Archive for April, 2012
125th Anniversary of No.1 Mine Disaster to be Marked on May 3
Posted in Events, Neighbourhood Flavour, tagged Number One Mine on April 30, 2012| 3 Comments »
Peter Presotto
Posted in Community Member Profiles on April 27, 2012| 1 Comment »
Peter Presotto December 17, 1935 – April 23, 2012
Sad new to pass along that Peter Presotto, long time SECA member, friend and neighbour passed away on April 23rd at NRGH at the age of 77. Peter hadn’t been well for the past couple of years and wasn’t able to participate in SECA activities as much as he would have liked.
Peter Presotto was a really lovely man and a wonderful south end citizen. He was a passionate supporter of our association and dedicated countless hours to supporting the association and participating in our efforts to strengthen and improve the neighborhood.
He was an impeccable SECA Treasurer for many years, fund raised for the Miners Picnic for most of the past 20 years, (we call his list of donating businesses, “Peter’s List”), was instrumental in the development of the Chase River Estuary Park, (we’ll be thinking of Peter tomorrow at our annual Estuary Park Day), turned up for all the meetings and events and generally helped out in any way he could.
If you wanted to describe a model member of a local community association, Peter Presotto would be as good an example as you could find.
Our love and very best wishes to Peter’s wife Vilma.
Peter’s funeral will be held at St Peter’s church, Fitzwilliam Street on Monday, April 30, at 10.30am.
All are welcome.
Douglas Hardie
SECA Chair
Former SECA Chair featured in Daily News
Posted in SECA: A Closer Look, tagged Chase River Estuary Park, Estuary Day on April 24, 2012| Leave a Comment »
Torhjelm continues to champion the wonders of city’s south end
Nanaimo resident has spent two decades promoting area in a positive light
Krista Bryce, The Daily News
Published: Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Charles Torhjelm sits in the living room of his south-Nanaimo home, surrounded by pictures, posters and newspaper clippers from the past 20 years.
The items represent two decades of passion-driven work by Torhjelm, former president of the South End Community Association, to promote the south end in a positive light.
Click on headline link to go to the rest of the article.
2012 Chase River Estuary Day set for Sat April 28
Posted in Events, tagged Chase River Estuary Park on April 21, 2012| Leave a Comment »
It’s the spring event of the season in the South End!
Chase River Estuary Park Day, April 28, 10:00 am to about 1:00 or so.
Event is at the South End of Haliburton St. behind the Bold Knight
Charles Thirkill, well-known biologist and author, is our host for catching small fry salmon for youngster to net and release and adults to admire. (Charles is also:-Champion for City of Nanaimo’s Official Flower > Bog bird’s-foot trefoil)
A person of Great Charm:- Molly Byrne, well known naturalist, will show us the way regarding interesting natural plants and the not so good boys and girls plants, who can cause us difficulties like naughty, disobedient weeds
Steve Baillie, a well known naturalist will be our guide as – – It’s Bird Romance Time. Some do it on the Water. Some do it in the trees. Some do it on the ground and some on the telephone poles.
Deborah Beck, Recreation Coordinator, Bowen Social Centre, will assist in interesting Walks in the Chase River Estuary and perhaps Petroglyph Park later in the day. She will also bring info about Nanaimo’s upcoming “Bike to Work” week (May 28 – June 3)
A terrific event for families of ALL ages!
Make a day of it!
Nanaimo man in custody after knife fight
Posted in Neighbourhood Issues, tagged Balmoral on April 16, 2012| Leave a Comment »
Daily News
Published: Monday, April 16, 2012
A 45-year-old Nanaimo man is in police custody after a knife fight at the old Balmoral Hotel on Friday night.
South End Neighbourhood Plan
Posted in Neighbourhood Plan, Uncategorized, untagged, tagged Neighbourhood Plan on April 7, 2012| 1 Comment »
Whereas it is now eighteen months since the Community Plan was accepted by Council,
And
Whereas there has been very little in the way of implementation by either the City or SECA
Move that South End Neighbourhood Association asks Chris Sholberg calls the annual meeting of the Community Plan Steering Committee within the next four weeks.
