Mon 26 Nov 2007
Posted by DRA Webmaster under Tree Committee
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The “Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign,” launched by the United Nations Environment Program, has received well over a billion pledges and has seen nearly 800,000 trees actually planted worldwide during 2007. It’s not too late to join in. Individuals and organizations are invited to make tree planting pledges on-line at http://www.unep.org/billiontreecampaign/
Sat 24 Nov 2007
Posted by DRA Webmaster under Board
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The DRA AGM was held on November 19 with over 100 residents in attendance.
Meeting Summaries are now available for the BUSINESS MEETING as well as the ASK YOUR POLITICIANS Q&A SESSION.
Read the Nov 21 Courier article referencing the AGM: Dunbar calm on social housing proposal.
NB: Regarding a statement in this article about the DRA Seniors’ Housing Committee working with the 41st & Balaclava developer, committee member George Pinch has responded as follows:
“… following the meeting between the Seniors Housing Committee and Mr. Ouellette of Emaar Developments, it was decided that the Emaar proposal did not meet what the Seniors’ Housing Committee feels is needed for seniors in Dunbar. Add to this that we have since heard that the project could involve a building as high as 8 storeys. The committee realizes that this height is well beyond what is considered a desired maximum height for Dunbar …”
City Councillors Suzanne Anton, David Cadman and Raymond Louie, and Parks Board Commissioners Loretta Woodcock and Ian Robertson will be present to respond to your questions. Cards will be available at the door so you can write down your questions and submit them when you enter.
Once again residents of Dunbar will have the opportunity to ask the people who represent us about issues facing our community, such as:
DRA board members for the 2007/2008 term will be elected during the business part of the meeting from 7:30 to 8:00 pm. If you would like to become a board member, please leave a message, including your name and contact information on the DRA phone line at 604-222-9824 by November 12, 2007.
We hope you will join the Dunbar Residents’ Association and help to support our work with your membership fee. You can drop off your completed membership form (on the back of the newsletter), along with our membership fee at the door.
We look forward to seeing many of you, old and new members alike, at the AGM. Let’s ensure that those who represent us are made well aware of our concerns.
Sat 24 Nov 2007
Posted by DRA Webmaster under Board
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As part of the AGM, the DRA hosted an “Ask Your Politicians” session on November 19, 2007 from 8:00 – 10:00 PM at St. Philip’s Church, immediately following the AGM business meeting.
City Councillors Suzanne Anton, David Cadman and Raymond Louie and Park Board Commissioners Ian Robertson and Loretta Woodcock kindly agreed to participate. This meeting was chaired by Robin Elliot, Professor of Law at UBC.
Streetscapes/Landscapes/Billboards
The first issue raised noted that there had been little improvement to the streetscapes in Dunbar over the years whereas other neighbourhoods had seen improvements. There was also a concern that Dunbar has a large number of “free” newspaper boxes cluttering the sidewalks. Advertising at bus stops and the billboard at 41st and Dunbar detract from the neighbourhood.
The Councillors noted that advertising at bus stops is limited to a contract the City signed several years ago. Also billboards are governed by City regulations, however within these regulations billboards can be erected on private land.
Councillor Cadman noted that even when the City has tried to have a non-conforming billboard taken down (e.g., at the Lee Building, Broadway and Main) the owner refused to do so. It is not possible to enforce the order other than for the City to remove the billboard at great (taxpayers’) expense.
There are also regulations about the number of newspaper boxes permitted and the Councillors urged residents to contact City staff to report any concerns. Due to staffing shortages, many issues rely on citizens to submit complaints.
Councillor Anton noted that Dunbar is in the process of establishing a Business Improvement Association and the BIAs in other neighbourhood have been quite effective in working with the City to effect streetscape improvements.
Pacific Spirit Park Lands
Residents commented on the recent transfer of two parcels of Pacific Spirit Park as well the University Golf Course to the Musqueam Nation as part of court-ordered negotiations related to the golf course. The Park Commissioners and the City Councillors expressed concern about the loss of park land and advised residents to convey their concerns to the Metro Vancouver Parks Committee. It was noted that Councillor Elizabeth Ball represents Vancouver on that committee.
