By Colleen Dane - Comox Valley Record - February 29, 200

Cumberland residents opposed to the Trilogy project are vowing to continue their fight against the 760-acre development that received third reading this week.

“I think there was just some numbness last night as well as sadness and anger,” said Grace Doherty, a member of the Cumberland Residents’ Association, Thursday morning after a special council meeting the night before.

“But it’s not over — it’s not over until the fat lady sings,” said Kate Greening adding to the group’s overall reaction.

After over two years of applications, debate, discussion, pauses and meetings, Cumberland council voted in favour of giving Trilogy’s initial four lots third reading for their rezoning and Official Community Plan amendments.

Those include the “lifestyle centre” at the northeast corner of the Comox Valley Parkway and Inland Island Highway (Lot 4), the largely commercial with some tentative residential on the southeast side of that intersection along Small Road (Lot 6), the large residential proposal behind Village Park up to the Inland highway (Lot 9b) and larger-lot residential on the southeast corner of the highway and Royston Road (Lot 8).

After a public hearing a few weeks ago when the majority of speakers raised their concerns, council decided this week to move forward with the initial lots — as long as a document of conditions are met.

“I think it’s a win-win deal, we’ve looked at this thing for two and a half years and everything’s been addressed,” said Coun. Bronco Moncrief. “This thing is a win-win for all in the town, and I’ll fight tooth and nail for it.”

Coun. Leslie Baird and Coun. Dale Frame also voted in favour.

Coun. Gwyn Sproule opposed the lot 4, 6, and 9b bylaws, saying they diluted commercial lands by including standalone residential, moved the village focus outside of the historical downtown core and seriously altered principles in the Official Community Plan.

“Residents have reviewed the OCP and they wish to keep to the original vision,” said Sproule. “The document was well thought out and makes sense. It’s no wonder that the public feels betrayed by the huge changes proposed.”

Mayor Fred Bates said after the meeting that many people have been supportive of the project, and that it will help the community.

“I think it is time to move forward and I feel positive about it,” he said, noting the opportunity to upgrade sewer and water services in the village. “It’s not only the village; I think it’s a good development for the Comox Valley.”

A comprehensive development agreement still needs to be worked out between the developer and the village — and council said it would not give final approval to any of the lots until things like water service, highway infrastructure and environmental review plans are complete.

John Evans, president of Trilogy, was out of country and unavailable for comment.

Doherty, Greening and the residents’ association will continue to watch the proposal. They have ongoing questions about the process, cumulative impact, the changes to the OCP and the amount received in amenities from the developer.

They have already been getting input about potential legal action from groups like West Coast Environmental Law and the Baynes Sound Area Society for Sustainability, which launched a petition against the Kensington development in Union Bay.

‘We are proceeding on that — but we will proceed slowly,” said Doherty, noting bylaws have to be fully approved before they can be challenged.

In the meantime, their feelings are displayed visually with an eight-foot-high sign on Greening’s front lawn that reads O.C.P. SOLD OUT.