South End Neighbourhood Plan – Implementation Actions (2011-Dec-05)
Implementation Action |
Plan Reference |
Timing |
Status |
|
|||
Land Use and Development |
|
||
1.Amend Map 1: Future Land Use of the OCP to match Map 1: Neighbourhood Land Use contained in South End Neighbourhood Plan. | Section 5.1.(1) |
Immediate
|
Done |
2.Amend the Development Permit Area 9 guidelines contained in Section 7.4. of the OCP to include the South End Urban Design Guidelines. | Section 6.2. |
Immediate |
Done |
Open Space and Connectivity |
|
||
3.Evaluate the need for additional bike racks at Deverill Square and Knowles Park. | Section 5.2.(5) |
Immediate
|
City Parks Dept. will evaluate |
4.Work with the Nanaimo Port Authority and Snuneymuxw First Nation to explore the feasibility of establishing pedestrian access points from the neighbourhood to the waterfront along Milton, Farquhar, Sabiston, Needham, Robins and Woodhouse streets. | Section 5.2.(12) |
Short term
|
No action yet |
5.Initiate discussion to jointly design a new waterfront park, waterfront walkway, and public boat launch area with both the Nanaimo Port Authority and the Snuneymuxw First Nation as part of a plan for the future Assembly Wharf / CP Lands. | Section 5.2.(13) |
Short term
|
No action yet |
6.Initiate discussion with waterfront stakeholders to explore feasibility of extending a waterfront walk along the entire length of the neighbourhood. | Section 5.2.(14) |
Short term
|
No action yet |
7.Develop a promotional program which publicly recognizes home gardens and food self-sufficiency efforts in the neighbourhood. | Section 5.2.(15) |
Short term
|
SECA will work on this idea. Also Fall Fair concept. |
8.Explore feasibility of amending the City’s Animal Control Bylaw to allow resident-based bee keeping and limited livestock husbandry in the neighbourhood. | Section 5.2.(15) |
Short Term
|
No action yet. Likely a city wide initiative. |
9.Consider adding parkland and open space identified on Map 1: Neighbourhood Land Use as acquisition priorities in the Parks Master Plan. | Section 5.2.(1) |
Medium Term |
City Parks Dept. will evaluate |
10.Add a basketball/multi-use court, public art piece, and a small special event/performance space at Deverill Square Park in accordance with the Deverill Square Park Improvement Plan. | Section 5.2.(6) |
Medium term
|
No action yet |
11.Construct an observation and interpretive site on Esplanade or Crace street cul-de-sac which provides information on local history and information on local geographic and environmental features (e.g. Protection Island and Nanaimo River Estuary). | Section 5.2.(8) |
Medium term
|
No action yet |
12.Work with the Provincial Government to add a public viewpoint at Petroglyph Park. Also, encourage the Provincial Government to add signage noting the view point’s existence at the park’s highway access. | Section 5.2.(8) |
Medium term
|
No action yet |
13.Create and implement a comprehensive Pedestrian Connectivity Plan for the neighbourhood based on Map 2: Pedestrian Connectivity and Road Classification. | Section 5.2.(10) |
Medium term
|
No action yet |
14.Prepare an urban agriculture strategy for the neighbourhood that identifies food security, constraints, opportunities and an action plan. | Section 5.2.(15) |
Medium term
|
No action yet – likely will complete as part of City wide food security strategy |
15.Work with the Island Corridor Foundation to plan and construct an extension of the E&N Trail through the neighbourhood. | Section 5.2.(16) |
Medium term |
City Parks currently working on design plan |
16.Construct view point at the northern end of View Street. | Section 5.2.(9) |
Long term |
Subject to view street park development concept – interest shown by City Parks Dept. |
17.Promote community gardens on park and open spaces lands under the City’s Volunteer in Parks (VIP) Program as well as an interim use on privately owned, vacant lots, with particular focus on Nicol and Haliburton Streets. | Section 5.2.(15) |
Ongoing
|
SECA will evaluate – started with YPN project on Irwin Street. |
18.Create more opportunities to sit in parks and along pedestrian walkways using environmentally friendly alternative designs and materials. | Section 5.2.(4) |
Ongoing |
No action yet. |
Transportation and Infrastructure |
|
||
19.Use mobile Speed Reader Board on Victoria/Old Victoria, Nicol and Haliburton Streets, and in proximity to Bayview School to slow traffic speeds. | Section 5.3.(9) |
Immediate
|
No action yet. |
