Dunbar Residents Association News and Events

JAN 28 UPDATE

At the January 28, 2008 Vancouver Park Board meeting, after hearing from almost 30 delegations including the DRA, the Board voted unanimously NOT TO ENDORSE the concept of a privately developed and operated Observation Tower in QE Park and to instead ask staff to come up with a tree management plan that would restore views.

Highlights and minutes of the meeting will be posted on the Park Board meeting webpage.

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JAN 23 UPDATE

Despite the results of the Park Board’s public process in which 67% of respondents registered opposition to the Observation Tower proposal for QE Park, at least one commissioner is still considering supporting such a proposal.

According to a Jan 23 Courier article:

NPA parks board chair Korina Houghton said despite the negative response, she’s still undecided on how she’ll vote Jan. 28 when the proposal comes before the parks board.

“I’m still mulling it over,” said Houghton. “I know the consultation showed that the people who [attended meetings] weren’t in favour, but I’ve also heard from those who would like to see it go ahead. I’ll have to wait and see before I make a decision.”

For more information, read both Jan 23 Courier articles on this proposal:

• Dunbar residents rally against park tower proposal
• Proposed park tower may double as party pad

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The staff report on the proposal for a privately developed and operated observation tower at Queen Elizabeth Park is being presented at the next regular Park Board meeting:

• Monday, Jan 28, 7:00 PM, Park Board Office, 2099 Beach Avenue

The Board has been given two options to consider:

A. THAT the Board endorse in principle the concept of a privately developed
and operated observation tower in Queen Elizabeth Park, and that staff
prepare a call for Expressions of Interest;

OR

B. THAT the Board not endorse the concept of a privately developed and
operated observation tower in Queen Elizabeth Park.

The report notes that staff received 311 submissions from the public on the tower proposal: 83 (27%) in favour, 20 (6%) undecided) and 207 (67%) opposed.

Individuals wishing to address the Board on this issue can register for the speaker’s list by phoning Julie Casanova at 604-257-8451 by 12:00 Noon on Jan 28th.

If you cannot attend the meeting, you can send comments to VPB by FAX to 604-257-8427 or email individual commissioners:

Korina Houghton: korina.houghton@vancouver.ca

Ian Robertson: igrobertson@telus.net

Allan de Genova: adegenova@sutton.com

Spencer Herbert: spencer.herbert@vancouver.ca

Heather Holden: heather@heatherholden.ca

Loretta Woodcock: lorettaisalways@shaw.ca

Marty Zlotnik: martyz@zlc.net

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BACKGROUND

In Spring 2007 the Vancouver Park Board received a proposal for a privately developed and operated viewing tower adjacent to the Bloedel Floral Conservatory at Queen Elizabeth Park [view Park Board notice].

The design features three viewing decks, the topmost 56 metres (183′) from the ground, with a gift shop and snack bar at the ground level.

Community consultation through a public review process was undertaken. Public workshops were held in November 2007 for residents to review the proposal and provide comments on the concept of a privately developed and operated viewing tower in QE Park.

Comments were also submitted to the Park Board in the following ways:

• by email at pbcomment
• by mail to 2099 Beach Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V6G 1Z4
• or on the Park Board comment line at 604-257-6911

The DRA Board sent a letter to the VPB opposing this proposal.

Sites:

• Vancouver Park Board Announcement

Media coverage:

• Vancouver Sun (Jan 29/08): Park board topples tower and curtain of trees remains
• Vancouver Courier (Jan 25/08): Short is beautiful, says QE park neighbour
• Vancouver Courier (Jan 23/08): Dunbar residents rally against park tower proposal
• Vancouver Courier (Jan 23/08): Proposed park tower may double as party pad
• Vancouver Courier (Nov 14/07): ‘Jetsons’ tower proposed for park not a crowd pleaser
• Georgia Straight (Apr 12/07): Queen Elizabeth Park tower causes concern

[Interview with Ned Jacobs, "long-time Riley Park resident and citizen watchdog" and opponent of the QE Park tower. Ned is the late Jane Jacobs' son. Who was Jane Jacobs? Well she is the godmother of EcoDensity.]

DRA Newsletter

Residents are encouraged to submit articles for the newsletter. Please email your submission to draboard@dunbar-vancouver.org.

Deadline is a month before the Newsletter is published.

Published four times a year:

• February
• April (the Salmonberry Days Calendar)
• June
• Late October (includes November AGM notice)

Hand-delivered to 5300 homes in the Dunbar/Southlands area.
If your block is not receiving it, please contact us.
Consider being a volunteer delivery person.

Visit the DRA Newsletter Archive for past issues.

Once again Park Board employees were called on to repair an area of Chaldecott Park which had been vandalized by a car doing “donuts” on the field in the wee hours of the morning Friday Jan 11, 2008. For more information, please read the Jan 16, 2008 Courier article.

