marie Elliott and Louis materialize Sunday when 115 peo Terry Fox golf tournament. "It was the only school that did Of three teams in the run, the Vallee. Elliott opposed the creation ple joined the Terry Fox Run at Marshall expressed disappoint anything about the ran," Marshall Bank of Montreal raised the most of the new zone while Vallee felt Salt Spring. ment that only one school partici said. money with pledges worth $850. there was not enough protection in Organizer Marilyn Marshall pated in the annual event, held to Ten-year-old Mark McDougall Marshall said participants were the bylaw to prevent other upland reported after the mn that the num raise funds for cancer research. But raised $100, the most of any child from as far away as Switzerland property developers from applying ber was up by four from last year. she was pleased that 20 students in the run. Among adults, Phyllis and Dawson City, with many from for the same zoning. A preliminary tally has proceeds and teachers from Salt Spring Waltho led the way with $1,136, the Lower Mainland. MAYNE 2 2 * WEDNESDAY. SEPTEM8ER 25. 1996 N E W S B EAT GULF ISLANDS DRIFTWOOD Luth's new political smarts pave way for re-election hree years ago Dietrich Luth was a successful he will have engineered the Word at the fall fair on Sunday was that Tneophyte when it came to politics, public purchase of 160 acres of park land Bev Byron and John Ellacott will soon despite an earlier, unsuccessful run for a with only a fraction of the money coming announce their candidacy as a team. Bev's seat on the Islands Trust. But look at him TONY from the pockets of local voters. As part husband Mike has been an outspoken now. of the region's park system the cost of the opponent of some aspects of the commu Luth today is not the consummate RICHARDS jn^ land will be bome by taxpayers through nity plan draft, while Ellacott has been politician but neither is he the amateur we out the region. similarly outspoken about many of the saw in the race three years ago against Witness the introduction at the Capital While the Mill Farm purchase alone is Trust's activities. Julia Atkins, a race in which voters voted Regional District board of two bylaws, not likely to make Luth's re-election a If the four who have already unofficial against Atkins more than voting for Luth. one to put Salt Spring within the regional certainty, it's bound to win him a large ly declared — incumbents Grace Byrne Three years of hobnobbing with mayors parks system and the other to spend half a chunk of electoral support. And it cannot and Bob Andrew and the team of Paul and other politicos from the municipalities million dollars on park land. The two very well work against him because it Marcano and Drew Clarke — go ahead of the Capital Region, car chases and foot bylaws have been in the works for a cou does not represent a large increase in and run, we will be in for some interesting races with television news crews and ple of months or more but it wasn't until taxes. times this fall. some bitter confrontations with some of last week that it was confirmed that the Luth has stood upon enough soap boxes Add school board to the mix, with but his constituents have shaped Luth into a money has been allocated to purchase that he should have no difficulty selling three trustees to be elected from Salt potentially re-electable politician. And park land on south Salt Spring. this little project to islanders, though there Spring, down from the present five, and isn't that just what politics is all about? Where else on south Salt Spring but the are some obstacles yet that ensure there we ought to have had our fill of politics Luth has not officially announced he's Mill Farm would the regional director are no guarantees. by Christmas. in the running for another three-year term, have focused his sharp political gaze? Who will run against Luth in November In the meantime, islanders should be but some recent broad hints — along with Here is an issue that has been conve — if anyone — is still up in the air, but congratulating candidates for their com at least one recent initiative — have left niently brewing during the run-up to the there are no such doubts about the Islands mitment to local affairs. no doubt. civic elections in November. If Luth is Trust on Salt Spring. Enjoy the show. 1VI/\Y IM C" Amenity zoning subject of hearing fjulfIsland fZJlass From Page 1 bypass; woman Diane Cragg of Galiano He said the amenity zoning should • the 39-acre park is a community complimented the islanders on their be controlled through the develop asset and will preserve part of the participation and patience with each BREAK REPAIR! ment agreement. If the bylaw includ uplands in an undeveloped state; other over such a contentious issue. ed the development agreement, • the wells will resolve a shortage She also apologized for the sched We handle ail types of commercial & Vallee said he could support it. of potable water in Miner's Bay; uling of the public hearing, which residential glass Supporters argued that: • those who come here to enjoy a conflicted with a workshop being Free estimates - call today! held on the island. Shop now open 8am-4:30pm • Mayne Island will gain a site rural retreat should remember that Corner of Robinson & Upper Ganges Rd. for a much-needed community cen island residents need amenities. At a Trust committee meeting tre; Greg Harmon objected to com called shortly after the close of the ROY CRONIN 537-4545 • the new zones do not set a ments that the amenity zoning was public hearing, Mayne Island precedent any more than any other a bribe by the developer. He said trustees Sonja Taiji and Larry zones set a precedent; the Mayne Island Community Holbrook said they needed more ^iiimiiiiiiiiHiiiniiiniiiiiiiiiiniinimiMiu • septic fields will be regulated Centre Society had asked trustees to time to consider submissions from by the Capital Regional District so approach the developer about the residents before making a decision. JONATHAN L. OLDROYD water will not be contaniinated; site.

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