Putting together what contributed to the present situation where we are still stuck depending on this ‘development’ for our future. Here’s the editor of the Comox Valley Record making claims that KIP was a responsible developer – how the f*ck did he come to that conclusion? It’s not like KIP/McMahon had any experience building a huge project before. I believe he built a 35 home development in Cumberland.
Democracy loses
The Courtenay Comox Valley Record. Courtenay, B.C.: Feb 15, 2008. p. A34
If democracy manifests the will of the majority, then what has happened with the Kensington Island Properties proposal is most undemocratic.
It’s been obvious for some time that a clear majority of Union Bay residents approved of KIP’s 342-hectare development proposalcalled Kensington Coastal Pointe.
After an agonizing decade-long process culminating in Kensington meeting more than 20 conditions insisted upon by the Comox Strathcona Regional District (CSRD), KIP finally appeared to have a green light late last year.
That’s when a small group of dissidents calling themselves the Baynes Sound Area Society for Sustainability (BSASS) appealed at the 11th hour to some skilful development-killers from Victoria.
In short order, a lawsuit was filed and the K’omoks Band adopted a hard-line stance absent in previous discussions with Kensington.
With new demands from the local native band and a predictable complaint about lack of consultation, the provincial government withheld approval of bylaws necessary for the project to proceed.
Kensington vice-president Brian McMahon could not be blamed for throwing up his hands and walking away.
Valley residents should be vigilant to protect their interests and way of life in the face of major developments proposed for the area — and that is not meant to criticize the Trilogy project in Cumberland.
But Coastal Pointe is a responsible development that even includes provision for Habitat for Humanity housing. Kensington improved salmon habitat in Washer Creek and was prepared to pay a significant part of the cost for a badly needed water filtration system, sewage treatment system and a new fire hall.
If Kensington walks away, how will the 1,000 residents of Union Bay pay for that?
God help the people in Union Bay who helped to kill the project if they’re ever overheard complaining about having to pay their share.
This development was shoved down our throats by the CVRD at the time. First they held meetings promising Langley Lake was not even on the table or being considered as the water source. This is from those 2 nights of hearings Mar. 2006. Page 3 Point # 14. https://drive.google.com/file/d/15aZfTy-Qtmr6bMePzZmEa3nLnRrIk4so/view?usp=sharing
The community supported it and then the CVRD turned around and changed the water source to Langley Lake. BSASS initiated the lawsuit and won it easily as the judge stated the people were not given the opportunity to speak to the new water source.
The CVRD then held meetings in 2009 and allowed anyone, anywhere in the world to support the development and it was approved with a Master Development Agreement in 2010. Here’s a bit of background. Read what all these so called leaders of the community claimed Union Bay was receiving from sleazy KIP/McMahon.
There are so many people who should be ashamed for the harm they caused our community but they are just as stupid now as they were then and hold themselves up as the pillars of the community. YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE – including UBID trustees that screwed us. All those at UBID (including staff since 2005) except Carol Molstad, Bruce Livesey, Anne Alcock, Eve Gaudreau, Alan Webb, Jim Elliott, Susanna Kaljur, Ian Munro and Administrator Kevin Douville actually were the only ones working for the community and not for a f*cking developer like those not mentioned. They ensured this slime ball could con us for years. Bunch of hillbillies. https://maryreynoldsunionbayblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/kensington-island-properties-and-union.html
allthingsunionbay 