Victoria, B.C. – Victoria’s five previous mayors have banded together with current Mayor Dean Fortin to oppose the planned $20-million luxury marina in front of Songhees.
“As former mayors of Victoria extending back in an unbroken line for 30 years, we represent a wide range of backgrounds, viewpoints and values,” they said in a May 21 letter. This letter is the latest volley fired in the ongoing battle between opponents and proponents over whether the proposed marina should be built in Victoria’s harbour.
It was signed by long-time marina critic Peter Pollen, who was mayor from 1981 to 1985, Gretchen Brewin, mayor from 1986 to 1990, David Turner, mayor from 1991-1993, Bob Cross, mayor from 1994-1999, and Alan Lowe, mayor from 2000-2008.
The letter was sent to Fortin and to B.C. Forests Minister Pat Bell, who is responsible for deciding whether to grant a lease for a water lot in the harbour. That lot would cover 2.63 hectares and serve as moorage area for 52 slips for large yachts.
“Despite assertions to the contrary, we state unequivocally that such a large marina extending over almost seven acres of the north shore of the harbour was never part of our city councils’ plan. The most that was ever envisaged in that quiet area of harbour frontage walkways and park was a small seasonal marine facility for local boaters,” it said.
A marina in front of Songhees has been part of the city’s development plans for more than 20 years. Zoning for a marina was approved in the 1980s but the scope of that project is now being debated. Local developer Bob Evans and WAM Development are behind today’s proposal.
When Evans, the original Songhees developer, learned of the former mayors’ letter Tuesday, he said, “There’s so much on record that I can’t understand why they would say that.
Marina zoning does not limit use to seasonal. “That was never contemplated by anybody on the planet.”
The question of values must be addressed, the former mayors wrote.
“At what point will commercial exploitation and congestion destroy the delicate balance of this tiny jewel of a harbour, and the attractive ambiance for tourists and citizens alike be lost forever?”
Along with many other marina opponents, the former mayors criticized decision making by government, done without a public consultation process. They said decisions are being made by government officials, ” … who appear to have no understanding of the scenic value of the harbour, nor the pleasure local boaters and walkers gain from the present configuration of the north shore area.
“We do not have to fill each unforgiving metre with unbroken development.
“Can we not spare the only remaining non-powered boating waterway, the Westsong Walkway and Lime Bay Park for current and future generations to enjoy?” Lime Bay Park is owned by the city and is adjacent to the Songhees condominium development.
The federal government has approved the project based on studies of impact on navigation, environment and fisheries.
Along with the province, the developer is seeking approval for a development permit from the city of Victoria. City council has said it believes plans for the marina are too big and that it wants to preserve its riparian rights (land-water access) at Lime Bay Park.
Citizens fighting the development say that it would affect views from the condominiums nearby and from the walkway. They fear it would change the ambiance of the harbour – an iconic image on Victoria tourism promotions – and harm the environment. Paddlers and other marine harbour users worry that more traffic in the busy harbour would increase safety risks.
cjwilson@tc.canwest.com
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.