Public hearing for Marine Trail Resort - Tuesday Sept. 6

Politicians move at the speed of molasses, except when they're doing something unpopular (like planning to build new resort subdivisions in forest lands). Then, they want to rush it through as quick as possible.  The one and only official public hearing on the proposed resort plan is set for the first day after labour day. Are they hoping the "UVic rent-a-crowd" is too busy with a new term to show up?


Not much to say really. We've written letters, spoke out at meetings, sent emails, signed petitions, told our friends to do the same... now, we all have to pack this public hearing and let THEM know loud and clear that this resort plan is NOT OK.

When: Tuesday, September 6; rally starts at 3:30 pm

Where: Edward Milne School in Sooke (6218 Sooke Rd.)

 

We will only have this one final chance to speak out, before the political process closes its doors on us.  Now is the time to put this supposed democracy to the test.  And since local politicians have started fighting dirty (see older posts below for news on this) I feel it's our duty to respond in kind. No more nice and friendly - I am to misbehave, and look forward to others joining me.


Bring signs and banners! Bring drums and noisemakers! Let our voices ring out through Sooke, while we overfill the room and flood out into the streets.  This meeting is not over until the last person has spoken, so bring some coffee and a speech (or a song), and let's make this count.  Sooke isn't that far - buses make it out there from Victoria, and stop right in front of the school. And if that's not easy enough, the Sierra Club is organizing a bus!

What are you waiting for? Get on the bus! Check out the sierra club's website for more info.

Regional Director Mike Hicks throws a hissy fit, taunts opponents

There's no good news about the proposed resort on Juan de Fuca today -just Mike Hicks randomly insulting people in the Sooke News.
http://www.bclocalnews.com/vancouver_island_south/sookenewsmirror/news/124297959.html


Notable quote:

“The Dogwood Initiative army are at home eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches until school starts in the fall,” said Hicks. “The e-mails have stopped since school has been out. I imagine they are trying to delay this until the election in November (and a new land use committee), then the Dogwood can come out and chase me around.”

Mike Hicks: Vancouver Island's
most childish politician

This is from an elected official! I expect myself to stoop to petty insults, but not the people we elected to represent us.  Doesn't Mr. Hicks know enough to not poke his enemies with sharp sticks? He's just asking for a wake-up call. Over 700 letters on the issue apparently aren't enough to let Mr. Hicks know we're serious. We should call him!
Mike Hicks' cell phone number is 250-216-5802 (feel free to sling insults - he started it!) and his e-mail address is directorjdf@crd.bc.ca


Geoff Young and Graham Hill, chair and vice-chair of the Capital Regional District, met with Ida Chong, the community development minister. They were asking again that the province allow the whole board to vote on zoning decisions like in the rural resource lands between Sooke and Port Renfrew.


Ida said no, refusing again to right the wrong that was done to the park and to regional planning decisions when the province released that land for development three years ago. (More notes from Geoff Young's interview below).


The next meeting of the CRD baord is THIS WEDNESDAY JUNE 29. We will know Friday if the resort vote is on the agenda or if it needs more staff review. 

Mike Hicks is starting to crack under the pressure. It seems he's forgotten how to be professional, and has resorted to slinging insults and lies. Let's keep the pressure up and laugh as he gets even more incoherent. Who needs mommy to make their peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? Not us Mike!

Here's one more idiotic quote from Mr. Hicks:

Exposing the Juan de Fuca Trail to development may, in an ironic way, preserve the uniqueness and beauty of the trail. That’s the opinion of Juan de Fuca Electoral Area regional director Mike Hicks. He says denying the re-zoning would leave the trail and park exposed to the present zoning and inevitable development.

He states, “present zoning woud allow a clear cut fom the highway to the park boundary and opportunity for gravel extraction. It would also allow for each of the seven separate lots to have a dwelling built within 15 metres of the park boundary, outbuildings seven metres from the park boundary, and a collection of sawmills, boats, trailers, trucks, dogs and everything  great and part of rural living.”

This is his argument for approving a massive development of over 260 private homes - protect the area from development by developing it! Stop others from destroying the natural beauty by destroying the natural beauty! Because current zoning allows 7 homes and/or logging on the property, we should instead protect the land by allowing MORE development and MORE logging? 

Calm before the storm?

