Cumberland BC: The Cumberlander Articles Section
Uncategorized · 17th January 2008
Editor, with permission.
By Colleen Dane - Comox Valley Record - January 16, 2008
The Village of Cumberland could be in the money if it moves forward with approvals for Trilogy Properties’ proposed development.
At its meeting this week, village council released the tentative memorandum of understanding regarding public amenities the development company would give Cumberland if its proposals are approved.
Mayor Fred Bates said the village is satisfied with the work by its negotiators, and was ready to receive public input on the document.
“We want to make sure we have public meetings before we sign this off,” said Bates.
The agreement outlines up to $7.8 million in amenities payments — including a $4.32-million infusion for water and village sewer upgrades if the “initial lots” — lots 4, 6a, 8b and 9 are approved.
Those include the “lifestyle centre” at the northeast corner of the Comox Valley Parkway and Inland Island Highway, the largely commercial with some tentative residential on the southeast side of that intersection along Small Road, the large residential proposal behind Village Park up to the Inland highway and larger-lot residential on the southeast corner of the highway and Royston Road.
A $1.5-million amenity payment would also be made following the approval of those lots, with the conditions that any commercial on those lands would be exempt from development cost charges, that residential DCCs would be reviewed by the developer, that an access to Lot 9b is secured off Dunsmuir Avenue and the village has arranged financing for the water and sewer upgrades.
That was the one noted concern by council this week about the agreement — the requirement that the village find funds upfront. Bates said they had been discussing with the Ministry of Community Services about possibly expanding their borrowing limits. They were told that may be possible, but it needed to be looked into further.
According to the agreement, Trilogy would give two more $1-million payments: one when the water and sewer upgrades were substantially complete and they’ve received development and building permits for the initial lots — the other when the official community plan and zoning bylaw amendments have been approved for all of the Trilogy lands.
Among other details set out in the MOU is agreement that Trilogy lands could develop and use water and sewer systems independent of the existing village supply system if that were feasible — but that those systems would be turned over to Cumberland when operational.
There were other details about roads infrastructure, trails designations and protection of environmentally sensitive lands.
The release of the MOU breaks a stand-still in Trilogy progress in the past year, after the village announced it would not consider moving any further forward with zoning and OCP bylaws until the agreement was established.
“The numbers that they’re offering are pretty much OK,” said Bates about the MOU. “With that I think we’re ready to consult (with the public).”
Council passed a motion that staff plan a public information meeting on the MOU for Feb. 4 and a public hearing two days later on Feb. 6. Times were not yet established, but the location was tentatively set for the Cumberland Cultural Centre.
The MOU is available to the public now at the village office. Any questions should be directed to chief administrative officer Anja Nurvo.
The Village of Cumberland could be in the money if it moves forward with approvals for Trilogy Properties’ proposed development.
At its meeting this week, village council released the tentative memorandum of understanding regarding public amenities the development company would give Cumberland if its proposals are approved.
Mayor Fred Bates said the village is satisfied with the work by its negotiators, and was ready to receive public input on the document.
“We want to make sure we have public meetings before we sign this off,” said Bates.
The agreement outlines up to $7.8 million in amenities payments — including a $4.32-million infusion for water and village sewer upgrades if the “initial lots” — lots 4, 6a, 8b and 9 are approved.
Those include the “lifestyle centre” at the northeast corner of the Comox Valley Parkway and Inland Island Highway, the largely commercial with some tentative residential on the southeast side of that intersection along Small Road, the large residential proposal behind Village Park up to the Inland highway and larger-lot residential on the southeast corner of the highway and Royston Road.
A $1.5-million amenity payment would also be made following the approval of those lots, with the conditions that any commercial on those lands would be exempt from development cost charges, that residential DCCs would be reviewed by the developer, that an access to Lot 9b is secured off Dunsmuir Avenue and the village has arranged financing for the water and sewer upgrades.
That was the one noted concern by council this week about the agreement — the requirement that the village find funds upfront. Bates said they had been discussing with the Ministry of Community Services about possibly expanding their borrowing limits. They were told that may be possible, but it needed to be looked into further.
According to the agreement, Trilogy would give two more $1-million payments: one when the water and sewer upgrades were substantially complete and they’ve received development and building permits for the initial lots — the other when the official community plan and zoning bylaw amendments have been approved for all of the Trilogy lands.
Among other details set out in the MOU is agreement that Trilogy lands could develop and use water and sewer systems independent of the existing village supply system if that were feasible — but that those systems would be turned over to Cumberland when operational.
There were other details about roads infrastructure, trails designations and protection of environmentally sensitive lands.
The release of the MOU breaks a stand-still in Trilogy progress in the past year, after the village announced it would not consider moving any further forward with zoning and OCP bylaws until the agreement was established.
“The numbers that they’re offering are pretty much OK,” said Bates about the MOU. “With that I think we’re ready to consult (with the public).”
Council passed a motion that staff plan a public information meeting on the MOU for Feb. 4 and a public hearing two days later on Feb. 6. Times were not yet established, but the location was tentatively set for the Cumberland Cultural Centre.
The MOU is available to the public now at the village office. Any questions should be directed to chief administrative officer Anja Nurvo.