That did not take long. All orchestrated. Like the Royals, this is the handing down of the ultimate position of privilege. The public approval by vote is a minor inconvenience. She can hardly contain her glee. It is like Xmas morning. `Oh look what Santa left. Just what I asked for.`
This is what we have come to expect from `Her Worship` A political speech through and through, from a pure politician. Forget all that crap she said. She wants power.
Agree, it's not really a surprise. It became obvious during the transit bus episode that she was looking to expand her support base, and she threw the taxpayers of Tofino "under the bus" in order to push through her agenda. This, despite her oath to represent the interests of the people of Tofino as their mayor.
It'll be interesting to see, as she moves forward, who gets tossed under the bus next.
She's a survivor, always looking out for her own self interest, making sure she has a soft place to land. She's keeping the office of mayor to insure this. Just in case her plans for Victoria don't work out as she hopes, she'll still have a job. Tofino, unfortunately, may still have her. The damage isn't finished yet.
That 3.75 M isn't hers, it's his..... and he has kids and grandkids. She needs to keep scrounging. What did you think the "affordable housing" scheme is about? Housing for low income people? HA HA, not likely.
More important than any of Josie's plans and schemes is the fact that Tofino could need a new mayor, and unless a decent candidate comes forward, we could get stuck with someone selected by Josie. She's got a local political machine that's very capable of controlling the result of an election. She controls the media, local radio, talk show hosts, district staff, local resort spokespeople, even facebook group administrators. She CAN control who gets elected to replace her. Don't forget that 85% of the voters elected her, and many of them are still drinking the kool-aid, think that she's God's gift to Tofino, and municipal politics is a popularity contest, not a matter of sound financial management and competent administration. Most of them are not even aware of the fiscal mess that she's leaving this place in. If she told these people to vote for Turtle, they'd vote for him.
So that brings us to the big questions. Who wants to be the new mayor? Who wants to try to clean up Josie's wreckage? Who's capable of taking on the job? The answer, unfortunately, is...... No one in their right mind!
Josie has an amazing record as Mayor of Tofino . She has dealt with the sewer problem where previous mayors have put it on the back burner. She has provided the public transit much needed by Long Beach First Nations and Ucluelet commuters. She has brought affordable housing to Tofino by working with Catalyst where all other mayors failed . Harold Monk’s property is a shining example of a municipal park . She has overhauled the Tofino water system so that tremendous economic expansion is now possible . Now that her work here is done it is admirable that she is offering her talent and expertise to the provincial NDP . She deserves a cabinet post for sure .
To 7:14 Well done. It took me a few seconds to recognise the sarcasm. But you folks are all jumping the gun. She has to get elected or we are right back in the soup.
The Liberal candidate Ms. Poon appears to be a formidable challenger. Check out her CV. I think I will vote for Ms. Poon. Law degree, supports local charities, helps the homeless and poor, has already contrubuted to job creation with her own business. A business that is zoned commercial and pays the appropriate tax rates. She could easily take the Port Alberni vote, and Josie would have to check her white privilege. Oh the irony.
It is pretty nervy of Josie to decide to even run against an already declared candidate, a person of "diversity" an immigrant and a women. Ticks all the boxes for me. Shame on you Josie. It is time to break the racial glass ceiling in this riding.
Josie pretends to embrace Reconciliation with First Nations but it is bullshit. Correct me if I am wrong , but there are no indigenous people on the district payroll . The diversity within district staff is minimal. While the coop and many hotels have hired many people of indigenous heritage , Josie has failed to act. Typical politician.
There used to be quite a few indigenous people who lived in Tofino. Not so anymore. The gentrification of Tofino, the prohibitive rise in property values and the demise of traditional resource industries has made Tofino "whiter" than ever. Alot of that on Josie's watch. Now tell me about her success again.
Josie has worked tirelessly with the provincial government to reopen Hot Springs Cove provincial park. Tofino will be treated very well when she becomes MLA and minister of indigenous affairs.
