A reader forwarded their water bill for a house in Nanoose equipped with the usual amenities as well as an automatic sprinkler....total bill for the summer months was $139.98
Meter reading was from May 12,2010 until September 10,2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Social Subsidized Housing bylaw passes !!
As predicted the Subsidized Social Housing bylaw passed......read all about it in the Westerly....had a good debate with a former council member as to whether subsidized housing helps the poor or helps business maintain low labour costs...comments ?
While I'm ranting....there are many people in Tofino that own houses but are on low or fixed incomes....many on pension.....if we are going to subsidize housing why not subsidize the water and sewer rates for low income residents ???
While I'm ranting....there are many people in Tofino that own houses but are on low or fixed incomes....many on pension.....if we are going to subsidize housing why not subsidize the water and sewer rates for low income residents ???
oct.26 2010 Public Hearing on Subsidized Housing
I find myself at work this morning ( I'm working on my other computer) so I won't be able to attend the Public Hearing for the rezoning of DL 114 for Subsidized Social Housing....I guess that's why they hold the meetings during working hours...not that it would matter as the District Council has already decided to proceed with the initiative. I can't think of any private enterprise operations that would hire a project coordinator before they even went to a public hearing for rezoning....
The Tofino Housing Corporation has been an ongoing GRAVY TRAIN for consultants....hundreds of thousands of tax dollars already spent....this has been going on for over six years !! Vacancy rates for long term rentals are at a 20 year high but they still want to proceed on the basis of an outdated survey and an outdated Official Community Plan....I think only an election will bring any common sense to this discussion......
The Tofino Housing Corporation has been an ongoing GRAVY TRAIN for consultants....hundreds of thousands of tax dollars already spent....this has been going on for over six years !! Vacancy rates for long term rentals are at a 20 year high but they still want to proceed on the basis of an outdated survey and an outdated Official Community Plan....I think only an election will bring any common sense to this discussion......
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Affordable Housing at no cost to the taxpayer !! Oct.15,2010
http://www.victoria.ca/cityhall/planning-garden-suites-pilot-project.shtml
Victoria and Vancouver are both pursuing the concept of "Garden Suites ".....this is a solution for affordable housing that would work well for Tofino.It allows for a small cabin on lots of greater than 6000 sq.ft......having a rental unit in a small separate building allows a lot more privacy than a standard secondary suite.....
Why doesn't Tofino Council at least explore this option before reaching in to the taxpayers wallet for a Social Subsidized Housing plan ? Why didn't Glen Clark think twice about building Fast Ferries ?
Most properties at Chesterman's Beach already have cabins that council turns a blind eye to......I used to have a house on Neill st. that had a huge unused back yard that would have been perfect for this type of housing....most of the lots in town are 7200 sq.ft.
Council could actually embrace this plan and work to develop a prefab unit that meets with neighborhood aesthetics...ie. rooflines and siding that match existing house....
This is just an idea but the largest cities in BC are actively pursuing it...comments please ?
Victoria and Vancouver are both pursuing the concept of "Garden Suites ".....this is a solution for affordable housing that would work well for Tofino.It allows for a small cabin on lots of greater than 6000 sq.ft......having a rental unit in a small separate building allows a lot more privacy than a standard secondary suite.....
Why doesn't Tofino Council at least explore this option before reaching in to the taxpayers wallet for a Social Subsidized Housing plan ? Why didn't Glen Clark think twice about building Fast Ferries ?
Most properties at Chesterman's Beach already have cabins that council turns a blind eye to......I used to have a house on Neill st. that had a huge unused back yard that would have been perfect for this type of housing....most of the lots in town are 7200 sq.ft.
Council could actually embrace this plan and work to develop a prefab unit that meets with neighborhood aesthetics...ie. rooflines and siding that match existing house....
This is just an idea but the largest cities in BC are actively pursuing it...comments please ?
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Bowen Island Sunday Bylaw
http://bowen-island-bc.com/forum/read.php?1,1189271
If you thought Tofino has some wacky bylaws....check out the proposed Sunday Noise Bylaw at Bowen Island.......no construction work,motorized yard work.....etc..
If you thought Tofino has some wacky bylaws....check out the proposed Sunday Noise Bylaw at Bowen Island.......no construction work,motorized yard work.....etc..
Social Subsidized Housing Public Hearing
A public hearing is being held to rezone parts of DL 114 to rezone for the Social Subsidized Housing.Please write to the District with your thoughts or attend the meeting.Currently two out of three members of the advisory board live out of town and aren't Tofino taxpayers or renters.There is no defined criteria as to who will qualify for the Subsidized Housing or if the water rates will also be subsidized.Part of the existing business plan is to sell building lots at $200,000.00 which is much higher than today's market prices.
Let's have a referendum before Tofino gets into a situation like Vancouver's Millenium project !!!
In response to a telephone question....I fully support subsidized housing for the elderly and disabled......
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING (Rezoning)
LOT A, DISTRICT LOT 114, CLAYOQUOT DISTRICT, PLAN 32751, EXCEPT THOSE PARTS IN PLANS 34031, 34040, 35014, VIP53861, VIP56340 AND VIP57131
Notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing pursuant to Section 890 of the Local Government Act will be held in the Council Chambers of the Tofino Municipal Hall, 380 Campbell St., Tofino, B.C., on Tuesday, October 26th, 2010 at 9:00 AM to hear representations from members of the public who deem their interest in property affected by the following bylaw:
BYLAW No. 1125: “District of Tofino Zoning Map Amendment Bylaw No.1125, 2010 (amending Tofino Zoning Bylaw No. 770)”, a bylaw to rezone two portions of LOT A, DISTRICT LOT 114, CLAYOQUOT DISTRICT, PLAN 32751, EXCEPT THOSE PARTS IN PLANS 34031, 34040, 35014, VIP53861, VIP56340 AND VIP57131 to THC Low To Medium Multiple Family Residential District (CD-THC1).
