sustainability
From "Community Economic Development Plan"
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Everyone knows that housing is the biggest problem on Bowen. Any talk of sustainability if it is to include local residents must address this issue. The alternative is hundreds of mainlanders coming to Bowen each day to service the residents. This was predicted 30 years ago so I do not have much faith in this solution. My wife and I waited 10 years to find a sustainable accommodation so we could age in place. We know live in West Vancouver, the closest we could get.
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Posted by:unknown author
5 years ago
@Lary Waldman @Brendan Robertson @Jennifer Burns @Nance Moseley @Steve Brown @Richard Helm @Emily McCullum Thanks so much for your comments. Did you know we have Focus Group sessions starting next week on five key topics?
Health & Wellness - Wed, May 12 at 7:00 pm
Food System - Thu, May 13 at 7:00 pm
Knowledge Sector - Tue, May 18 at 4:00 pm
Strategic Tourism - Wed, May 19 at 1:00 pm
Commercial & Industrial - Wed, May 19 at 4:00 pm
In these workshops, we will focus on areas of great potential, but we will discuss the cross-cutting priorities as well, and other topics and ideas you've provided. Look under "Events" below for more information on these Focus Groups and to sign up.
Posted by:unknown author
5 years ago
Bowen Island Resilient Community Housing (BIRCH) is actively working on this issue. They will be building on land next to the Fire Hall and Health Centre and hope to break ground in the next couple of years. Have a look: https://birchousing.org/.
Posted by:unknown author
5 years ago
@Emily McCullum Hi Emily, thanks for posting this information. I couldn’t find by a quick look through the material - do we know how decisions will be made about who will be allocated the lower (sub-market) rent units ?
Posted by:unknown author
5 years ago
@Richard Helm By the non-profit. They are currently establishing criteria for tenants that will be consistent with BC Housing requirements for support. Contact BIRCH ED Robyn Fenton for information.
Posted by:unknown author
5 years ago
The more market housing we provide, the more people will immediately move to Bowen to occupy it - this is basic economics in action. The argument has been used for years as a basis for more housing units, more density, secondary suite exemptions and our house prices have risen 30 pct this year due to pressure from the lower mainland. The same people often argue for more services, better electrical grid, better internet, better transit links to downtown, swimming pools etc - all of which push up the price of housing on Bowen. Can’t have it both ways with the one exception of housing which is price regulated and access provided only to people on a wait list of long-time and somehow deserving Bowen islanders - and this would be a nightmare to regulate. Bowen is now a high priced residential community no matter how many units we build - and there is no going back on that.
Posted by:unknown author
5 years ago
@Richard Helm Agreed Richard. Increased population on Bowen resulting from increased development drives increased need for services, which is now driving increased need for more development to support local workforce. It's a circular argument for greater and greater development and growth. We need to start by looking at the outcomes we want, and the OCP sets that out clearly in the vision "Even though our island is a short ferry ride from three million urban residents, it is a world apart. Roads are winding and nights are dark. Lush vegetation and rugged topography define the island; homes and businesses fit into this landscape rather than
remake it".
Posted by:unknown author
5 years ago
We definitely need some rental housing, on Bowen, based upon the number of comments whenever this topic is raised. From lower cost housing to long term rentals, this island is underserved in this basic human need.
Posted by:unknown author
5 years ago
Space is definitely needed for Bowen Residents to age in place on island.
As Larry stated we knew this 30 years ago.
Residency in retirement and low income housing should be offered to Bowen Residents and those who have ties to the community first.
Posted by:unknown author
5 years ago
I imagine this is a similar problem faced by residents in Whistler. With prices going up so fast up there, they too have had issues with finding temporary workers to stay and service the businesses. I know the mountain provides staff housing for workers. Are you talking about housing situation for living being unsustainable? Or are you talking about mainlanders coming to Bowen to service its residents? Or both?
I believe there was a talk of an "industrial" area on Bowen Island. Less industrial, and more so trades persons could have a place to keep their tools and work on Bowen from Bowen. Not for factories, but for some services. How would you tackle the issue of sustainability?
Posted by:unknown author
5 years ago
@Brendan Robertson Perhaps the larger issue is overall sustainability for Bowen. The pace of construction and development on Bowen is something that is concerning, and drives a lot of the issues related to servicing the residents. According to a recent meeting the planner indicated that at least 600 properties could come online over and above current developments, without further approvals, which means at least another 1200 residents, which I think is an increase of another third of the existing population. What amount of residential and economic growth can Bowen actually sustain without significant ecological and other impacts. It would be useful to understand the goal for housing in this context as that has to drive the plan for services and supports. Supporting both a residential population and the workforce to deliver services both living on island is only doable with planned growth.
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