The June meeting of the Elphinstone Community Association (ECA) will feature special guest speaker MP Patrick Weiler. People are invited to submit questions ahead of time to [email protected], and there will also be opportunities to ask questions at the 7 p.m. meeting on Wednesday, June 9.
The Zoom link is available by contacting the above email address. Everyone is invited! This is the last meeting before the ECA summer break, although a summer social is being planned.
More than 30 people gathered at the parking lot of Frank West Hall on a sunny afternoon last Saturday, May 29, to discuss the future of the much-loved woods behind Grandview Heights subdivision, known as Chaster Forest, since Lot D of the forested property has recently been sold.
A resident brought the matter to the ECA, which then helped publicize the meeting for interested residents. Organized by resident Simon Hocking, the large turnout on short notice shows Area E residents have a strong interest in the forest.
Director Donna McMahon was on hand to listen to residents and explained that living in a rural area and not a municipality such as Gibsons, means having little control over development: Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI) approves subdivisions here. She remarked on the red-hot real estate market and building boom, saying that this forested area is one of the last undeveloped properties in Elphinstone.
In answer to questions about tree cutting, Donna said given our rural status, there are no applicable bylaws about private property. She is interested in pushing for regional districts having more local control over development decisions.
Hocking asked people to give their names (social distancing was in effect) and share their concerns. Everyone cited deep appreciation for the trees, the trails and the wildlife. By the end of the meeting, a committee was organized to take next steps, garner more publicity, and meet with the new owners. Even a fundraising drive was discussed.
Speaking with Hocking afterwards, he said that the group is not anti-development but would like to work with the new owner of the land to maintain wildlife corridors and trails. To get on his mailing list, reach Hocking at: [email protected]
Sympathy is extended to the family of long time Elphinstonian Bud Fisher. He was interviewed in this column in March 2019. Send me your Elphinstone news at: [email protected]