The CRD is working hard - some directors are trying to find ways to stop this madness, while voting block "A" is trying their best to forge ahead - and the rest of us seem to be in a waiting game.  The Juan de Fuca Land Use Committee (the urban planners working closely with the developer to see this project gets its proper consideration) have published nothing new since their April 19 staff report (http://www.crd.bc.ca/reports/juandefucalandusecom_/2011_/04april_/index.htm) where they dropped the following amazing bit of news:

There have been approximately 700 emails, letters or cards and a petition with 102 signatures submitted regarding this proposal.  The vast majority are opposed to the proposal largely based up on the perceived degradation of the JdF Provincial Park and the negative impact on the wilderness experience of the Marine Trail users.  A large segment of the respondents are opposed to the development that would potentially take land out of renewable resource use.  Based upon the large public opposition to the proposal, there is merit in not approving the rezoning of these lands.

Inexplicably, the recommendations included at the end of the staff report are to go ahead with the rezoning that the developer needs, ultimately leading to approving the project.  There's no real business case for approving the project - it's apparently just assumed that they really, really want to.

And so we wait. What will the CRD board decide? What will the JdF Land Use Committee recommend? Will Mr. Ilkay come to his senses and realize that this development is too big, too remote, and not welcome here?

One thing for sure: the game is not over when the CRD makes its decision. If they deny the project, Mr. Ilkay will likely sue someone. Or everyone.  And if they approve the project, local activists will be in an uproar. There will be public demonstrations, rallies, possibly some rowdy shenanigans, and if history is any guide there will be blockades and other direct action.  Possibly a lawsuit from some well-organized activists too, so the CRD should be prepared to go to court regardless of its decision.

This is far from over.... make your plans, bide your time, and see you all soon! Until then, enjoy a picture of Ender Ilkay destroying the Juan de Fuca Trail with his laser eyes! Curious to find out more about Ender Ilkay?

Boycott Marine Trails Resort: a creative outlet

My spoof ads for Ender Ilkay's Marine Trails Resort are already coming in, so I've decided to create a new blog devoted to more satire and artistic commentary. See what I think of Ender Ilkay and his Marine Trails Resort over at my sister site: Marine Trails Resort Review

If you find these funny, or have ideas for captions and art projects of your own, tell me in the comments! Or, use the contact form on this blog.  I will respond to all e-mail and comments, though it may take a while. There isn't internet access out in the woods yet, and I quite like it that way!

Please, send in your captioned photos or caption ideas! You can use the caption generator at roflbot!1! to caption any of Mr. Ilkay's pictures to add your thoughts (use google image search to find a good picture to caption)

CRD delays Marine Trails hearings for another month

Exciting news of today's CRD meeting has made it to me.  The CRD's "Land Use Committee A" (the 5-member committee that is somehow empowered to make decisions of enormous impact with seemingly little oversight) has recommended that the bylaw amendment hearing be delayed until the next CRD meeting in June.  This is likely because their planners are moving so fast to bend so many rules, they haven't had time to actually finalize any of their bylaws and agreements.  Its a strange game of politics they're playing, where they're using a phased development agreement to secure concessions from the developer.  This proposal is also the first strata-type development proposed in the region, so their policies and bylaws that would normally cover such things are literally nonexistant. Making up rules as they go along?

This would not normally be exciting, except for the OTHER developments from the meeting.  Councillors Phillippe Lucas and Vic Derman pushed hard to propose a new CRD policy for dealing with developments and proposals that are contrary to the CRD's Regional Growth Strategy.  Apparently, it was assumed that once all the various municipalities had agreed to the RGS, they would automatically start following it.  Hah. So there is apparently no process for the board to decide whether a community is violating the RGS, and if so, what to do about it.

This has been given a temporary fix: the CRD is now prepared to gain legal counsel and challenge proposals through the courts.  it would be better if they could just decide using their own mechanisms, or using an arbitrator, rather than going through an expensive legal process, but at least it's something.

This has laid the groundwork for the next logical step: a motion that Ender Ilkay's Marine Trail Resort proposal is in violation of the CRD's Regional Growth Strategy, and that it should be denied outright! The CRD Chair (Geoff Young) would not allow a motion to be brought forward under their newly-created procedure until the next meeting, but it seems likely that one will appear.

Now is the time to step up the pressure even more.  The CRD has heard us - hundreds of letters and emails have flowed in, and the CRD cannot ignore the massive public opposition to this proposal.  An easy way to help is to use the mailer created by the Wilderness Committee to reach the entire CRD board and encourage them to put a stop to this insane proposal.  In particular, thank and encourage Vic Derman and Philippe Lucas for their leadership on the issue.

Marine Trail Resort properties will be on sale soon!