20.Focus enforcement of the 50 km/h vehicle speed limit on Victoria/Old Victoria, Nicol and Haliburton Streets, and 30 km/h in proximity to Bayview School. | Section 5.3.(9) |
Immediate
|
No action yet. |
21.Consider removal of Victoria Road, north of South Street, from the truck route designation. | Section 5.3.(9) |
Immediate
|
No action yet. |
22.Update the City’s Manual of Engineering Standards and Specifications for street construction in the neighbourhood to reflect street design concepts contained within this plan. | Section 5.3.(2-5) |
Short term
|
No action yet. |
23.Work with the Provincial Government to evaluate possible pedestrian safety road design techniques for Nicol Street, including crosswalk points at key intersections. | Section 5.3.(9) |
Short term
|
No action yet. |
24.Work with the Provincial Government to evaluate possible installation of bike triggered intersection lights along Nicol Street. | Section 5.3.(9) |
Short term
|
No action yet. |
25.Work with the Provincial Government to evaluate feasibility of installing a pedestrian controlled flasher light at the intersection of Nicol Street and Farquhar Street, and pedestrian activated crosswalk buttons at the other intersections. | Section 5.3.(9) |
Short term
|
No action yet. |
26.Evaluate vehicle traffic speeds and traffic intensity on Victoria Road to determine whether traffic calming solutions would be warranted. | Section 5.3.(9) |
Short Term
|
No action yet. |
27.Work with the Provincial Government to evaluate feasibility of installing a traffic light and directional signage for cycle routes through the neighbourhood at the intersection of Haliburton Road and the Island Highway. | Section 5.3.(10) |
Short term
|
Provincial Government has evaluated and noted support for implementation in near term – subject to budget approval – Province would like to cost share with City. |
28.Evaluate road and lane conditions in the plan area and adjust Five-Year Capital Plan where warranted. | Section 5.3.(13) |
Short term
|
No action yet. |
29.Develop a long-term, phased lighting improvement plan for Haliburton Street and Victoria Road. | Section 5.3.(18) |
Short term
|
No action yet. |
30.Work with RDN Transit Authority to evaluate feasibility of using smaller buses and more frequent bus service through neighbourhood. | Section 5.3.(20) |
Short term
|
No action yet. |
Place neighbourhood gateway signage at the following locations:
|
Section 5.3.(21) |
Short term
|
No action yet. |
31.Construct a flag stop at the intersection of the rail line and Fifth Street. | Section 5.3.(6) |
Medium term |
No action yet. |
32.Evaluate the feasibility of constructing a cul-de-sac on View Street, between Rainer and South Streets, or limiting traffic movement at the intersection of View and South Streets. | Section 5.3.(11) |
Medium term
|
No action yet. |
33.Evaluate feasibility of closing section of Old Victoria Road intersecting with Needham Street to vehicle traffic to create a linear park, or into a one way heading northeast and reversing one-way on View Street in front of Bayview School. | Section 5.3.(12) |
Medium term
|
No action yet. |
34.Develop alternate streetscape design standards which encourage use of non-standard surfacing materials, pervious pavements and on-site storm water retention. | Section 5.3.(16) |
Medium term
|
No action yet. Likely will need City-wide initiative. |
35.Work with BC Hydro to evaluate where candidates for power line burial may exist in neighbourhood and how they can be completed. | Section 5.3.(17) |
Medium term |
No action yet. |
36.Evaluate lane lighting levels and upgrade where necessary. | Section 5.3.(19) |
Medium term |
No action yet. |
37.Consider locating new bus shelters at Milton Street (between Nicol and Haliburton), Haliburton (between Finlayson and Milton), Victoria Road (between Milton and Kennedy), Haliburton (near the intersections with Sabiston and Needham Streets), and Victoria Road (near the intersection with Rainer). | Section 5.3.(20) |
Medium term
|
No action yet. |
38.Work with RDN Transit Authority to evaluate feasibility of establishing a looped, express bus connection between the neighbourhood, Downtown and Harewood, with specific stops at John Barsby Secondary School, Nanaimo District Secondary School and Vancouver Island University. | Section 5.3.(20) |
Medium term
|
No action yet. |
39.Work with RDN Transit Authority to evaluate feasibility of constructing a looped street car or electric bus line along Victoria Road and Haliburton Street connecting to the Downtown. | Section 5.3.(20) |
Medium term
|
No action yet. |
40.Work with RDN Transit Authority to evaluate feasibility of consolidating Victoria Road/Haliburton Street transit routes onto Nicol Street in order to improve user experience and system efficiency. | Section 5.3.(20) |
Medium term
|
No action yet. |
41.Work with the Island Corridor Foundation to install neighbourhood gateway signage near intersection of rail line with Fifth Street. | Section 5.3.(21) |
Medium term |
No action yet. |
42.Consider sidewalk and curb upgrades at the locations identified in Map 3: Transportation and Infrastructure. | Section 5.3.(14) |
Long term
|
No action yet. |
43.Support neighbourhood efforts to clean up and beautify neighbourhood lanes. | Section 5.3.(15) |
Ongoing
|
Already in process through SECA annual cleanup efforts. City will continue to support at SECA request. |
Social Enrichment and Culture |
|
||
44.Encourage local residents to participate in the City’s graffiti removal program. | Section 5.4.(1) |
Immediate
|
SECA will circulate program brochure and look for members to take this on. |
45.Create and distribute information brochure on City’s nuisance and unsightly properties regulations to neighbourhood residents. | Section 5.4.(1) |
Immediate
|
Brochure will be developed by SECA with City assistance and then distributed. |
46.Create and implement a Neighbourhood Cleanup Program that may include the following:
|
Section 5.4.(1) |
Immediate
|
SECA will pursue through beautification initiative with support of City. |
47.Install way finding signage along Nicol Street for key points of interest or locations in and around the neighbourhood. | Section 5.4.(4) |
Immediate
|
No action yet. |
48.Repair or replace landscaping and fencing along the eastern edge of Nicol Street. | Section 5.4.(1) |
Short term |
No action yet. |
49.Expand the street banner program along Nicol Street. | Section 5.4.(1) |
Short term |
No action yet. Consider banners designed by local South End artists. |
50.Create a strategy for stabilizing and revitalizing vacant properties that may include the following:
|
Section 5.4.(1) |
Short term
|
No action yet. |
51.Work with the South End Community Association to assign names to lanes in plan area. | Section 5.4.(5) |
Short term
|
SECA will identify possible lane names for City consideration. |
52.Work with South End Community Association and local pub owners to develop Good Neighbour Agreements to lessen negative impacts on surrounding residential areas. | Section 5.4.(8) |
Short term
|
Good Neighbour Agreements currently required for all pubs/lounges/night clubs. Will look at agreement format that requires ongoing relationship between business operator and SECA. |
53.The South End Community Association will work with the Provincial Government and local child care providers to evaluate the supply and demand for child care services within the neighbourhood and determine the need for additional resources. | Section 5.4.(11) |
Short term
|
No action yet. |
54.Setup formal liaison between South End Community Association, the Snuneymuxw First Nation, School District #68 and the City for purposes of communication and partnership on servicing, security, community building, planning and arts/culture initiatives in the neighbourhood. | Section 5.4.(12) |
Short Term
|
No action yet. |
55.Erect community notice boards at Deverill Square and Knowles Park. | Section 5.4.(13) |
Short term |
No action yet. SECA has proposed custom designed notice board at Irwin Street cul-de-sac near Gino Sedola memorial tree. |
56.Work with the Provincial Government and Snuneymuxw First Nation to develop a co-management agreement for Petroglyph Park. | Section 5.4.(17) |
Short term
|
No action yet. City Parks Department interested in this idea. |
57.Explore feasibility of adapting an existing School District #68 owned building to be used as a recreational, educational and social gathering place in the neighbourhood. | Section 5.2.(18) |
Short term
|
No action yet. |
58.Prepare a comprehensive CPTED evaluation of the neighbourhood for use by both the City and local property owners. | Section 5.4.(8) |
Medium term |
No action yet. |
59.Create comprehensive social planning, education and public health strategy in the neighbourhood, focused on poverty, drug use and prostitution reduction. | Section 5.4.(9) |
Medium term
|
No action yet. Consider partnership with VIU students as Public Health project. |
60.Evaluate and add neighbourhood buildings and sites as listed in Appendix C to the City’s Official Heritage Register, subject to owner support. | Section 5.4. (14) |
Medium term
|
No action yet. |
61.Work with the South End Community Association to identify opportunities for heritage interpretation and heritage themed public art in the neighbourhood, specifically along the South End Heritage Walk route. | Section 5.4.(15) |
Medium term
|
No action yet. |
62.Work with Vancouver Island Regional Library to explore feasibility of locating a library in the neighbourhood. | Section 5.2.(19) |
Medium term |
No action yet. |
63.Plant boulevard trees along Nicol Street, Haliburton Street, and Victoria Road, as well as along Crace Street, Esplanade, Irwin Street, Milton Street, Needham Street and View Street. | Section 5.4.(1) |
Ongoing
|
SECA, with City support, will continue to initiate periodic boulevard tree planting events. |
64.Place public art in neighbourhood parks and open spaces in cooperation with the South End Community Association and Snuneymuxw First Nation. | Section 5.4.(3) |
Ongoing
|
SECA, with City support, will identify ideas and opportunities for projects. |
65.The South End Community Association, with City of Nanaimo support, will conduct a resident survey every three years to gauge resident satisfaction and to aid in issue and solution identification. | Section 5.4.(13) |
Ongoing
|
SECA will look to carry out survey in 2013, and every 3 years thereafter. |
Environmental Protection and Enhancement |
|
||
66.Expand “Green Box” Kitchen Waste Recycling Program to the neighbourhood. | Section 5.5.(1) |
Immediate
|
Done, as part of City-wide initiative. |
67.Work with the South End Community Association to map the neighbourhood’s environmental features and the status of any monitoring/restoration programs by means of the City’s online Environmental atlas. | Section 5.5.(11) |
Short term
|
SECA, with City support, will look at initiating a neighbourhood based mapping process. |
68.Create a Neighbourhood Air Quality Strategy with local business and residents to minimize the neighbourhood’s contributions to air pollution. | Section 5.5.(5) |
Medium term
|
No action yet. Data is being collected by the Ministry of Environment with respect to air quality city wide. Various city-wide initiatives to lessen air pollution currently underway (e.g. wood stove change out and Burn It Smart) . |
69.Create a Neighbourhood Water Management Plan with the objective to reduce potable water consumption, retaining more surface and grey water runoff on site, and better managing neighbourhood water demand. | Section 5.5.(5) |
Medium term
|
No action yet. Some city wide initiatives currently addressing this issue (Low Flow Toilet Rebate, alternative development standards for storm water retention adopted, etc.) |
70.Work with local utility companies to complete an energy audit of the neighbourhood. | Section 5.5.(4) |
Medium term |
No action yet. |
71.Work with BC Hydro through its “PowerSmart Sustainable Communities” program to explore the feasibility of introducing a district energy system in the neighbourhood. | Section 5.5.(4) |
Medium Term
|
No action yet. |
72.Work with South End Community Association and other stakeholders to create a greenhouse gas emissions baseline inventory for the neighbourhood and set neighbourhood based performance goals under the Sustainability Action Plan. | Section 5.5.(5) |
Medium Term
|
No action yet. Sustainability Action Plan likely to be adopted by City Council in 2012. |
73.Explore the feasibility of using alternative energy sources in VIHA and School District buildings located in the plan area. | Section 5.5.(9) |
Medium term |
No action yet. |
74.Consider providing complimentary garbage tags annually for use under the South End Community Association’s Art Bin program. | Section 5.5.(1) |
Ongoing
|
Not an issue at this time. |
75.Lessen the impacts of industry on surrounding residential areas by means of “good neighbour agreements”, bylaw enforcement, improved buildings and landscape design, and improved property maintenance. | Section 5.5.(3) |
Ongoing
|
Will employ when issues arise regarding a specific property. |
76.Complete periodic measurement of neighbourhood’s percent of permeable surface and tree canopy areas to monitor change in these rates. | Section 5.5.(5) |
Ongoing
|
Baseline inventory and mapping has not yet been done. |
77.Continue to promote “Woodstove Change Out” and “Burn It Smart” programs to lessen woodstove emissions in the neighbourhood. | Section 5.5.(5) |
Ongoing
|
City continues to offer programs – looking at accelerating use of programs in South End. |