She wants to be a successful politician, but the only thing she's ever done is to get a degree in biology and then spend 20 years applying for, and spending, various government grants. She's never operated a real business, nor has she ever held a real job. She has no concept of the difficulties involved in surviving in the real world, paying the bills, and meeting the requirements of a budget. She's actually not much more than another taxpayer subsidized drain on the economy. All she's ever produced for Tofino is higher taxes, a sprawling public office staff, and more debt.
nor has she ever been delayed obstructed and bled by a capricious pack of district people whose sadistic notion of power is to hurt people economically and otherwise. hurt the taxpayers.......rarely help them.
Apparently they withdrew their rezoning application, then put their place up for sale. Assessed value with current zoning is $2.8 M. They're asking $3.75 M. Buyer might want some assurances re the rezoning.
poole used to do this: when the district turned up the heat he would apply to rezone for some cockamamie scheme or say the place was sold or for sale meanwhile operating as usual until the district forgot about him or an election happened.....until the next episode.
Who believes there will not be any favouritism regarding this application. The Mayor led the charge against Chesterman's Beach Condos because of zoning irregularities. While her own business is zoned Institutional, not Commercial. Council is too gutless to do anything. Anyone hear of equality under the law. A concept foreign to the coterie of sycophants who lounge in the seven chairs at council meetings. Pretending to do the peoples business. Disgusting
Excerpt from the Westerly News, August 2020: "The Ecolodge was a point of contention in Tofino council chambers last year as Patterson and the district disagreed on an interpretation of the property’s zoning, which allows for a student dormitory, but not a tourist commercial accommodation.
Patterson said that disagreement did not factor into his decision to sell and added that he withdrew an application to rezone the property last month."
MEETING DATE TO FROM SUBJECT RECOMMENDATION District of Tofino REPORT TO COUNCIL September 8, 2020 Mayor & Council File #: LAN-01 – 158.000 Community Sustainability Zoning Amendment Application – George Patterson (Tofino Botanical Gardens) – 1084 Pacific Rim Highway THAT “District of Tofino Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1295, 2020” be introduced and read a first time. CAO’S COMMENTS I concur with the recommendation of the Manager of Community Sustainability. PURPOSE This report presents to Council a zoning amendment application for 1084 Pacific Rim Highway (the subject property). The applicant would like to amend the existing zoning to permit additional long term rental accommodation units to be constructed on the property. 2019-2022 STRATEGIC PLAN Strategic Plan Goal: Housing & Neighbourhoods. Strategic Priority: Address housing affordability and supply challenges and influences to meet the community’s long-term needs for affordable resident housing. FINANCIAL IMPACTS Development Cost Charges, as required, will be payable at the time of building permit(s) for any structures permitted through the zoning amendment. Staff and the applicant will explore options for a Community Amenity Contribution (CAC) following a successful first reading. Application fees have been designed to cover the cost of staff time associated with processing this application. Page 101 of
2. Student accommodation under Section 35A.1.6 above shall not be used for tourist commercial accommodation and no other residential components permitted shall be used for tourist commercial accommodation. 3. Residential units shall comply with minimum floor areas as set out in Part 4. (...) The key proposed change to the P1-A zone is: Increased density of residential units to be used for long-term rental accommodation. In order to accommodate this change, staff are proposing to add the following amendment to the permitted uses of the zone: Type of Structure Self-contained dwelling unit Independent sleeping unit (no cooking or washroom facilities) Shared Kitchen Facility Shared Washroom Facility Maximum Density 5 12 1 - Maximum Residential Floor Area 200 square metres 61 square metres - - There is also the possibility of reducing other permitted uses, such as commercial area or other unused permissions on the subject property. Prior to 2nd reading, staff will discuss this with the applicant should Council wish.
Councilor Dan Law, notices that all the existing Cabins / Tiny Homes and other (nonconforming?) buildings are Not on the map for this Zoning Amendment Application.
Listen to the response from Peter Thicke, District of Tofino Planner.
if anybody is sleeping in a building that was built without a permit or was owner built and it is not registered with HPO the district is extremely liable. excellent leading by example mayor josie.............if you can get away with violating basic bylaws and make money doing it you win!!!
Ha Ha, omg! The tent is a commercial business - a massage company. District staff are renting the tiny houses. They rent out rooms/hotel rooms to visitors. They have a cafe. They rent out the gardens for events. They rent out office space. They rent out space to yoga classes.
Anyone else would have to subdivide and build a proper road.
