Most speakers opposed at Cumberland public hearing to Trilogy development

By Mark Allan - Comox Valley Record

Published: November 09, 2008 12:00 PM
Updated: November 09, 2008 12:14 PM
All but one speaker was opposed Saturday to the first of three large developments dealt with in Cumberland public hearings in a five-day span.

Many speakers opposing a development proposed by Trilogy Properties also questioned the timing of a public hearing at the Cumberland Cultural Centre exactly one week before the municipal elections that could change the face of the village council.

All current members of council, including the mayor, are running for re-election. All of them face challenges.

“I oppose every single bylaw that’s listed here today,” stated Kate Greening, who is seeking a council seat Saturday.

The public hearing dealt with 11 proposed bylaws involving 16 lots that would contain a variety of residential, retail, commercial and recreational uses.

Like other speakers, Greening criticized council’s deviation from the Official Community Plan.

While Trilogy, she said, would get to change the whole character of the village, the Vancouver-based company “may” meet Cumberland’s objectives said Greening, citing wording in the proposed agreement. The document, she complained, does not compel Trilogy to meet Cumberland’s objectives.

“Why are we actually doing this right now?” she continued. “What is the desperation? Is it because the developer says if we don’t do it, he’ll leave?”

Jim Stepan, who co-owns Seeds Natural Food Market, said proceeding with the approval process so close to the election is irresponsible.

Several speakers conceded that cash-strapped Cumberland needs upgrades to its infrastructure such as roads and sewer.

Betty Peterson was the lone speaker to support the proposal.

“I believe fully in Trilogy, and we need something like it here,” she exclaimed. “We don’t have one decent road in town.”

“There is no doubt Cumberland’s infrastructure is in need of repair,” stated Grace Doherty, speaking on behalf of the absent Evan Loveless, who opposes the development.

She criticized the absence of a fiscal impact analysis, echoing other speakers questioning whether Trilogy’s proposal is the best deal Cumberland could negotiate.

Richard Drake, speaking through Doherty, raised the spectre of an alternative Cumberland centre along Highway 19 that would force new residents to drive to the existing village, or to Courtenay.

Speaking for herself, Doherty said she was opposed to the proposed deal.

“Representatives of this real estate company have stated numerous times it’s all or nothing. I now favour nothing.”

She criticized a residential component that has grown from Trilogy’s original proposal, the loss of the BMX track and the way Cumberland’s parkland would be affected.

During her colourful and emotional presentation, Eileen Bennett ran afoul of Mayor Fred Bates, who had earlier outlined the boundaries of what speakers could address.

As Bates attempted to focus a defiant Bennett, an argument briefly broke out in the back of the crowd of about 50 between two camps that appeared to have conflicting positions about Trilogy’s proposal.

Some time later, saying he spoke for Cumberland neighbours on nearby Minto Road, Allen Wainwright raised the possibility of legal action should development harm their water supply.

Wendy Kotilla, who said she also lives on Minto

Road in the regional district’s Area A, expressed concern about the effect of development on water and air quality as well as what might befall fish and wildlife.

Council will consider the Trilogy proposal by voting on third reading on a date that has yet to be announced.

Public hearings for two other large developments in the village are scheduled for Nov. 12 at the Cumberland Recreational Institute — the Coal Valley Estates proposal at 5 p.m. and Bell Group proposal at 7 p.m.