September 19, 2021 2PM (via Zoom)
Welcome
- Attendance 26
- Meeting called to order: 2:06PM
- Attending council members – Terri O’Keeffe and Peter Wainwright
- Attending members of SCA board – Dennis Carlsen, Nicholas Krischanowsky, Steve Duck and Geoff Irwin.
- Respectful acknowledge we are holding this meeting on the territory of the WSANEC Nations – May we all contribute to the well-being of the land, the surrounding waters and those who reside here.
- MOTION to accept the agenda as presented – Made by David Calveley, Second by Nicholas Krischanowsky – Passed
- MOTION to accept the 2020 AGM minutes from November 18, 2020 – Made by Nicholas Kirschanowsky, Second by Geoff Irwin – Passed
Presentation
- Corey Newcomb, Senior Planner, Long Range Planning, Town of Sidney
“Key Directions for the Official Community Plan”
Questions:
- Engagement of students welcomed and encouraged, will this continue? – Yes, the engagement will continue both at Parkland High School and North Saanich Middle School;
- Environment goal great, but appears only relative to Mermaid Creek, what are other directives to this goal? When? – This presentation does not cover all, Mermaid Creek looked to be most impactful in land use. Will be working with greater Peninsula aspect with other municipalities and First Nations. Definitely lots going on. There will be more in the OCP (vs just the Key Directions Report) with policies regarding the environment.
- Structure of the Key Directions Report is good with definitive goals, broad issues. The challenge will be blending it in the OCP Draft.
- What is the intent for the OCP to have an implementation plan? We have been consumed with the content to date. We don’t have great base to work but the intent is there.
- Past report from Barefoot Consulting intensely and thoroughly, it appears it’s being repeated. Looks to be a waste of time and money. Yes, Barefoot did a number of reports. OCP is not to reinvent the wheel but to integrate input from past reports and the community to make a consistent policy report. Trying to tie them together at a higher level into Policy.
- Will there be specific policies for land use and design guidelines within the OCP? Council has given direction to integrate such into the OCP. There will be details such as design guidelines in the document.
- Concerned about the potential for developers purchasing residential areas and seeking a change of zoning to accommodate more dense housing. The OCP will set up the land use designations which should initiate a review of current zoning by-laws to increase setbacks, lot coverage, and provide more green space.
- Vision sets goals which develops plans and budgets, what is the accountability of the process? Will there be reviews? Annual reports? Given the nature and scope of the OCP it is only reviewed every 7-10 years. It is the Council that sets the direction each year with the Strategic Plan and this is reported out in the Annual Report. There is not a specific process related to the OCP. The OCP has built in implementation aspects through its policies. It is up to Council and Staff to bring forward and initiate. To a large extent those processes are in place but not specific to the OCP.
- How do we measure the OCP effectiveness and actuality? How do residents know if the OCP is on track? As the OCP is a broad vision, the policies are set out but really it is the performance of the Town in initiating the policies.
- 10. Concern of the freedom of the Council of the day to amend the OCP as they see fit.
- 11. With respect to the challenges of the Wharf, the Key Directions Report recommends more public space and gathering places which appears to be in direct difference to what the Town is planning for this space? The OCP is a series of policies that does not direct the resolution of a specific issue such as the case here. A political decision to be continued!
Thank you Corey – we appreciate you taking time out of your weekend to attend and present this report as well for your continued work in managing the OCP Review process
President’s Report
- Attached
Board Elections
- Continuing members: Dennis Carlsen, Steve Duck, Geoff Irwin, Lindy Templeman
- Nominations from the Floor – Lynda Comber
- MOTION to accept slate by acclimation – Made by Elaine Hicks, second Viv Harding. Passed
Financial and Membership Reports
- Year end financial report – MOTION to accept as presented by Nicholas Krischanowshy, seconded
- Current bank balance $3458.48
- Membership: 169
Moving Forward
- Official Community Plan
- Focus points: Transportation, Environment, Development
Questions from the Floor
- Website: SidneyCommunityAssociation.com
- Email: info@SidneyCommunityAssociation.com or SidneyCommunityAssociation@gmail.com
Closing
Thank you for coming and your continued support
Motion to Adjourn Made by Lynda Comber, second by Elaine Hicks 4:09PM