*Note: I've updated this post to include recent Facebook comments by citizens and by-election candidates.
Tom Dishlevoy's original post:"Hi all Comox Candidates: How about some comment on the following:
1. A third crossing of the Courtenay River?
2. Approval of low speed electric vehicles in Comox?
3. Daylighting of historic Comox creeks burried in the last 30 years?
4. A continuous waterfront walkway through Town?
5. 4 storey buildings in the downtown core?"
I've expanded this post to include some recent Facebook comments.
Tom Dishlevoy (29.12.2010)
"Here is a question for Pat [McKenna] specifically and the others as well. Do you see any big box stores in the future of Comox? Have you read the Smal-Mart Revolution?"
Brian Charlton (29.12.2010)
"What is their position on the Regional Growth Strategy?
On recording votes of councillers at Council meetings?
For starters."
Derek Bouchard (31.12.2010) Hi Tom, thanks for the questions... Some quick and unrefined answers... 1. Yes, but for pedestrians and cyclists. (more on this further down) 2. Yes. And other electric vehicles and hybrids. And dedicated parking spots in the downtown core to encourage their use. 3. This sounds good hypothetically, but I could see a lot of costs and possible problems involved. I would need to see a lot more details on what's involved. 4. Absolutely, linking up with the Courtenay Riverway Walkway. This would involve the third crossing I mentioned in answer 1. If we build an alternative away from regular traffic (Dyke Road), I think a lot more people would use that route, and leave the cars at home. 5. Only on the north side. While I support the principle of densification, I would hate to see streets where the sun never shined. I like how the condos on Comox Ave. are set back from the street, but for commercial on the bottom floor, businesses would want to front onto the sidewalk. I would hate to see the street have the feeling of entering a tunnel. |
Nico TeWinkel (01.01.2011) Hi Tom, sorry I just noticed your questions now. For future discussions, if you could tag my facebook page directly I'll be sure to comment sooner (facebook.com/NicoForComox). I'm happy to see that I have a lot of these answers in common with Derek! 1. I'm not sure if a river crossing is the best way to solve the problem of traffic. Streets are like storage areas that way - traffic will fill whatever space becomes available, and you'll be faced with problems again in the near future. Congestion of cars does, however, encourage people to use alternative means of transportation. The problem is that the bridges are pretty scary places for cyclists and pedestrians. So my suggestion is to add a dedicated cyclist and pedestrian crossing, as well as safe cyclist and pedestrian routes linking up to it. 2. Absolutely. We also need Courtenay and Area B to sign up to make it work. And we need to put some pressure on the provincial and federal governments (and transport Canada) to allow low-speed electric vehicles to travel at 60 km/hr rather than the current discouraging 40. They claim safety as the reason, but scooters are limited to 60 and are less safe. 3. This is a great idea where-ever possible. Streams are important to wildlife, clean the air, and add a sense of serenity to the surrounding areas. 4. Yes of course. I would also want to see more safe, dedicated cycling and pedestrian routes in general. 5. I'm not a big fan of taller buildings, as they really don't fit Comox as the tourism and retirement destination it currently is. I would vote against them, unless the specific setting happens to be perfectly suited for it. 6. Big box stores do not suit Comox, I will vote against them. 7. Regional Growth Strategy - I'm not sure what the question is, which may mean that I haven't been closely enough involved. In general I feel that growth should be planned for the Valley as a whole, rather than each city and area doing its own thing. Ultimately growth must be planned to make us less, rather than more, dependant on outside resources. 8. Yes - all council actions should be public information, especially the way each councillor is voting, as that's the only way they are really accountable to their voters. The "slightly more democratic" part of my platform is for exactly that reason - use the internet to keep the public informed and involved. |
Open Invitation
I invite all candidates to comment here. I also encourage readers and non-candidates to pose their own questions about the future of the Town of Comox, the larger Comox Valley region and how the Town works towards sustainability and better quality of life.
hanspetermeyer
2 January 2011
Posts
At some point in the next 50 years the valley is going grow exponentially. How do any of the candidates stand on the thought of amalgamation. Or at least equally weighted wards. There is way too much governance in the Comox Valley now and definitely with non-balanced votes/views - how could you change that if voted in?
ReplyDeleteSome answers to some of the other questions posed...
ReplyDeleteOn big boxes, certainly not in the downtown core. If it's done right, such as the Park Royal Village expansion in North Vancouver, it can be quite nice. The Home Depot looks like anything but a big box, and it's very walkable and street oriented. In that format, I could see some in the Anderton/Guthrie area. I haven't read the "small mart revolution", but know of it.