Later in the meeting, a PSP supporter asked residents to attend the next meeting of the Metro Vancouver Board of Directors to be held November 23, 9:00 a.m. at the Metro Vancouver office, 4330 Kingsway to show their support for the Board taking a strong stand on preserving all park lands.
Supportive Housing at 16th and Dunbar
The DRA circulated an information sheet summarizing the latest information about the 12 supportive housing sites that will be developed by the City to provide social and supportive housing for low income singles who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
The wording of the Memorandum of Understanding related to this initiative appears to indicate that the site at 16th and Dunbar St. will be used to house approximately 50 tenants, 1/3 to 1/2 of whom have a mental illness and are referred and served by a mental health service provider. The remaining 1/2 to 2/3 of the tenants would be core need (low-income) singles.
The Councillors indicated that the population to be housed at a given site will not be determined until the service providers for each site are selected. This was confirmed by Rob Whitlock, the Senior Housing Officer for the City of Vancouver Housing Centre.
Councillor Cadman noted that, while the City is pleased to see the Province providing funding for social and supportive housing, they have only committed funding for the initial planning of these sites. He also noted that the social and supportive housing proposed in this initiative is focused only on low-income singles including those with mental health and/or substance abuse issues, with no provision for low-income families or seniors.
Councillor Anton repeated her remarks from the 2006 DRA AGM that the City was prepared to address any safety concerns that neighbours had. (Also, see comments of Constable Braithwaite of the Community Policing Office in the DCP report from the Business Meeting of the 2007AGM.)
The Councillors also indicated that residents will have an opportunity to express their opinions at a Special Council Meeting to be held on the evening of December 12. After Council has heard from residents they will vote on the proposal.
Councillor Anton extended an invitation to members of the DRA Board and Vision Implementation Committee to arrange a time to visit the supportive housing facility at 39th and Fraser that opened in August of this year. The site has only been open a few months but there seems to be no problems for the neighbours.
Park Commissioner Woodcock reported anecdotally that a relative lived very close to the site, and although initially her relative had been very concerned about safety issues, she has not experienced or heard of any problems.
One important point that the Councillors made was that Vancouver was doing more than its share of providing housing for the homeless, and the surrounding municipalities needed to do more.
Proposed Development at 41st and Balaclava
A question was raised about the scope and design of a luxury condominium development proposed for 41st and Balaclava St. Emaar Properties, a development company based in Dubai, is proposing to build a 50-60 unit complex that would extend along 41st Ave from Balaclava St. to the Kerrisdale school playground and north some 300 feet to include the property where the existing lane and Knox United Church Fellowship Centre sit. The proposal currently includes at least one building as high as 8 storeys. This is considerably taller that the 4 storey maximum proposed for housing along arterials in the Dunbar Vision document. Residents are very concerned about the size of the complex and its impact on immediate neighbours in particular.
Councillor Cadman was emphatic that these projects must follow the Vision. Councillor Louie said densification projects “are happening all around the city but the overarching principle should respect the Vision process and input from neighbours.” Councillor Anton noted that there would be ample opportunity for neighbours to provide input. (However, later in the meeting, a resident pointed out that neighbours had overwhelmingly opposed the demonstration project at 39th and Dunbar St. and yet the Councillors had approved it unanimously.)
Queen Elizabeth Park Observation Tower Proposal
Residents are strongly opposed to the proposal for a privately developed and operated 60m observation tower atop QE Park. The park commissioners noted that the idea behind an observation tower at QE Park is to provide the unobstructed views that visitors previously enjoyed before the trees grew so large. It was suggested that the 360 degree view could be restored by selective removal of some trees (replacing them with younger smaller trees) and pruning of other trees.
The commissioners reported that the Park Board budget was cut by $800K last year and the Board was looking at ways to make up this loss of funds. It was also noted that visits to QE Park by tour buses are way down, perhaps due to the RAV line construction along Cambie St.
