THURSDAY July 18, 2013 Vol. 28 • No. 58 ••• $1.25 inc. G.S.T.
COMOX VALLEY
Your community. Your newspaper.
ARTS
SPORTS
Filberg Festival entertainment director Bobbie Blue is going out with a bang this year. page B1
Justin Kelly is among 25 Canadians who have been shortlisted to become a sportscaster. page B11
RECORD A division of
SECOND
PAIR
FREE
EVERYD AY! 349 B 5 th Street, Phone: 3 Courtenay 34-2043
www.comoxvalleyrecord.com
3L development proposal hotly debated by CVRD
Scott Stanfield
Record Staff
A developer’s proposal to construct a riverfront community near Stotan Falls will remain on hold until the regional district board clarifies details about amending the Regional Growth Strategy. At committee of the whole Tuesday, directors referred to the next meeting a staff recommendation to deny 3L Developments’ application for a standard amendment to the RGS, which addresses land use in the Valley over the next 20 years. The company hopes to construct homes and develop trails at the confluence of the Puntledge and Browns rivers. The district, however, has said the proposal is not in synch with the RGS. In March, the board rejected an offer to purchase the property for $9 million. The offer included Stotan Falls and Bull Island. The company then closed two sets of gates on Duncan Bay Main and enforced No Trespassing signs at Stotan Falls, but later reopened the road in hopes of resolving the situation. The gate closure prompted a protest at the falls to keep the popular swimming hole and hiking area open to the public. But 3L president David Dutcyvich says he has received phone calls from people who support the project.
“The people of the Valley want this to happen,” Dutcyvich said after Tuesday’s meeting. The United Steelworkers support the proposal. “We need change,” Local 1-1937 president Darrel Wong states in a letter to the CVRD. “We need to create steady, long-term jobs for the kids coming out of high school.” Over the course of a 10- to
We need change. ❝ We need to create steady, long-term jobs for the kids coming out of high school.
❞
Darrel Wong 15-year buildout, 3L plans to develop 740 lots for single-family homes and patio homes tailored for seniors. The project includes nine kilometres of trails, a parking lot and washrooms, links to public bus routes and a commercial centre that would serve Forbidden Plateau residents. It would create about 2,500 man years of employment, translating into 150 to 180 jobs and another 80 to 95 indirect jobs, according to company spokesman Kabel Atwall. Atwall said the recommendation to deny the application appears contrary to the March rejection letter in which CVRD board chair Edwin Grieve outlines three options, one of
BRIAN C DL8379
M LEAN
CHEVROLET • BUICK • GMC
which is to apply to amend the RGS and go through a public process. “We’re not here asking for a decision, just let the process unfold,” Atwall said Tuesday. He noted a flexibility provision in the RGS, referring to the Sage Hills proposal outside the city limits that had employment potential but ultimately failed. “I think this is one of those instances,” Atwall said. “We believe our proposal can set a positive benchmark for development in the Valley.” The RGS, adopted two years ago, says 90 per cent of growth in the Valley is to be directed to core settlement areas. A lack of available lots indicates a changing dynamic in the industry, says Atwall, noting the stalled Kensington and Trilogy proposals. Some directors questioned this statement. “We’re ready to move forward,” Atwall said. Cumberland director Roger Kishi has a hard time believing a development this size could be self-sustaining in terms of water and sewer. While he realizes “change is inevitable,” Grieve feels the project could be a possibility in the future. “It boils down to process,” he said, noting the ink has not dried on the RGS after about 40 meetings over two years. The process cost ... see DIRECTOR ■ A2
RIGHT ON TARGET Comox Valley Target team leader Pat McKenna cuts a ribbon to open the new store at Driftwood Mall in Courtenay. After that by-invitation-only ceremony Monday evening, the store opened Tuesday morning to the public. PHOTO BY ZENA WILLIAMS
Brass memorial Saturday Erin Haluschak Record Staff
A memorial service for former Comox mayor Jim Brass will be held Saturday at the Comox Community Centre. The former mayor, dentist and community volunteer, 64, passed away July 12.
Brass was mayor for two terms from 2002 to 2008. Mayor Paul Ives noted this week he admired Brass’ leadership style and his ability to encourage councillors to work together. Ives applauds Brass for his work with the skateboard park, the gymnastics facility and infrastructure for the town.
2145 Cliffe Avenue • Courtenay
•
cmyk
250-334-2425
M7010
•
photos@comoxvalleyrecord.com
7 UNITS IN STOCK
SPECIAL LIQUIDATION AND LIMITED TIME OFFER Toyota $ FROM 39,993 2013 Chevrolet 2500 Extended Cab 4x4
Brass was president of Comox Valley Marine Search and Rescue, along with operating a dental practice and was involved with the College of Dental Surgeons. He leaves behind his wife and two daughters. The service is scheduled for 1 p.m.
FOR MORE SEE DETAILS SEE A23
www.brianmclean.ca/used-inventory/