78.Work with the Provincial Government to measure neighbourhood air quality and evaluate the results. | Section 5.5.(5) |
Ongoing
|
City working in partnership with Ministry of Environment on City-wide air quality analysis. |
79.Target neighbourhood for energy efficiency retrofit and green technology incentive programs for homes and businesses. | Section 5.5.(6) |
Ongoing
|
No action yet. |
80.Work with South End Community Association to promote Low Flow Toilet Rebate Program in the neighbourhood. | Section 5.5.(6) |
Ongoing
|
City will promote program in area with SECA help. |
81.Hold periodic lectures and educational sessions promoting environmental and climate change awareness, and practical actions that can be taken to improve the neighbourhood’s “green” profile. | Section 5.5.(10) |
Ongoing
|
City will work with SECA to bring opportunities for lectures/sessions to neighbourhood. |
Economic Development |
|
||
82.Review the feasibility of establishing a Development Incentive Program that encourages mixed use commercial/residential development on land designated Mixed-Use Corridor, Urban Node, and Neighbourhood Commercial on Map 1: Neighbourhood Land Use. The program may include the following incentives:
|
Section 5.6.(1) |
Immediate
|
Partial action. Residential density bonusing allowed under new Zoning Bylaw, and a number of areas in the South End were up zoned to encourage higher intensity of commercial/residential development. Still need to look at DCC expansion and Revitalization Tax Exemption area ideas. |
83.Review the feasibility of establishing a Brownfield Redevelopment Program that encourages mixed-use redevelopment of old gas station sites on Nicol Street. The program may include the following:
|
Section 5.6.(3) |
Immediate
|
Partial action. City currently working with Province on policy and actions which would encourage Brownfield redevelopment. Design workshop recently held to test barriers to redevelopment of gas station sties – two gas station sites on Nicol Street examined in this process. Province would like to help Cities in B.C. development local redevelopment incentives to supplement Provincial incentives. |
84.Consider amending the City’s Development Parking Regulations Bylaw by lowering the multiple family residential on-site parking requirements for properties identified as Mixed-Use Corridor on Map 1: Neighbourhood Land Use to match the requirements for Schedule C, Area #3 found in the downtown core. | Section 5.6.(2) |
Short term
|
No action yet. |
85.Initiate business education campaign to promote creation of home based businesses in the neighbourhood. | Section 5.6.(5) |
Short term
|
No action yet. |
86.Increase the City’s Heritage Home Grant Program budget specifically targeting heritage building rehabilitation in the South End. | Section 5.6.(6) |
Short term
|
No action yet. |
87.Initiate media promotion campaign for South End. | Section 5.6.(7) |
Short term |
No action yet. |
88.Work with the South End Community Association and local businesses, food producers, and community garden groups to encourage the establishment of a farmer’s market within the neighbourhood. | Section 5.6.(4) |
Medium term
|
SECA will consider initiating – need champion – someone who will instigate and manage. |
89.Work with the Provincial Government to promote community economic development, employment and skill training efforts in the neighbourhood. | Section 5.6.(5) |
Ongoing
|
No action yet. |
Note on time frames:
Immediate – within 1 year
Short Term – within 1–5 years
Medium Term – within 5-10 years
Long Term – 10+ years
Shaded items imply completed or inactive action.
Community Garden Update
Posted in Community Garden on April 2, 2012| Leave a Comment »
Hello Gardeners!
Spring is in the air and we’re looking forward togetting out on site (when it’s not raining or snowing..). We have plots available for lease – $30 for the year – please email us at gardens@ypnanaimo.com to make arrangements. Everyone welcome to join, so tell your neighbours and friends!
Also please mark your calendars for the following Vounteer Days where we will be following our planting schedule for the foodbank plots. As the maintenance of these plots are all done by volunteers we hope to see you out – even if you only have a few miuntes, we would love to see you! The Volunteer Days are also it’s a chance to help share your gardening expertise with the other gardeners – or learn from other gardeners!
- Wedneday April 4th – 4pm THIS WEEK!
- Wednesday April 18th – 5pm (note new time going forward)
- Wednesday May 2nd – 5pm
- Wednesday May 16th – 5pm
Jenn & Andre