Both Commissioners noted that they were not personally very supportive of this particular tower proposal and wondered if residents might be more open to an observation tower with a more harmonious design (possibly a wooden structure) for the site.
EcoDensity
The topic of EcoDensity came up several times during the evening. Councillors Cadman and Louie are critical of this initiative, in particular that no one really knows what it means.
Councillor Cadman asked how EcoDensity proponents can promote reducing our ecological footprint while at the same time supporting the construction of big box stores (such as those proposed along SE Marine Drive) with thousands of cars converging on these stores daily. He noted that the Fraser industrial land should be retained for industrial purposes, otherwise people will be living in Vancouver and commuting to Surrey and beyond to work.
Councillor Anton assured residents that EcoDensity was not an attack on single family housing as other groups have suggested.
Sat 24 Nov 2007
Posted by DRA Webmaster under Board
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The AGM Business Meeting was held on November 19, 2007 from 7:30 – 8:00 PM at St. Philip’s Church with over 100 residents in attendance. For the formal minutes of the Business Meeting, click HERE.
Election of 2007-08 DRA Board
Board members elected for 2008 are returning members: Caroline Astell, George Pinch, Gerard Charlton, Sonia Wicken, Susan Chapman, Ellen Hockin, Walter Wells and Ellen Oerzen. New Board members elected are: Jonathan Baker, Tina Crouse, Hareesh Sara and Robert Westendorp.
Dunbar Community Patrol (DCP)
A brief review of DCP activities for 2006/2007 was presented. Linda MacAdam, chair of the DCP, reported that since they have been in operation (spring 2005) crime has decreased by 50% in Dunbar and Southlands.
A new VPD Community Policing Office is being established in the vicinity of West Broadway which will serve Dunbar north of King Edward as well as West Point Grey and Kitsilano.
Regarding the impending construction of a supportive housing facility at 16th and Dunbar, Linda gave the following report on information she had received from Constable John Braithwaite, the Officer for this new district CPO:
“…While the local community officer supports social housing programs, he will certainly do his best to meet with all concerned and make sure that the law is upheld. Any abuse or taking advantage of situations will result in police action. VPD will not tolerate any drug dealing/use in this area. I would hope one day for it not to be tolerated in any area.”
DRA Tree Committee
Catherine Evans reported on the activities of the Tree Committee. The Committee has produced handouts on the following topics:
Dunbar Vision Implementation Committee (DVIC)
Colin Gray, Chair of the DVIC, reviewed the activities of this group for the past year. These included:
The DVIC is planning an Open House in the spring to introduce the committee to the community, ask residents for their opinions about Dunbar and the Vision, and encourage residents to join the DVIC and/or one of its subcommittees. (NB: The DVIC is a committee established by the City of Vancouver to assist with the implementation of the Dunbar Vision.)
Dunbar History Book
Larry Moore provided an update on the Dunbar History book, The Story of Dunbar, published by Ronsdale Press in May 2007. More than 3,000 copies have been sold.
The DRA hosted a book launch in May and Larry reported that the book has been nominated for two awards. There is also a display at the Planetarium. The History Book Committee is also compiling additional material for the archives.
New Website
Ralph Sayle, our webmaster, announced that the DRA website has been redesigned and updated. The website is at the same URL: www.dunbar-vancouver.org. Information should be more readily accessible as the most current information will now appear first. Older information will be readable by scrolling down the page. Information has been arranged into tabbed categories that visitors should find intuitive and easy to use.
Thu 22 Nov 2007
Posted by DRA Webmaster under Techie Corner
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I’m sure the techies already know this about the website but I must spread the credit.
In the big picture I did very little, except make a few decisions.
Appreciations…
Tue 20 Nov 2007
Posted by DRA Webmaster under Environment
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About a month ago I was watching and waiting patiently for the Fraser Chums to show themselves in huge schools in Johnstone Strait. Day after day passed by, with no sign of the last large run of salmon to the Fraser this year.
Chum salmon was one of the first salmon species to move from the Columbia River after the last ice sheet covered BC 11 thousand years ago. They pushed their hooked noses into a newly forming river we now call the Fraser, survivors of the Great Ice.
As a commercial fisherman, semi retired, I have always considered Chum or “Dogs”, as fishers call them, the sign that my salmon fishing year was ending. The Fraser Sockeye Runs did not return in any harvestable numbers this season and the gill-netters did not fish. Surprise, surprise — in the second week of October, the Chums announced their late arrival, literally pushing through Johnstone Strait in huge schools. The large numbers of salmon triggered commercial Chum Fishing openings in Georgia Strait, Johnstone Strait, USA Point Roberts and the Fraser River.
But all was not looking “Salmon Rosy.”
Wild Fraser River Coho and endangered wild Fraser Steelhead were showing signs of very low abundance in all salmon testing areas and were migrating with the Chums. How to harvest a huge, so-called surplus of returning Fraser Chums without killing Coho and Steelhead in some fisheries that are known to be non-selective? It’s again a fisheries management nightmare that has happened numerous times before.
To commercial fishers, Chums caught early in Johnstone Straits are called SILVERBRIGHTS. They are prized as a fresh market fish and pay the high engine fuel oil bills with a little cash left over for the fishing boat and men.
In the Fraser, sometimes it’s a little different story: the Chum fishery usually becomes an “EGG HARVESTING FISHERY.” Only female Chums have the greatest value, and males sometimes do not pay enough to be considered of any value. But on the spawning grounds, females are of great importance to continue the species on to the next generation.
[This Chum story that I have just began to tell has another chapter. Look for the continuing Chum Story on email in a couple of weeks.]
Terry Slack
Mon 12 Nov 2007
Posted by DRA Webmaster under Contact Us
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Contact information for the Dunbar Residents’ Association
Tue 6 Nov 2007
Posted by DRA Webmaster under Tree Committee
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Who We Are: We are a group of Dunbar residents with a particular interest in trees. We believe that through learning about and caring for trees, we gain a greater understanding of the environment and our role in ensuring its sustainability.
We meet on an irregular basis with much of our communication taking place by e-mail.
To join the Tree Committee and become part of our e-mail group please be in touch with Catherine Evans at cpwevansattelusdotnet (please replace the at and the dot with the appropriate symbols).
Mission: We seek to promote awareness and appreciation among our neighbours for the role that trees play in enhancing the overall livability of our community and we look for opportunities to work with City and Parks Board arborists, interested developers, homeowners and others to support the preservation and maintenance of a healthy and diverse tree population in Dunbar and beyond.
Resources: We have developed the following resources that we hope you will find useful:
* Free Boulevard Trees you can ask City of Vancouver to plant a “street tree” on your boulevard.
* Caring for your New Tree young trees need water and a little bit of protection.
* Small Trees for City Gardens this list of small trees was developed by Douglas Justice, UBC Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research
Links: General Information
* www.arborday.org (USA)
* www.treesaregood.com International Society of Arboriculture
* www.treelink.org (Urban Forestry Portal – USA)
* www.toronto.ca/trees (Canada – Ont)
* www.treecanada.ca/index_e.htm (Canada)
* www.city.kelowna.bc.ca/CM/Page940.aspx (Canada – BC)
* www.hctf.ca/ (Canada – BC)
Find an Arborist We encourage you to consult a certified arborist prior to any significant pruning or other matter (note: we strongly oppose topping a tree – it is a damaging practice, not related to pruning at all). To locate a certified arborist visit the website for the International Society of Arboriculture: www.isa-arbor.com or go to the www.treesaregood.com website (sponsored by the ISA) and click on the “find a tree care service” tab.
City of Vancouver Tree By-laws: The City of Vancouver has by-laws dealing with trees. To review the Street Tree By-law tree go to: www.vancouver.ca/bylaws/10249v1.pdf
Give a Gift of Trees: On occasion, our members have seedlings or know where seedlings can be obtained.
If you are interested in obtaining seedlings either to plant or to give as gifts or party favours, we may be able to help. Alternatively, if you have seedlings to give away, we may be able to find some takers.
Please e-mail cpwevansattelusdotnet (replace the at and the dot with the appropriate symbols).
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