This is a double standard and the DOT will not deal with this issue. Why?
These two have been skirting paying proper property tax for YEARS!
If you assume that there is no hope, you guarantee that there will be no hope. If you assume that there is an instinct for freedom, that there are opportunities to change things, then there is a possibility that you can contribute to making a better world. -Noam Chomsky
I can’t say that I agree with anything that goes on in this town. It’s hard not to see the blatant injustice carried out everyday by those we have trusted with the power to govern and keep us safe. But at the end of the day, I cannot... we cannot live and assume that there is no hope. I truly believe that one day we all will be able to unite, and agree, that freedom is the only true course of action.
Poole should have called his shithole a “ student dormitory” . He could have saved on taxes for decades. He should have had his spouse elected as mayor. Any bylaw or building code infractions would have been ignored . Well paid civil servants will not bite the hand that feeds them .
That did not take long. All orchestrated. Like the Royals, this is the handing down of the ultimate position of privilege. The public approval by vote is a minor inconvenience. She can hardly contain her glee. It is like Xmas morning. `Oh look what Santa left. Just what I asked for.`
ReplyDeleteThis is what we have come to expect from `Her Worship` A political speech through and through, from a pure politician. Forget all that crap she said. She wants power.
Agree, it's not really a surprise. It became obvious during the transit bus episode that she was looking to expand her support base, and she threw the taxpayers of Tofino "under the bus" in order to push through her agenda. This, despite her oath to represent the interests of the people of Tofino as their mayor.
ReplyDeleteIt'll be interesting to see, as she moves forward, who gets tossed under the bus next.
She's a survivor, always looking out for her own self interest, making sure she has a soft place to land. She's keeping the office of mayor to insure this. Just in case her plans for Victoria don't work out as she hopes, she'll still have a job. Tofino, unfortunately, may still have her. The damage isn't finished yet.
Not a fan
ReplyDeleteAnd she'll have a nice little $3.75 million cushion when they sell the gardens.
ReplyDeleteThat 3.75 M isn't hers, it's his..... and he has kids and grandkids. She needs to keep scrounging. What did you think the "affordable housing" scheme is about? Housing for low income people? HA HA, not likely.
ReplyDeleteMore important than any of Josie's plans and schemes is the fact that Tofino could need a new mayor, and unless a decent candidate comes forward, we could get stuck with someone selected by Josie. She's got a local political machine that's very capable of controlling the result of an election. She controls the media, local radio, talk show hosts, district staff, local resort spokespeople, even facebook group administrators. She CAN control who gets elected to replace her. Don't forget that 85% of the voters elected her, and many of them are still drinking the kool-aid, think that she's God's gift to Tofino, and municipal politics is a popularity contest, not a matter of sound financial management and competent administration. Most of them are not even aware of the fiscal mess that she's leaving this place in. If she told these people to vote for Turtle, they'd vote for him.
ReplyDeleteSo that brings us to the big questions. Who wants to be the new mayor? Who wants to try to clean up Josie's wreckage? Who's capable of taking on the job?
The answer, unfortunately, is...... No one in their right mind!
Josie has an amazing record as Mayor of Tofino . She has dealt with the sewer problem where previous mayors have put it on the back burner. She has provided the public transit much needed by Long Beach First Nations and Ucluelet commuters. She has brought affordable housing to Tofino by working with Catalyst where all other mayors failed . Harold Monk’s property is a shining example of a municipal park .
ReplyDeleteShe has overhauled the Tofino water system so that tremendous economic expansion is now possible . Now that her work here is done it is admirable that she is offering her talent and expertise to the provincial NDP . She deserves a cabinet post for sure .
To 7:14 Well done. It took me a few seconds to recognise the sarcasm. But you folks are all jumping the gun. She has to get elected or we are right back in the soup.
ReplyDeleteThe Liberal candidate Ms. Poon appears to be a formidable challenger. Check out her CV. I think I will vote for Ms. Poon. Law degree, supports local charities, helps the homeless and poor, has already contrubuted to job creation with her own business. A business that is zoned commercial and pays the appropriate tax rates. She could easily take the Port Alberni vote, and Josie would have to check her white privilege.
Oh the irony.
Some people are inclined to "be something". What we need is someone who is inclined to "do something".
ReplyDeleteIt is pretty nervy of Josie to decide to even run against an already declared candidate, a person of "diversity" an immigrant and a women. Ticks all the boxes for me. Shame on you Josie. It is time to break the racial glass ceiling in this riding.
ReplyDeleteTo 8:55 : Let’s hope Josie is successful and leaves Tofino .
ReplyDeleteJosie pretends to embrace Reconciliation with First Nations but it is bullshit. Correct me if I am wrong , but there are no indigenous people on the district payroll . The diversity within district staff is minimal. While the coop and many hotels have hired many people of indigenous heritage , Josie has failed to act. Typical politician.
ReplyDeleteThere used to be quite a few indigenous people who lived in Tofino. Not so anymore. The gentrification of Tofino, the prohibitive rise in property values and the demise of traditional resource industries has made Tofino "whiter" than ever. Alot of that on Josie's watch. Now tell me about her success again.
ReplyDeleteOn the irony
There are no people of colour on Tofino council . #Tofinosowhite
ReplyDeleteJosie’s greatest success has been in the ecological accommodation sector.
ReplyDeleteTofino needs Josie ! Without her the Task Forces could lose their focus and relevance . Please stay !
ReplyDeleteJosie has worked tirelessly with the provincial government to reopen Hot Springs Cove provincial park. Tofino will be treated very well when she becomes MLA and minister of indigenous affairs.
ReplyDelete8:38 PM Am sure she'll get her share of the $3.75 M.
ReplyDelete10:15 AM "...ecological accommodation." Thank you
Was the property finally rezoned commercial just in time for the sale?
ReplyDeleteThose task forces need palliative care. They are dead Nah! they are just resting... pining for the southern fjords.
ReplyDeleteShe wants to be a successful politician, but the only thing she's ever done is to get a degree in biology and then spend 20 years applying for, and spending, various government grants. She's never operated a real business, nor has she ever held a real job. She has no concept of the difficulties involved in surviving in the real world, paying the bills, and meeting the requirements of a budget. She's actually not much more than another taxpayer subsidized drain on the economy. All she's ever produced for Tofino is higher taxes, a sprawling public office staff, and more debt.
ReplyDeletenor has she ever been delayed obstructed and bled by a capricious pack of district people whose sadistic notion of power is to hurt people economically and otherwise. hurt the taxpayers.......rarely help them.
ReplyDeleteand lets hope that it takes the botanical gardens the same amount of time it takes everyone else to rezone.....minimum 2 years
ReplyDeleteApparently they withdrew their rezoning application, then put their place up for sale. Assessed value with current zoning is $2.8 M. They're asking $3.75 M. Buyer might want some assurances re the rezoning.
ReplyDeleteThey got first reading on rezoning last council meeting .
Delete5:30 PM She always seems quite indifferent to others' pain
ReplyDelete8:57 PM There is a long way to go from first reading.
ReplyDeletepoole used to do this: when the district turned up the heat he would apply to rezone for some cockamamie scheme or say the place was sold or for sale meanwhile operating as usual until the district forgot about him or an election happened.....until the next episode.
ReplyDeleteWho believes there will not be any favouritism regarding this application. The Mayor led the charge against Chesterman's Beach Condos because of zoning irregularities. While her own business is zoned Institutional, not Commercial. Council is too gutless to do anything. Anyone hear of equality under the law. A concept foreign to the coterie of sycophants who lounge in the seven chairs at council meetings. Pretending to do the peoples business. Disgusting
ReplyDeleteExcerpt from the Westerly News, August 2020: "The Ecolodge was a point of contention in Tofino council chambers last year as Patterson and the district disagreed on an interpretation of the property’s zoning, which allows for a student dormitory, but not a tourist commercial accommodation.
ReplyDeletePatterson said that disagreement did not factor into his decision to sell and added that he withdrew an application to rezone the property last month."
MEETING DATE
ReplyDeleteTO FROM
SUBJECT
RECOMMENDATION
District of Tofino REPORT TO COUNCIL
September 8, 2020
Mayor & Council File #: LAN-01 – 158.000 Community Sustainability
Zoning Amendment Application – George Patterson (Tofino Botanical Gardens) – 1084 Pacific Rim Highway
THAT “District of Tofino Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1295, 2020” be introduced and read a first time.
