Public Meeting on Logistics Park Starts With Plenty of Supporters Speaking Up
By 250 News
Monday, May 26, 2008 07:43 PM
Nearly packed Blackburn Community Hall listens to those who offer support for logistics park.
Prince George, B.C. – With 20 speakers signed up to make comments to the Agriculture Land Commission, the meeting at the Blackburn Community Centre was to start on time.
“This is not a public hearing” said Commission Chair Eric Carlson, “This is a public meeting.”
Janine North, CEO of the Northern Development Initiatives Trust started the presentation in favour of removing this property from the Agricultural Land Reserve. “This is a 688 hectare parcel and the application is consistent with the airport’s expansion plan which includes tech stops and logistics. There has been $36 million dollars invested so far”
When it comes to regional interests, she says this logistics park is critical to the eleven million dollar loan the Northern Trust made to the expansion of the airport and will support the money the Trust has also put into agriculture projects “These products need a gateway to the world” North told the filled community centre. She said the Mayors from 40 different communities with the Trust unanimously support the expansion of the airport and this site is the only suitable one.
The removal of the lands from the ALR has been unanimously supported by the City of Prince George, and the Regional District of Fraser Fort George.
If the removal of the lands is approved, then next month, the industrial uses planning will start and that will see public consultation.
“If this is supported today, then we can start working on developing a smooth connection between highways 16 and 97” says Airport General Manager Stieg Hoeg. That would be the development of “Boundary Road”, which could also be a key in the City’s development of a Dangerous Goods Route.
“The road development carries a cost of $65 million dollars, that’s a considerable investment for the Provincial and Federal government” said L&M’s David McWalter, “Eventually, Boundary Road will cross through the BCR and lead to the new crossing of the Fraser River. Eventually, it will rejoin Highway16 west in College Heights.”
“This development is critical to the diversification of our economy, we don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but we need to build a future for our youth” said Janine North.
Commission Chair Eric Carlson says the timing of a final decision depended on the issues raised during the meeting.
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Posted by: tinyapplecork on May 26 2008 8:35 PM
This explains the push.
"If the removal... “If this is supported today then we can start working on developing a smooth connection between highways 16 and 97” says Airport General Manager Stieg Hoeg."
Um, since when does the airport GM have any weight when it comes to connecting 16/97 ? Or, does "smooth connection" mean we get fresh pavement?
Since the city of PG, regional district of PG support taking this land out of the ALR I guess we don't need any critical thinking here. (sarcasm intended)
Also, the 40 mayors involved with the Trust support AIRPORT EXPANSION but do they necessarily support REMOVING 680 HECTARES out of the ALR?? I also find it interesting that since 20 others support it surely that must be a majority. Where is Pat Bell on the ALR? oh nevermind...he probably wants the warehouses for all the lumber that isn't going to China so our mayor can built temporary housing in China with Gordy!
*sigh...lots of feel good news based on a lot of maybes...