2293days since
The infamous planning 'charrette' on Echo Heights Forest by North Cowichan which brought the community together into the CRA

Community Bulletin Board

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Hot Tips
From E.J. - Those old creasote ties along the E&N should be disposed of properly. There is a big pile just above Askew Creek.
From Mary - People are already starting to dump their yard waste in ditches and along the railway line. This just spreads invasive species. We have free yard waste dumping at Peerless Road. Use it!
From Rodney - The old MacMillan haul road is getting to be a pig sty. Why do people throw their garbage there? It pollutes Mill Creek and looks ugly.
From T.R.J. - Askew Park is called a "wilderness park". Why doesn't someone (the muni, CRA, Communities in Bloom) take care of the invasive plants like the daphne, blackberry, holly, ivy and other stuff?
From F.R. - I see the Victoria Police are cracking down on loud motorcycles and cars. Can North Cowichan RCMP start doing the same thing? Chemainus and Victoria Roads need policing for noise and speed.
From Don - Communities in Bloom do hard work at the roundabout, but why plant all those annuals and exotics that need watering. We have some great native plants in our yard that are beautiful, perennial and NEVER need watering.

Letter to Mayor

December 10, 2009

Dear Mayor Walker,

The future of Echo Heights has been the subject of much discussion between the Chemainus Residents Association (CRA) and the Municipality of North Cowichan over the last several years. In an effort to provide a positive process for resolving the issues surrounding Echo Heights, the CRA is now forwarding this proposal to Mayor and Council for consideration and, hopefully, endorsement.

We are aware that the G.P. Rollo & Associates report has explored the possible fiscal benefits that could accrue to the Municipality from developing Echo Heights for residential use and recognize that Rollo found there would be net benefits. The terms of reference for that report, however, did not include identifying, let alone systematically exploring,
the potential benefits that could flow from other scenarios.

CRA is therefore proposing that a partnership be established to explore, in an expeditious and professional manner, the fiscal and other benefits that might accrue from other scenarios. We are also proposing that this project be undertaken by the confirmed partners at no cost to the Municipality, using the Rollo report as a baseline.

With municipal tax restructuring going on at this time, affecting every significant municipal action, the need for Council to explore all options becomes paramount. Taxpayers deserve nothing less, and over 1000 persons have signed a petition supporting a different use of Echo Heights.

We have had preliminary conversations with a number of parties about joining with CRA as partners in this analysis, and other potential partners will also be approached and recruited to the project. We request Council support and join that endeavour.

Respectfully,
Bernie Jones, Board member
Chemainus Residents Association

cc:
Chemainus & District Chamber of Commerce
Chemainus Biodiversity Education Project
Chemainus Business Improvement Association
Cowichan Land Trust
Cowichan Tribes
Cowichan Valley Naturalists
Cowichan Valley Regional District
Halalt First Nation
Lake Cowichan First Nation
Lyackson First Nation
Penelakut First Nation
School District #79
Stz’uminus First Nation
University of Victoria Environmental Law Clinic
University of Victoria POLIS Project
Vancouver Island University Geography Dept.