The purpose of the rezoning is to permit the development of affordable housing based on the Local Area Plan for District Lot 114. Owner/Applicant: District of Tofino.
Let's have a referendum before Tofino gets into a situation like Vancouver's Millenium project !!!
In response to a telephone question....I fully support subsidized housing for the elderly and disabled......
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING (Rezoning)
LOT A, DISTRICT LOT 114, CLAYOQUOT DISTRICT, PLAN 32751, EXCEPT THOSE PARTS IN PLANS 34031, 34040, 35014, VIP53861, VIP56340 AND VIP57131
Notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing pursuant to Section 890 of the Local Government Act will be held in the Council Chambers of the Tofino Municipal Hall, 380 Campbell St., Tofino, B.C., on Tuesday, October 26th, 2010 at 9:00 AM to hear representations from members of the public who deem their interest in property affected by the following bylaw:
BYLAW No. 1125: “District of Tofino Zoning Map Amendment Bylaw No.1125, 2010 (amending Tofino Zoning Bylaw No. 770)”, a bylaw to rezone two portions of LOT A, DISTRICT LOT 114, CLAYOQUOT DISTRICT, PLAN 32751, EXCEPT THOSE PARTS IN PLANS 34031, 34040, 35014, VIP53861, VIP56340 AND VIP57131 to THC Low To Medium Multiple Family Residential District (CD-THC1).
The purpose of the rezoning is to permit the development of affordable housing based on the Local Area Plan for District Lot 114. Owner/Applicant: District of Tofino.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Oct. 11 , 2010 rental ads
http://www.westcoaster.ca/directory/browse-176-1-0-accommodation-for-rent.php
A check of Whistler's Affordable Housing website shows some studio units available at $775.00 per month and one bedroom units at $975.00 per month
A check of Whistler's Affordable Housing website shows some studio units available at $775.00 per month and one bedroom units at $975.00 per month
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Oct.9,2010 Special Projects Coordinator
I made contact with the District of Tofino regarding the hiring of Roberta Martell as the Special Projects Coordinator. The only comment forthcoming was that a press release would be made next week.The Special Projects Coordinator will be responsible for the Subsidized Social Housing Project as well as the Lighthouse Trail and other projects identified by council as priorities.....I'll post the press release as soon as it is available. A quick Google search shows that she has a good record of getting things done....
Friday, October 8, 2010
Real Estate Bubble bursting ? Oct.8.2010
The Ittatsoo Bay development near Ucluelet has cut in half their asking prices for lots and are offering vendor financing ....you can buy a 10 acre parcel for only $210,000.00....is this a sign of things to come ? Thanks to special reporter Grady for this story....
Thursday, October 7, 2010
No glass recycling in Tofino Oct.7 ,2010
CBC radio reported this morning that glass is not recycled in Tofino.....Electric truck....no plastic bags....no idling vehicles but glass goes to the landfill......
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
oct. 6 2010 "Lighthouse Trail"
A few people commented by phone or online about the "Lighthouse Trail " going nowhere..not necessarily...when Middle Beach Lodge was built there was supposed to be a public access trail from McKenzie beach road to Middle Beach....if this were resurrected it could hook up to the trail from Tonquin Park.....this would give a nice access point for anyone staying on McKenzie beach and for those in Vinyl Village and the Christian subdivision etc.....a trail from McKenzie Beach to town via the waterfront to Tonquin would be great and would make it easier to put the run on hippies trying to squat at Tonquin.....
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Fraser goes for third term !! Oct 5. 2010
Westcoaster.ca reports that John Fraser will run for a third term as Mayor of Tofino !!
Monday, October 4, 2010
Sunday, October 3, 2010
thanks
thanks to the Tofino councilor who spoke out against mandatory skateboard helmets!! we already live in a nanny state !! growing up here without helmets....none of us died....
rental ads oct 3,2010
no shortage of rentals in Tofino these days yet council still is pushing subsidized social housing based on an eight year old study......one just has to look at the Olympic Village in Vancouver to see how well this can work....
Special Projects Co-ordinator hired October 3 2010
According to multiple sources the District of Tofino has hired a Special Projects Coordinator.She will be looking after the Subsidized Housing Project as well as other projects deemed as priorities by council.I don't recall seeing this job posted....please correct me if you saw an ad for this job anywhere.....at least the district has implemented the "hire locally " policy....
Friday, October 1, 2010
Oct 1, 2010 Let's party in Whistler !
Council is at Whistler ! According to Westcoaster.ca they are still pursuing the construction of a municipal campsite ! Please tell your councilors to stop this madness !
There are plenty of local campgrounds run by private enterprise...no need for tax dollars providing competition....
With subsidized social housing and a municipal campground on the way can it be long before council recognizes that Tofino needs a subsidized grocery store ?? The price of Tofu at the Co-op is forcing me to eat fish....
On the positive side....good for council to bring up the issue of the 1st st. dock....
There are plenty of local campgrounds run by private enterprise...no need for tax dollars providing competition....
With subsidized social housing and a municipal campground on the way can it be long before council recognizes that Tofino needs a subsidized grocery store ?? The price of Tofu at the Co-op is forcing me to eat fish....
On the positive side....good for council to bring up the issue of the 1st st. dock....