DRA & DV2020 Election Questions
for a Better Downtown Victoria
Submitted by Wayne Hollohan
http://wayneh.caBefore I answer these question or if you insist as a part of answer questions I have to make it unmistakable clear what I see as the role of a Council.
• “It my duty and responsibility to see that problems get solved” It is not my job to solve problems.
• I believe I should take my experience and values to council and leave my personal opinion home.
• Public Policies and Community Plans is what I should respect as well as the recommendations from professional staff and volunteer professional associated with all our advisory panels and equally important you the public.
• Finally open meaningful public consultation. One where I don't have my answers before asking you the questions.Please list specific initiatives and proposals you will put forward to improve the livability of Downtown for its residents.
·Approving the New Downtown Plan might be a good start.
·Meet with the Downtown Victoria Business Association
·Meet with the Downtown Community/Residents Association
·Meet with staff and other impacted parities.1. Please state your opinion about, and a corresponding action you would propose that the City of Victoria adopt, on the following issues:
. a. Park planning/green space. I am the President of the Fairfield Community Association. We have had one of the Directors of our associations on the Parks Master Plan since the beginning and we provide input and receive regular reports on the progress.
b. Late night downtown issues. I would start with enforcement of penalties to drinking establishments who serve liquor to people who appear intoxicated or permit these individuals to enter their establishment. The bar owners reap the benefits, while we bear the cost of damage and policing. Late night bus schedules for those who work and play downtown. Most importantly to educate myself not only on the problems, but the solutions from those who have to live with the issues.
c. Policing and safety Most importantly to educate myself not only on the problems, but the solutions from those who have to live with the issues.
Continuing residential development. As Chair of the Fairfield Planning and Zoning Committee I was a strong supporter of residential development for downtown for those who work in the service industry. Not as investment opportunities or for those individuals who can afford to own the businesses they work in.
Yet, in the past 3 years alone more than 1,000 new condos have gone up in Victoria, and more than 500 new units are currently being built. Not one of these new units is owned or occupied by the person whose job it is to serve you in a restaurant or at the counter. The city's few remaining affordable rental units are fast converting to high-end condos. People struggle to find a place to live. This is absolutely not what I supported.
b. Commercial prosperity We must work to make Victoria a safer, more liveable, and sustainable environment for all. This has to come first then we promote the heck out of ourselves to attract business and tourisms.
e. Budget priorities
Property taxes All these HELP WANTED sign are directly related to the extreme shortage of affordable housing for staff and a significant increase in the cost of existing housing. Businesses are closing and new businesses have stop opening. If we don't get on top of this situation you can expect reduction in city services, an increase in the need of services and property taxes going through the roof.
2. Please explain your plan to ensure that an effective Good Neighbour Agreement with respect to social service providers is put in place to avoid negative effects in the surrounding area.
I am currently involved in creating two Good Neighbour Agreements in regards to supportive housing projects in my community. Speaking as both President of the Fairfield Community Association and Chair of the Planning and Zoning Committee it's a mandatory requirement for us.
The Social Health of Downtown
I see my role as council is to do everything in my power to see that problems get solve and if I have to use the tools that my position empowers me with to ensure the people don't leave the table till that has been accomplished, I will.
4. Making Plans become Realities
The City planning department, in cooperation with community associations and other stakeholder groups has created some excellent plans to ensure the success and vitality of downtown. Unfortunately some of these plans have been "in the works" for many years without much tangible progress on the ground. In particular we are concerned about the following four plans:
a. The Downtown Plan – The City needs not just to adopt this plan but also to consider how to activate it, fund it, and make sure things come to pass.
b. The Harbourfront Walkway Plan , which would connect the harbour from Ogden Point all the way up to the Selkirk trestle. Two key areas are the Belleville Terminal and the Blue Bridge.
c. An excellent plan adopted in 1992 entitled the Downtown Beautification Strategy which seems to have fallen into disuse.
d. The Greenways Plan which will make our city a more sustainable, walkable and liveable place. .
Are you aware of all these initiatives? How will you move these ideas out of the "plans and incentives stage" and towards action and results?
I personally and through my roles with the association contributed on three out of the four initiatives, not familiar C
Something that frustrated me to no end about our current council, is that they won't approve anything till it is all complete, example the Downtown Plan. Majority of the Downtown Plan as it pertains to height restrictions and development was completed long time ago. Why wouldn't council approve those sections, which would of spelled out clear regulations to developers and prevented this make it up as we go along approach. That has forever change out downtown and it s skyline.
To answer your question, break out all these plans, see what we can agree on approve those sections and set time lines to complete the other sections.
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