Since it looks like the CRD is set to rubber-stamp Vancouver Island's newest sprawling subdivision, we thought we'd give a sneak-peak to the advertising that may soon be making an appearance. With an artist's creative touch, of course :)

(Note: pictures are not of actual Marine Trails properties. They haven't been clearcut.... yet!)

Ender Ilkay's Marine Trail Resort caption contest

People who love our wild west coast are left asking themselves: what in the world is Ender Ilkay thinking?!? Here's our thoughts on what might be going through his head, presented in single-frame comic form.

Ender Ilkay Marine Trail Resort Caption 

Ender Ilkay's thoughts on the Marine Trail Resort?

Feb. 15 Juan de Fuca Land Use Committee meeting

From http://www.crd.bc.ca/jdf/index.htm :

In response to comments received, the applicant has revised the proposal and provided additional supporting documents. The revised proposal will be considered at the February 15, 2011 Juan de Fuca Land Use Committee (LUC) meeting. The meeting will be held at the District of Sooke Council Chamber located at 2225 Otter Point Road starting at 7pm.

Staff are recommending that the revised proposal be referred to agencies for comment and that a public information meeting be held to discuss the revised proposal with the public. The public information meeting is tentatively scheduled for Thursday March 3, 2011 at Edward Milne Community School located at 6218 Sooke Road starting at 7pm.

The February 15 LUC staff report will be available after Thursday, February 10 atReports Library.

If you have any comments on the revised proposal please  email them to JDF information.

For further information please contact June Klassen, Manager Local Area Planning at 250.642.1500 local 206 or by  email.

Read the report at http://www.crd.bc.ca/reports/juandefucalandusecom_/2011_/02february_/index.htm

Operation: Endgame

The rich and powerful often think they can hide from the people they harm; that somehow their money will protect them. For those that are fed up with deforestation, suburban sprawl, the loss of wilderness areas, and the general takeover of public assets for private profit, it's time to be heard. Operation: Endgame begins yesterday.

Letters and petitions are an important part of the political process, so by all means continue to take part in them. But activism STARTS there, it does not STOP there. At times, one must get out of their armchair, turn off the computer, and go do something. Martin Luther King Jr. needed the Black Panthers, and Gandhi needed Barin Ghosh

What to do? Be creative. I know you can do it. Have fun and be safe!

Contact information for the CRD board

Thanks to a recent ruling by the BC Liberals, all minor rezoning applications in the Juan de Fuca region are decided by a 5-person committee made up of CRD board members.  The massive re-zoning of the Marine Trails Resort plan (279 cabins along 7km of the Juan de Fuca trail!!) is somehow being considered a minor rezoning.

Write to the members of "Land Use Committee A" and let them know what you think of this development!!

Mayor of Sooke:
Janet Evans

2205 Otter Point Road,
Sooke, British Columbia,
Canada, V9Z 1J2

Phone (250) 642-5532
Fax (250) 642-0541info@sooke.ca

Mayor of Metchosin:

John Ranns

4450 Happy Valley Road
Victoria, BC V9C 3Z3

tel: (250) 474-3167
fax: (250) 474-6298

jranns@metchosin.ca

Mayor of Colwood:

Dave Saunders

Colwood City Hall
3300 Wishart Road
Colwood BC V9C 1R1

Phone (250) 478-5999

Fax (250) 478-7516

mayorsaunders@telus.net

Mayor of Langford:

Stew Young

2nd Floor - 877 Goldstream Avenue
Langford, British Columbia
Canada, V9B 2X8

Phone (250) 478-7882

Fax (250) 391-3178 council@cityoflangford.ca

Juan de Fuca electoral area

Mike Hicks

#2-6868 West Coast Road,

PO Box 283
Sooke  V9Z 0S9
Ph: (250) 642-1500 loc. 207

Email: directorjdf@crd.bc.ca

... or write to the developer and let him know what you think!

Ender Ilkay

P.O. Box 93055

5331 Headland Drive

West Vancouver, BC

V7W 1V8

Toll Free : 877-879-8137

Phone: 604-515-5600

Fax: 604-921-4682

E-mail: ender@skillscoaching.com or ender@vistagrande.ca

Further contact for Ender Ilkay, director of Marine Trails Holdings No. 3 Ltd. and developer for the proposed "Marine Trails Resort":

Ender & Elena Ilkay

6060 Blink Bonnie Rd

West Vancouver BC

V7W 1V8, BC

Google map to 6060 Blink Bonnie Rd

Phone: 604-921-7399

Current threat to the wild coast

Over the last couple years the Juan de Fuca area has come under threat - from old growth logging, from urban sprawl and other development. Now a new threat has arisen in the form of a proposed tourist resort that would strech alongside 7 kilometers of this beautiful trail between China and Sombrio Beach.


West Vancouver developer Ender Ilkay and the Marine Trail Holding group wants to build nearly 300 tourist cabins within viewing of the public trail. The proposal calls for tree line “trimming” to ensure ocean view for the new home owners, and relocation of the trail in sereval places to steeper banks.

One piece of the proposed development plan.  Note the close distance from the cabins to the Juan de Fuca trail (in green)

We must take a stand against this project, not just to protect the integrity of Juan De Fuca Marine Trail, but also to ensure that the CRD does not open up this entire region to large-scale development. We need a strong vision for sustainability in the Juan de Fuca lands that protects wild places - like the Juan de Fuca Trail, the Red Creek Fir and Avatar Grove. Developments like this have no place on Vancouver Island’s Wild Coast.


Over the last couple years this area has come under threat - from old growth logging, from urban sprawl and other development. Now a new threat has arisen in the form of a proposed tourist resort that would strech alongside 7 kilometers of this beautiful trail between China and Sombrio Beach.


West Vancouver developer Ender Ilkay and the Marine Trail Holding group wants to build nearly 300 tourist cabins within viewing of the public trail. The proposal calls for tree line “trimming” to ensure ocean view for the new home owners, and relocation of the trail in sereval places to steeper banks.


Cabins and roads would encroach within 100 metres of the wilderness trail. If built, the resort will add to "tourism sprawl," increase demands for roads, increase greenhouse gases, impact wildlife, and ruin the wilderness experience of the Juan de Fuca trail.  And Ilkay intends to sell the "tourist" cabins.


We must take a stand against this project, not just to protect the integrity of Juan De Fuca Marine Trail, but also to ensure that the CRD does not open up this entire region to large-scale development. We need a strong vision for sustainability in the Juan de Fuca lands that protects wild places - like the Juan de Fuca Trail, the Red Creek Fir and Avatar Grove. Developments like this have no place on Vancouver Island’s Wild Coast.

Ender Ilkay is attempting to exploit a loophole in the CRD rezoning bylaws which would allow him to fast-track his zoning applications.  Worse yet, this bylaw would have the proposal voted on by just 5 members of the CRD board - the mayors of Sooke, Langford, Metchosin, and Colwood, plus the Juan de Fuca electorate region director.  We need to put as much pressure on these elected officials as we can. Stand up against them and stop urban sprawl!

The western half of the development plan

The Forest Action Network has a great list of resources that we can use, including more background information and a petition to stop sprawl in the Juan de Fuca region.  The Wilderness Committee has an online letter-writing campaign set up which provides key points for letter-writers (you!!) to consider. It makes it really easy - the letters practically write themselves.  Check out WTF Langford! to see how horribly some recent sprawling plans have gone, including all the juicy details on Len Barrie's Bear Mountain bankruptcy (that's right folks, Len couldn't pay his bills).  The Dogwood Initiative has some great articles and a campaign of their own that's easy to get involved with.

The Juan de Fuca Marine Trail

Welcome to the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail - a 47 kilometer hiking trail stretching along the western shoreline of southern Vancouver Island, Canada, from China Beach, just west of the community of Jordan River and extending to Botanical Beach near Port Renfrew. 

Introduction to the trail

The trail offers scenic beauty, spectacular hiking, wildlife viewing and roaring surf in its course along the Pacific coastline of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Most of the trail is designed for strenuous day or multi-day hiking in this rugged and isolated area. Some easy to moderate day hiking opportunities to the beach or along the trail are available starting from the trailheads at China Beach, Sombrio Beach, Parkinson Creek and Botanical Beach.

This unique trail was created through the Commonwealth Nature Legacy as an enduring reminder of the 1994 Victoria Commonwealth Games. Preservation of a living legacy of unprecedented natural beauty, accessible to all, was considered a fitting tribute to the spirit of the Games.

Construction and preservation of this trail has been made possible by the efforts of government, local industries and citizens. Land exchanges and gifts of land have come from Western Forest Products and Timberwest. The trail is being upgraded with funding from Forest Renewal BC and the and the Environmental Youth Team (E-Team).

Please remember that the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail is a wilderness area. Maintaining this wilderness atmosphere and protecting its cultural and natural features is the responsibility of every visitor.