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Letters to the editor

This letter was addressed to Pemberton Mayor Elinor Warner and council. To begin, thank you for seeking the residents of Prospect Street’s input in the matter of the re-zoning application of the BC Rail land on our street.

This letter was addressed to Pemberton Mayor Elinor Warner and council.

To begin, thank you for seeking the residents of Prospect Street’s input in the matter of the re-zoning application of the BC Rail land on our street.

The last time a zoning change for this parcel was considered, it was deemed that it was not to be subdivided into anything smaller than three acres with one dwelling. This was the agreement reached as the original proposal called for RT-1 (townhouse) zoning. We, the Pemberton Residents Association, firmly oppose any change to this zoning.

There is obviously a need for increased housing development in Pemberton. However, the valley floor is less than ideal, most importantly because of flood-plain restrictions. The volume of developable lands has grown dramatically with the recent infrastructure grants to the valley. Short-term quick fixes are not what are needed here. It is in our best interest to seek the most beneficial solutions for all of Pemberton.

The proposed development of this lot has detrimental impacts on the area residents’ quality of life. Fifteen new residences, and their associated suites, will increase the volume of traffic dramatically. This, on a street with no sidewalks and very little shoulder to walk on, would pose a serious risk to children walking to school.

Finally, with many area residents away on summer vacation, we respectfully request that the process be delayed until the early autumn.

Jack Hurtubise, spokesperson

Pemberton Residents Association

 

This letter was addressed to Pemberton Mayor Elinor Warner and council.

I very much appreciate that you have invited property owners’ participation regarding the application by BC Rail to seek the further rezoning of the 3.88 acres of land for a 15-house subdivision on Prospect Street, adjacent to Meadow Lanes Townhomes.

Several years ago, BC Rail’s first rezoning application on this property resulted in approval of a single residence to be built on the property. The mayor, councillors and the nearby property owners agreed to this. This was deemed a fair and logical compromise, even to affected property owners in Meadow Lanes and along Prospect Street.

The original property owners from 1994 (I am one of them) of the homes in the Meadow Lanes neighbourhood, bought their homes having been assured that the adjacent BCR lands would not be subject to any kind of real estate development and would remain in their natural state as green space. That of course then changed to a one-only residence zoning. Subsequent resales in Meadow Lanes since 1994 have often included this assurance to new owners, that any surrounding development by BC Rail was limited to a single home estate under the Official Community Plan, obviously more attractive to people seeking the benefits of rural flat land living in our neighbourhood.

I am very strongly opposed to allowing the further rezoning of the BCR lands from a single home to an intensive 15-home zoning on this little acreage. It will envelope a significant part of Meadow Lanes, literally overshadow us and effectively neuter our connection to the green space, sweeping views, and quietude we have all bought here to enjoy. Meadow Lanes, in 1994 was one of the first "new" developments in Pemberton and was often cited as a quality harbinger of the development that was to become the norm in Pemberton. That quality of life on Prospect is hanging by a tether with this disappointing application by BC Rail.

We already have heavy trucks daily and commercial ventures on our little street and the dangers are sufficient for children walking to schools and playing in the area. What are we to think now, given the agreement we all came to the last time, in the first rezoning of this BCR land? Please resist this rezoning application to ensure the integrity of our community on Prospect Street. Thank you very much for your consideration.

Randy Morris

Pemberton

 

Thanks to Dr. Lane and the great staff at Coast Mountain Veterinary Services for taking care of me, from the time I was a young pup to my final days. Your professional and compassionate manner made it so much easier for me and my folks. I just want to thank you for being there for us, we know how busy your schedule is.

Otis, Regan and Sylvie

Whistler

 

Ouch

Last Saturday night, I was biking home to my house in White Gold after a long day of work when I hit a log which had been placed across the Valley Trail in between the lit areas of the trail. I scraped my arm pretty bad and hit my head quite hard on the pavement. Luckily enough, other than some big scrapes on my arm and head, a slight concussion and a nice big black eye, I am OK. But what I would like to say is to whoever put this log across the Valley Trail on purpose, that was not funny at all, and I am really lucky that I did not hurt myself any worse than I did.

I would also like to say to pedestrians who walk the Valley Trail at night, if you see a log or any other objects which are obstructing the trail, please do us all a favour and just push it off the trail so hopefully what happened to me will not happen to anyone else.

Anna Racine

Whistler