The town may be down in numbers today, but they’re making plans for a much more progressive tomorrow in Port Edward.
Earlier this week the district hosted an open house to allow the town’s residents to take a look at the new Official Community Plan.
With a quick nod to the present and the past with an examination of the Pulp Mill site and some thoughts on what may happen there, the session was all forward thinking. The question for everyone was where Port Ed is going to go in the future?
From housing developments, to light industrial zoning, commercial and even the possibility of an airport development on Lelu Island, the consultants L & M Engineering Ltd expanded on their thoughts and left the community to ponder what they want their town to look like over the next 25 years or so.
The Daily news provided details of some of the points in Wednesday’s paper.
Port Ed’s plan full of optimism
By Patrick Witwicki
The Daily News
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Pages one and three
It's now official - Port Edward is excited about the future.
The district held an open house on Monday evening at the community hall and the session enabled residents to have a look at the proposed new Official Community Plan.
Directors from L & M Engineering Ltd, who have come up with the report regarding Port Edward's future, were on hand to answer questions, and explain some of the finer points of the report.
"I'm very pleased with the turn-out," said Mayor Dave MacDonald.
"I hope people take the time to fill out the (questionnaires) ... we're very interested in what people have to say."
Heather Oland, director of planning for L & M - a company based out of Prince George - was the main spokesperson for the evening, explaining that the report is simply in its initial stages, and that Port Edward residents will still get a chance to offer input and say whether or not they like what L & M is proposing.
"The important thing is that this is your plan, your community," she said.
"We'll analyze your comments, and make a spreadsheet, and then we'll have more interviews with CN, First Nations, the district, the port ... and go from there.
"It's important for this to be your vision."
Port Edward has not redone its community plan since 1993, but considering the expected development and growth on the North Coast due largely to the expansion of the container port, the district felt it was time to come up with a new strategy to deal with the potential population and business increase.
Oland said that in preparing the report, they could tell what advantages Port Edward might have over the city of Prince Rupert, even though the commute between the two communities is more than 10 minutes.
"For people who are (moving) to the area, a 10-minute drive doesn't bother them," she said.
She also pointed out that while Prince Rupert doesn't have a lot of room, and can only build "up" (apartments, condominiums, etc), Port Edward still has the room for housing development, such as King City phase 2, and Kloiya Bay (see map and accompanying side-bar below).
King City is currently zoned for a trailer park, but L & M is recommending that Port Edward change it to a residential area.
The topic of the unused pulp mill on Watson Island was also discussed, as a Port Edward resident asked what might happen in the near future with the site. Watson Island is located next to area No. 2 (Connoxy Industrial Area) and No. 4 (Commercial activity) and is zoned for light industrial activity, but is not marked on L & M's map.
"That's the conversation your community has to have," said Oland. "The chances of that reopening are slim.
"It was a devastating loss, but although it came at a cost, it also had a benefit. Once it closed, things have changed ... you're still here, the community's still growing."
According to the L & M report, it is predicted that the population in Port Edward could increase to as many as 1,200 people by 2031 based on a three per cent growth rate. The largest population Port Edward has experienced was back in 1976, also at 1,200, but it has been in decline ever since the pulp mill shut down in the 1990s.
Currently, Port Edward's population is fewer than 600.
The report is also predicted a dramatic population increase in Prince Rupert during the next five years, and then a relative constant growth rate until 2031.
It concludes that if Port Edward does experience that three per cent rate of growth, that "over a 25-year period will require 25 hectares of land for conventional single-family dwellings and a density of 11 to 12 units per hectare. In order to account for natural ownership constraints and unpredictable short-term growth, a minimum of 60 hectares of developable land should be identified in the Port Edward townsite to accommodate future residential growth."
MacDonald is happy with what L & M has come up with so far.
"It's quite exciting to see what the potential is in Port Edward, without hurting our neighbour (Prince Rupert)," said MacDonald.
- Highlights of Port Edward's new plan
Some recommended developments pointed out by L & M Engineering LTD at Monday's public open house in the district of Port Edward ...
. 1 - Kloiya Bay
Set aside for potential rural, residential development; i.e. people who want larger properties like for horses, boat storage, etc.
. 2 - Conoxy Industrial Area
Already zoned as light industrial, including Watson Island area, site of the now defunct pulp mill. Could be expanded to house more industry in the area as the economy and population grows.
. 3, 4 and 5 - Commercial and industrial opportunities, including Wolf Creek (site of the now-closed hatchery), the current location for the water treatment plant, and alongside the highway that joins Port Edward with Highway 16.
. 6 - King City
Located at the southwestern edge of Port Edward, the potential for redevelopment - i.e., single- or double-family homes, depending on zoning - should occur as the area grows. Currently, the area is zoned for a mobile home park, but it is recommended that the district alter that zoning.
. 7 - Lelu Island
Across Inverness Passage, facing Port Edward, is an island that has potential for both commercial and light industrial use. It is noted that the other areas would be developed first, but Lelu Island could be used for light industrial in conjunction with the Prince Rupert Port Authority, or potentially even as the site for an airport.
. 8 - Inverness Passage
The road connecting Port Ed to the North Pacific Fishing Village museum does not include any businesses, but it is recommended that as the region grows, commercial tourism-based activity could be developed along that road, such as small motels or bed-and-breakfasts, and recreational activity-related business such as fishing charters.
. 9 - Future commercial activity
Located right in the centre of Port Edward, above where Skeena Drive currently sits, there could be the development of small local businesses to serve the district's residents, like a coffee shop, laundromat or video store. Its central location is also within walking distance for the majority of Port Ed's residents
Earlier this week the district hosted an open house to allow the town’s residents to take a look at the new Official Community Plan.
