Reminder to submit your comments to the city about the Maritime Museum rezoning application by March 24. Also a few more thoughts on this rezoning application.
https://www.shapeyourcity.ca/1905-ogden-ave
In reviewing the Rezoning Application booklet today I noticed a major red flag 🚩 that indicates that the intent of this rezoning to CD-1 (Comprehensive Development District) is to allow for not just this one massive barge spa “wellness” facility in this small heritage marina but to open the door to possibly many more commercial enterprises, to open the door to the complete commercialization of this park. Note the plural wording in this quote from the application:
“VMM proposes this rezoning to expand use of Heritage Harbour as a moorage site for higher rent VESSELS such as commercially operated floating BUSINESSES, in particular health and wellness FACILITIES that expand public recreation and draw visitation to the museum site.”
So what’s next in this location? What other floating vessel wellness facilities are anticipated here? What sort of precedent does this set for this park and others?
Furthermore, what’s the impact of this massive barge on the nearby popular and quiet swimming beach? The application cites Vancouver’s Healthy City Strategy as an excuse for putting this PRIVATE monstrosity in this PUBLIC beach park marina without taking into consideration that it could destroy the nearby “healthy city” swimming beach.
What’s the impact of the likely dredging of the harbour? What’s the impact of the loss of view, the loss of some of the swimming area, the increased noise, the possible dirty water runoff? Will anyone want to swim there if the barge is there?
Surely outdoor ocean swimming is a better health strategy for a beach park than a 150 ft barge spa? There are already many wellness spas in the city. There are very few swimming beaches like the one near the Marina.
The Healthy City Strategy is also quoted as providing “equitable” public opportunities. How is an expensive private wellness facility providing an “equitable” public opportunity. It’s not equitable if you have to pay $90 for a 3 hour visit. Or will the Leisure Access Pass be expanded to cover this?
The petition is now at 914 signatures. I’ll be submitting it as part of my Shape Your City comments on Tuesday March 34. Let’s get as many signatures as we can by then.
Keep in mind that this deadline is not the end of the protest road but just the beginning.
Thanks
Elvira