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At last year’s DRA AGM, Ian Robertson from Vancouver’s Parks Board mentioned his concern about people driving on the grass in our parks. He said if we do see anyone to contact the Dunbar Community Patrol or the Police non-emergency line.

In a recent walk though Chaldecott Park… it’s just full of tire tracks from someone doing many wheelies on the flat section to the west.

Dunbar Vision Implementation Committee
(DVIC)

January 21st, 2008
7-9 PM
St Philips Church
3737 West 27th Avenue

The only consistently HOT topic in Dunbar is always property development. For those of you not familiar with the Dunbar Vision Plan & DVIC this meeting will be a good chance to catch up. Check out the DVIC notes from our DRA website which has links to more DVIC information from the Vancouver City website.

This will also be a good meeting to attend as there is a Special Council Meeting scheduled for February 26, 2008 where Vancouver City Council will listen to the public before voting on EcoDensity.

The attached ad/greeting came from the Dec21/07 Courier. It says the EcoDensity Team will be attending Vision Implementation Committee meetings citywide to discuss EcoDensity with attendees. Unfortunately, for those in Dunbar interested in Density, the EcoDensity team, unannounced, visited the last DVIC meeting.

Bring any questions about the Dunbar Vision or EcoDensity to this meeting. Now is a good time to learn about your neighbourhood.

Click the “Holiday Greetings” image to enlarge it.

FEBRUARY 2008

*Sun, Feb 3, 6:30 – 9:00 PM, Kay Meek Centre, West Vancouver

Chase away the winter blues with WOZA AFRIKA — an evening in Africa with music, dance, and acrobatics sponsored by Education Without Borders (EWB), a Vancouver nonprofit organization.

• Tickets: Adults $60, Kids under 12 $20, Students $30
• Starring Yamoussa Bangoura of Cirque Eloize fame, this lively event will help raise money for improved educational opportunities in disadvantaged regions of the world;
• For more information about EWB and ordering tickets go to www.educationwithoutborders.ca or call Joel Milgram, 604-732-0700 if you have further questions.

*Wed, Feb 6, 7:00 PM, QE Main School gym (4102 W. 16th Ave)

VSB Public Meeting re Proposed Closure of Queen Elizabeth Annex (see Proposed Closure of QE Annex page on this website for more information)

*Thurs, Feb 7, 7:00 – 9:00 PM, Dunbar Community Centre, Room 202

Neighbourhood meeting with City’s EcoDensity team to discuss EcoDensity initiative with Dunbar residents (see EcoDensity page on this website for more information).

• City planners Thor Kuhlmann and Cathy Buckham will be present to provide information and answer residents’ questions.
• Learn more about EcoDensity and its implications for Dunbar.
• Express your views on this important subject.

*Thurs, Feb 7, 7:00 PM, St. Faith’s Church gym, 7284 Cyrpress Street (at 57th)

Discovery Club (local toastmasters club) meeting - If you are interested in improving your public speaking skills, please visit us. Our club is small, which gives participants lots of practice. We meet every two weeks, rather than weekly. Meetings run from 7:00 – 8:30 or 9:00

• The theme of this meeting is Chinese New Year.
• If you wish to contact a member before the meeting,contact Al at awelch-37@telus.net or Pat at pat_stone@telus.net

*Mon, Feb 11 and Tues, Feb 12, 7 PM, VSB Boardroom, 1580 W. Broadway

Vancouver School Board meeting re: Phase 1 EFR Proposals including closure of QE Annex School (see Proposed Closure of QE Annex page on this website for more information)

• This is an opportunity for the public to address the Board.
• Delegates must pre-register to speak by contacting VSB Secretary at 604-713-5286 by 12:00 noon Feb 10th.

*Sat, Feb 23, 1:30 – 3:30 PM, Dunbar Community Centre

“Speaking Sex with Children” – a free parent education workshop

• Come and build your skills with award-winning sex educator and author, Meg Hickling, the internationally known author of “Speaking of Sex.”
• Meg will present an educational talk designed to enhance your knowledge about today’s sexual health issues and to build your skills to openly communicate with your children.
• Brought to you by Dunbar Memorial Parent Participation Preschool and the Dunbar Communitiy Association.
• Register for this free workshop online at dunbarcentre.ca or call 604-222-6060.
• More information available at the Dunbar Memorial Preschool website.

*Tues, Feb 26, 7:30 PM, Vancouver City Hall, Council Chambers

Special Council Meeting on EcoDensity Charter and Initial Actions (see EcoDensity page on this website for more information)

*Tues, Feb 26, 7:30 PM, Dunbar Community Centre, Room 202

Dunbar Garden Club monthly meeting

• Kathy Leishman: Establishing a Drought-Tolerant Garden on Bowen Island.
• Kathy lives and gardens on Bowen Island.
• We will also have a seed exchange (take seeds in exchange for seeds or coins).
• Drop-in fee is $3.