With a quick nod to the present and the past with an examination of the Pulp Mill site and some thoughts on what may happen there, the session was all forward thinking. The question for everyone was where Port Ed is going to go in the future?
From housing developments, to light industrial zoning, commercial and even the possibility of an airport development on Lelu Island, the consultants L & M Engineering Ltd expanded on their thoughts and left the community to ponder what they want their town to look like over the next 25 years or so.
The Daily news provided details of some of the points in Wednesday’s paper.
Port Ed’s plan full of optimism
By Patrick Witwicki
The Daily News
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Pages one and three
It's now official - Port Edward is excited about the future.
The district held an open house on Monday evening at the community hall and the session enabled residents to have a look at the proposed new Official Community Plan.
Directors from L & M Engineering Ltd, who have come up with the report regarding Port Edward's future, were on hand to answer questions, and explain some of the finer points of the report.
"I'm very pleased with the turn-out," said Mayor Dave MacDonald.
"I hope people take the time to fill out the (questionnaires) ... we're very interested in what people have to say."
Heather Oland, director of planning for L & M - a company based out of Prince George - was the main spokesperson for the evening, explaining that the report is simply in its initial stages, and that Port Edward residents will still get a chance to offer input and say whether or not they like what L & M is proposing.
"The important thing is that this is your plan, your community," she said.
"We'll analyze your comments, and make a spreadsheet, and then we'll have more interviews with CN, First Nations, the district, the port ... and go from there.
"It's important for this to be your vision."
Port Edward has not redone its community plan since 1993, but considering the expected development and growth on the North Coast due largely to the expansion of the container port, the district felt it was time to come up with a new strategy to deal with the potential population and business increase.
Oland said that in preparing the report, they could tell what advantages Port Edward might have over the city of Prince Rupert, even though the commute between the two communities is more than 10 minutes.
"For people who are (moving) to the area, a 10-minute drive doesn't bother them," she said.
She also pointed out that while Prince Rupert doesn't have a lot of room, and can only build "up" (apartments, condominiums, etc), Port Edward still has the room for housing development, such as King City phase 2, and Kloiya Bay (see map and accompanying side-bar below).
King City is currently zoned for a trailer park, but L & M is recommending that Port Edward change it to a residential area.
The topic of the unused pulp mill on Watson Island was also discussed, as a Port Edward resident asked what might happen in the near future with the site. Watson Island is located next to area No. 2 (Connoxy Industrial Area) and No. 4 (Commercial activity) and is zoned for light industrial activity, but is not marked on L & M's map.
"That's the conversation your community has to have," said Oland. "The chances of that reopening are slim.
"It was a devastating loss, but although it came at a cost, it also had a benefit. Once it closed, things have changed ... you're still here, the community's still growing."
According to the L & M report, it is predicted that the population in Port Edward could increase to as many as 1,200 people by 2031 based on a three per cent growth rate. The largest population Port Edward has experienced was back in 1976, also at 1,200, but it has been in decline ever since the pulp mill shut down in the 1990s.
Currently, Port Edward's population is fewer than 600.
The report is also predicted a dramatic population increase in Prince Rupert during the next five years, and then a relative constant growth rate until 2031.
It concludes that if Port Edward does experience that three per cent rate of growth, that "over a 25-year period will require 25 hectares of land for conventional single-family dwellings and a density of 11 to 12 units per hectare. In order to account for natural ownership constraints and unpredictable short-term growth, a minimum of 60 hectares of developable land should be identified in the Port Edward townsite to accommodate future residential growth."
MacDonald is happy with what L & M has come up with so far.
"It's quite exciting to see what the potential is in Port Edward, without hurting our neighbour (Prince Rupert)," said MacDonald.
- Highlights of Port Edward's new plan
Some recommended developments pointed out by L & M Engineering LTD at Monday's public open house in the district of Port Edward ...
. 1 - Kloiya Bay
Set aside for potential rural, residential development; i.e. people who want larger properties like for horses, boat storage, etc.
. 2 - Conoxy Industrial Area
Already zoned as light industrial, including Watson Island area, site of the now defunct pulp mill. Could be expanded to house more industry in the area as the economy and population grows.
. 3, 4 and 5 - Commercial and industrial opportunities, including Wolf Creek (site of the now-closed hatchery), the current location for the water treatment plant, and alongside the highway that joins Port Edward with Highway 16.
. 6 - King City
Located at the southwestern edge of Port Edward, the potential for redevelopment - i.e., single- or double-family homes, depending on zoning - should occur as the area grows. Currently, the area is zoned for a mobile home park, but it is recommended that the district alter that zoning.
. 7 - Lelu Island
Across Inverness Passage, facing Port Edward, is an island that has potential for both commercial and light industrial use. It is noted that the other areas would be developed first, but Lelu Island could be used for light industrial in conjunction with the Prince Rupert Port Authority, or potentially even as the site for an airport.
. 8 - Inverness Passage
The road connecting Port Ed to the North Pacific Fishing Village museum does not include any businesses, but it is recommended that as the region grows, commercial tourism-based activity could be developed along that road, such as small motels or bed-and-breakfasts, and recreational activity-related business such as fishing charters.
. 9 - Future commercial activity
Located right in the centre of Port Edward, above where Skeena Drive currently sits, there could be the development of small local businesses to serve the district's residents, like a coffee shop, laundromat or video store. Its central location is also within walking distance for the majority of Port Ed's residents
No comments:
Post a Comment