On the regional growth strategy. My question is, what took them so long to have this? It almost looks like a precursor for amalgamation. It was great to see so many groups get involved in the process, like the Land Trust and others. In the end it's only a visioning document of sorts, like an OCP. Much can, and likely will, change in the years to come.
On recording of votes. I could go either way on this one. I see both sides. What I would like to see is online webcasts of the council meetings and an archive. Any questions, and it's right there. Also this would make council more accessible to our elderly who have no way of getting to the meetings or have mobility issues.
On amalgamation. I would only support this if it was a ward system. There are too many unique areas of the valley that need to have their own destiny (Comox, Cumberland, Royston...), and not have it dictated by the biggest local government. The cost savings from the administration level could be quite substantial. As for the differing votes and views, I would be one voice at the table. I don't know how much change I could effect, but I could certainly try and bring the sides a little closer to the centre.
I'll do my best to update this post from the various sources, but It's best if people leave their comments here directly. My apologies to Patrick McKenna (one of the by-election candidates) for not noticing his initial (and prompt) response to Tom's questions on his (Pat's) election campaign FB page.
ReplyDeleteFrom: Pat McKenna & Friends - Get the Vote Out Comox
Hi Tom and Hi Hans.
Thanks for these!
1. A third crossing of the Courtenay River?
In light of the recent improvements to the twinning of lanes at Comox Road and the 17th street bridge, I am not sure that a 3rd crossing is necessary at this point. I really like Niko and Derek's idea of a bridge for pedestrian/bicycles. I believe a better study of the impact to the bay and estuary would be critical before an undertaking of this magnitude.
2. Approval of low speed electric vehicles in Comox?
Excellent idea. Comox should be the leader in all facets of sustainability.
3. Daylighting of historic Comox creeks buried in the last 30 years?
Habitat will only regenerate through careful planning and dirt under our fingernails. Oxygen breathes life into our community.
4. A continuous waterfront walkway through Town?
Why don't we have one already? I know councillor Arnott and Mayor Ives have both approached this extremely important subject. Family activities such as hiking/biking/skating only serve to strengthen our community.
5. 4 story buildings in the downtown core?
Our community must explore all avenues to support densifying our downtown core.
6. Big box stores in Comox?
Comox already has Bigger stores, ie extra foods and QF but my personal belief is that "Big Box," doesn't fit into the long range plans of the community.
To answer Brian's questions
7. Regional Growth Strategy.
I definitely have to do more research before I can answer this question thoroughly.
8. On recording votes of councilors at Council meetings?
Transparency is the only way that good government can keep the confidence of the electing public.
Great to see such a lively discussion here. I'm curious if any candidates are familiar with the Comox Valley Conservation Strategy? I'd be interested to hear your position on implementing it: http://www.cvconservationstrategy.org/
ReplyDeleteKerry Dawson
Education/Outreach Coordinator
Comox Valley Conservation Strategy
I support a third crossing of the Courtenay River, providing it is restricted to pedestrian and cyclists only. It would be far less expensive to build than a bridge for motor vehicular traffic, have a much smaller footprint and would make cycling and walking a more attractive alternative to using the car.
ReplyDeleteI support low-speed electric vehicles in Comox. For such cars to be truly viable, permission for them would have to expand over a larger area, including Courtenay. However you have to start somewhere. Oak Bay, which has a similar age profile to Comox, has successfully introduced electric vehicles.
One of the tragedies of our age is that we have greatly abused nature. I strongly support the daylighting of historic Comox creeks. It will be a slow process taking place as redevelopment happens. However there is a solid body of research and examples on creek restoration.
I recognize and share the community's long-term vision for a waterfront walkway. As waterfront properties comes up for redevelopment, if elected, I will actively work to achieve this spectacular vision as one of the crowning glories of Comox.
With regard to four-storey buildings in Comox's downtown core, it is important to remember how strongly the community felt when this issue came up before. People feared the loss of views and sunshine. They pointed out that with the slope of the land, exceeding the existing height restrictions downtown would have a big impact. I support the community's concerns. However in the higher parts of town, outside the downtown core, four stories can be appropriate.
I think big-box stores are inappropriate for Comox. We are a small-town community with a diverse range of locally owned small stores. We need to be supporting and encouraging our downtown merchants.
There are many good things in the Comox Valley Regional Growth Strategy. However I am totally opposed to the proposed 'settlement expansion areas' as they will result in urban sprawl. The Comox Valley is one of the most beautiful places in the world. However, like most beautiful things, it is very fragile. The belief that we can keep on spreading out is very destructive. It also produces a very inefficient settlement pattern particularly with regard to servicing and public transportation.
Yes I totally agree with recorded votes and if elected will personally request that all my votes be recorded.