CAO’S COMMENTS
I concur with the recommendation of the Manager of Community Sustainability.
PURPOSE
This report presents to Council a zoning amendment application for 1084 Pacific Rim Highway (the subject property). The applicant would like to amend the existing zoning to permit additional long term rental accommodation units to be constructed on the property.
2019-2022 STRATEGIC PLAN Strategic Plan Goal:
Housing & Neighbourhoods.
Strategic Priority:
Address housing affordability and supply challenges and influences to meet the community’s long-term needs for affordable resident housing.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
Development Cost Charges, as required, will be payable at the time of building permit(s) for any structures permitted through the zoning amendment.
Staff and the applicant will explore options for a Community Amenity Contribution (CAC) following a successful first reading.
Application fees have been designed to cover the cost of staff time associated with processing this application.
Page 101 of
2. Student accommodation under Section 35A.1.6 above shall not be used for tourist commercial accommodation and no other residential components permitted shall be used for tourist commercial accommodation.
ReplyDelete3. Residential units shall comply with minimum floor areas as set out in Part 4. (...)
The key proposed change to the P1-A zone is:
Increased density of residential units to be used for long-term rental accommodation.
In order to accommodate this change, staff are proposing to add the following amendment to the permitted uses of the zone:
Type of Structure
Self-contained dwelling unit Independent sleeping unit (no cooking or washroom facilities) Shared Kitchen Facility
Shared Washroom Facility
Maximum Density
5 12
1 -
Maximum Residential Floor Area
200 square metres 61 square metres
-
-
There is also the possibility of reducing other permitted uses, such as commercial area or other unused permissions on the subject property. Prior to 2nd reading, staff will discuss this with the applicant should Council wish.
Nothing to see here, move along folks.
ReplyDeleteThe excerpt proves the point. Council is not and has not enforced it's bylaw. This situation has been apparent for years. Double standard.
ReplyDeleteMinor detail but this is an upzoning and there is no spare water in the system with every drop already allocated for existing zoning. We will run out.
ReplyDeleteIs it time for a moratorium on further development until water and sewer issues are resolved?
ReplyDelete5:45 PM Sounds reasonable. But not sure that will happen, as am sure DOT staff know what's expected as the mayor prepares to leave town.
ReplyDeleteThere is plenty of water for me but not for thee.
ReplyDeleteCouncilor Dan Law, notices that all the existing Cabins / Tiny Homes and other (nonconforming?) buildings are Not on the map for this Zoning Amendment Application.
ReplyDeleteListen to the response from Peter Thicke, District of Tofino Planner.
https://youtu.be/SN5IByXr2rg?t=5760
if anybody is sleeping in a building that was built without a permit or was owner built and it is not registered with HPO the district is extremely liable.
ReplyDeleteexcellent leading by example mayor josie.............if you can get away with violating basic bylaws and make money doing it you win!!!
Ha Ha, omg! The tent is a commercial business - a massage company. District staff are renting the tiny houses. They rent out rooms/hotel rooms to visitors. They have a cafe. They rent out the gardens for events. They rent out office space. They rent out space to yoga classes.
ReplyDeleteAnyone else would have to subdivide and build a proper road.
This is a double standard and the DOT will not deal with this issue. Why?
These two have been skirting paying proper property tax for YEARS!
If you assume that there is no hope, you guarantee that there will be no hope. If you assume that there is an instinct for freedom, that there are opportunities to change things, then there is a possibility that you can contribute to making a better world.
ReplyDelete-Noam Chomsky
I can’t say that I agree with anything that goes on in this town. It’s hard not to see the blatant injustice carried out everyday by those we have trusted with the power to govern and keep us safe. But at the end of the day, I cannot... we cannot live and assume that there is no hope. I truly believe that one day we all will be able to unite, and agree, that freedom is the only true course of action.
Poole should have called his shithole a “ student dormitory” . He could have saved on taxes for decades. He should have had his spouse elected as mayor. Any bylaw or building code infractions would have been ignored . Well paid civil servants will not bite the hand that feeds them .
ReplyDelete2:37 Is there any way the DOT can make them pay those tax
ReplyDeletees retroactively?