Cumberland council denied Monday an amendment application to further extend Bell Group’s proposed Cumberland Green project that has been stalled at third reading for a few years. Council had previously granted a pair of six-month extensions that run out next month.
While she feels the project is worthwhile, mayor-in-waiting Leslie Baird said too much time has already been allotted.
“A lot of things have changed,” said Coun. Gwyn Sproule, citing the Regional Growth Strategy as an example. She suggests the applicant begin the process again.
Coun. Kate Greening said some seniors felt the proposed retirement community at a Bevan Road acreage would have been too far from downtown.
Outgoing mayor Fred Bates and Coun. Bronco Moncrief did not attend Monday’s meeting.
Cumberland Green, an all-inclusive retirement community, was to include condominiums and apartments, a nine-hole golf course, medical services and extended care facilities.
Bell Group requested an additional six-month extension to provide time for their consulting team to review the bylaws and development agreement.
While the Victoria-based company has spent considerable time and money since first applying, Village staff no longer supports onsite servicing, in light of regional water and sewer studies, the RGS and the intervening time since the bylaws were first presented. Proposed changes to the development would require a new application, a rescinding of third reading and a new public hearing.
Bell Group president/CEO Dale Bellavance was not available for comment.
• • •
Sue Blamire, a resident at 3389 Primrose St., says she has nearly been hit by vehicles on Cumberland Road while trying to exit off her street at least nine times a month. A few years ago she complained to Village staff who said they would look at a hedge growing on the corner, Blamire states in a letter to the Village.
She said nothing was done and that an adjacent property owner has since erected a fence that has worsened the problem.
“This matter needs to be addressed before someone ends up in a vehicle accident from the lack of visibility,” states Blamire, who needs to pull out a full vehicle length past the stop sign to see oncoming traffic.
Acting CAO David Durrant said the Village should be able to address Blamire’s concerns, which he said are legitimate. He was to meet with her Tuesday.
• • •
Ambleside Estates has a beef with the owners at the old medical clinic at 2666 Ulverston Ave. The problem is debris from two tall trees that have damaged roofs at three homes in past years. Owners at Ambleside are also concerned about a fire hazard created by underbrush.
Durrant said the Village has not been able to contact the property owner.
• • •
Council resolved to urge the province to end funding cuts, implement a moratorium on group home closures, and provide sufficient financial resources to maintain the housing resource and address growing wait lists. The BC Community Living Action Group requested council to pass the resolution to bring awareness to the situation regarding housing for adults with developmental disabilities.
• • •
Council will not exempt the newly constructed Vancouver Island and Coast Visitor Centre from tax exemption, as requested by Comox Valley Economic Development Society president Murray Presley.
• • •
Council endorsed a recommendation from Durrant to create a cultural policy that will include a public consultation process to be included in the Official Community Plan process.
“I think it’s a step in the right direction,” Baird said.
• • •
Staff will prepare a Request for Proposal for campground management, operation and maintenance at Lake Park, and provide details about forming a Village corporation to manage the park. Council is not interested in having Holiday Trails lease the park for another year, nor closing the park completely.
reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com
