Efforts to Zone More Heavy Industrial Land Questioned

Tuesday, July 24, 2007 03:59 AM

An application to have a section of land at the south end of the BCR Industrial site removed from the Agricultural Land Reserve sparked some lively discussion at Prince George City Council. The property in question, on Willow Cale Road, is not considered suitable for growing, the applicant wants first to have it lifted from the Agricultural Land Reserve, and then will apply to have it rezoned for major industry.

That is where the eyebrows were raised.

While it was generally agreed the land should be pulled from the ALR, the planned future use raised red flags for some Councilors.

They expressed concern over the applicant’s plans to apply to have the property rezoned M5 for major industry, in an already stressed air shed. Councilor Debora Munoz worried “We would be expanding economic growth at the expense of another area” and that, she says is not the way to develop sustainable communities.

Mayor Colin Kinsley spoke up to say just because the applicant may want to have the property rezoned for heavy industry “That doesn’t mean there will be smoke stacks, it could be solar heat, we don’t know, it could be warehousing as part of the plans for the Port of Prince Rupert, but that is for another day, today it is just about getting this land out of the ALR”

From the Gallery, resident Joe Graber stepped forward and addressed Council “I understand the process, I know it is one step at a time, I just don’t want to see this as being the first domino falling”. He pressed Council to live up to past promises of an inventory of potential industrial land outside of the bowl area.

Although the City and Regional District have developed an industrial land inventory in the past, that inventory is in the process of being updated.

Council eventually passed requesting to have the land pulled from the ALR, ( Councillors Skakun and Munoz opposed) Mayor Colin Kinsley says it doesn’t mean the land will be used for industrial “The test is to get it out of the reserve and then decide what will be done with it.”

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Posted on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 03:59 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Chadermando on July 24 2007 4:49 AM

If its the creek across from Carrier Lumber than you will find millions of Salmon smolts in it in around 2-weeks. Its amazing because the creek barely runs and is full of oil and old tires ect, yet the fish manage to get so thick you can almost walk on them. The part along the river would make a nice park area.

Good for Joe for speaking up. He is right that it is the thin edge of th wedge. This is the first step in another after the fact announcement.

An industrial park should be located northeast of town for pollution reasons.

Posted by: lmorg on July 24 2007 7:18 AM

If there is a small creek running through it which is home to salmon smolts as chadermando says, then wouldn't the dept. of fisheries step in and stop any kind of development?

Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on July 24 2007 7:25 AM

Crazy the things that get said in the heat of the moment! Did Councilor Debora Munoz really say �We would be expanding economic growth.." and simply could not see this happening?!

And what with Jo Graber? I hope this guy isn't looking to get on council, we have enough people on council that see no future for PG. I used to work at Carrier and spent many summer walking Tabor Creek, and the area is far cleaner today than it was. I seriously doubt, that with the legions of silly servants and their allies, that the area will go back to what it was.

Posted by: Chadermando on July 24 2007 4:58 PM

Imorg I asked that question a few years ago and they said it was not one of their concerns. I guess they figured it a dead creak and any salmon that spawn their now are just a bonus. Its too bad because it has the most potential of any creek in the PG city boundaries park wise, and I would argue the only one that supports salmon spawning.

Posted by: Foo738 on July 24 2007 8:02 PM

wELL YAMA, YOU'VE DONE IT AGAIN!
YOU ARE MAKING A WAR OF WORDS AND NOT LOOKING AT THE ISSUE.
INDUSTRY AND PEOPLE CAN LIVE HAPPILY AND POLLUTION FREE TOGETHER.
FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE. NO-ONE IS AGAINST INDUSTRY AS YOU INTIMATE BY YOUR COMMENT AGAINST JO " we have enough people on council that see no future for PG."
LET'S DO IT RIGHT AND MAKE PRINCE GEORGE A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO LOCATE BECAUSE WE FINALLY PLAN WHERE INDUSTRY SHOULD GO SO THAT IT IS NOT POLLUTING THE BOWL.
DO YOU HAVE GRANDKIDS? WHAT ABOUT THEIR FUTURE HEALTHWISE?

Posted by: owl on July 24 2007 9:44 PM

At the time of the ALR discussion: �That doesn�t mean there will be smoke stacks, it could be solar heat, we don�t know, it could be warehousing as part of the plans for the Port of Prince Rupert, but that is for another day, today it is just about getting this land out of the ALR�

At the time of the rezoning hearing:
"Just because they are asking for M5 zoning does not mean the there will be smoke stacks, it could be solar heat, we don�t know, it could be warehousing as part of the plans for the Port of Prince Rupert, but that is for another day, today it is just about getting this land zoned M5�

At the time of the development permit.
"Just because they want to build an OSB plant ther may not be any smoke stacks, it could be solar heat, we don�t know and it is not in our area of responsibility. That is up to the MoE. So the air emission permit is just for another day, today it is just about getting a development permit.�

And the city once more wipes their hands clean of the responsibility to keep their citizens harmless. After all, the MoE is actually in charge.

Posted by: thereasonableman on July 24 2007 9:47 PM

He should apply to have it zoned for Major Casino. Apparently those applications get pushed right through.

Posted by: lmorg on July 24 2007 11:52 PM

Well, chadermando I suppose someone should maybe give fisheries a call in the blue pages and let them know the exact location of this stream.. and when there are salmon smolts present. I am not familiar with the area so how bout you? If true, then the feds will put a stop to any kind of development there.