Two clocks are ticking on final comments regarding Rogers’ recently “staked claim” on a proposed cell tower site many residents feel would be much better used for community housing on an island that already enjoys myriad connection options.
In light of conflicting published deadlines for comments by July 13 and July 24, your comments are best submitted online here by July 12. (For those using small phone screens, the Submit Comment box is on the lefthand side of this webpage.)
Please proceed to the Crown Lands website linked above to Submit Your Comment regarding your preferred use of this land for community housing, instead of the proposed Rogers cell tower, which cannot be legally operated this close to new residences.
IMPORTANT!
You are no longer dealing with Rogers or the Trust. You are now addressing provincial officials at much higher levels in the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship in charge of Crown Land — who are likely unaware of Hornby’s long history regarding community housing and cell towers. Instead of tediously recounting those campaigns, simply let these issues energize your respectful remarks. As HICEEC’s Katherine Ronan emphasizes,“It’s very important when making comments to be super polite and reasonable.”
And succinct.
Sure, many of us are weary of repeating our opposition to Roger’s proposed cell tower. But this time, we are addressing the province in favour of urgently needed “workforce housing” instead of a cell tower. While this terminology might seem too restrictive, in BC’s bureaucratic nomenclature, “workforce housing” is much more inclusive — with fewer boxes to check — than applying for “affordable housing”.
“We use different terms because BC Housing uses different terms,” Katherine explained. “Affordable Housing usually connotes subsidized housing by BC Housing, whereas Workforce Housing is a more flexible definition encompassing housing for all those who work, or who have worked.”
ROGERS AND THE TRUST
Commenting on Rogers’ competing application, she added, “Rogers wants this site because it’s the cheapest place to build as it is close to the road. Rogers is a large corporation and can afford to place the cell tower somewhere else on the Crown Land. This particular parcel is an excellent site for housing as it is centrally located and within walking distance of many community facilities.
The Islands Trust is onboard with allowing housing on this site and work on changing the bylaws has been initiated.
DELAYS EXPLAINED
So how is HICEEC’s housing application progressing?
“The process has been very time consuming and frustrating,” Katherine replied. “Our project does not fit neatly into any of the usual boxes. Crown Land is not usually released for Residential Use unless: 1. It is in a remote location and 2. The applicant is an industrial corporation such as a mine. Our other option would be to purchase the land at market rates which, as we know, would put it out of our community’s reach.
“A lengthy delay occurred when HICEEC started to apply under Residential tenure and discovered that, as a nonprofit housing provider, they were directed to apply under another tenure, Community Institutional. This form of tenure would mean that that land would simply be transferred out of one branch of government, Crown Lands, to another branch.
“This was exciting news as it would mean that we would not have to purchase the land. However, it required tedious further research in order to find the right ministry for sponsorship. It took much emailing and phoning to try to find the correct information as I was often directed to the wrong official or the wrong ministry.
“At last, thanks to our MLA Josie Osborne’s help, we are now in dialogue with the right people at the highest levels of government in the various ministries responsible: the Ministry of Housing, BC Housing and Ministry of Water, Lands and Resource Stewardship. And, more importantly, the different ministries are now in discussions with each other about our project and are working together to determine the solution.
“With time running short we are grateful that our housing project is at long last under consideration at the relevant levels of government. We are hopeful that we will have some definite answers soon.
Given Hornby’s time constraints regarding the Rogers application, these ongoing, high-level inter-department conversations could prove pivotal in securing this land for cost-effective workforce housing.
Post your comments to the ministry in charge of Crown Lands here:
