Townsite Ratepayers Society (TRS) has presented City of Powell River councillors with a list of priorities for the coming year.
At the December 13 committee of the whole meeting, TRS president Stephen Miller appeared as a delegation to present the priorities.
“Townsite Ratepayers Society exists to represent the interests of residents of Townsite, and our overriding principle is to try and make Townsite the best place for residents to live and raise families,” said Miller. “Our board of directors, along with our members, have put together a list of priorities for the 2022/2023 year. We would like to share these with you.”
The first priority outlined is the consolidated wastewater treatment plant. Miller said society members hope the plant has been designed well and works the way they have been told it will work. He expressed concerns the ratepayers have with the plant.
The first was contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) and what will be generated from the plant.
“We recognize how important our oceans are to our community and CECs are growing concerns,” said Miller.
He said airborne pathogens are being emitted from the plant.
“How much will be coming from the plant and will it be healthy or harmful to our residents?” asked Miller.
His final point was that disposal of the solid waste, and knowing this will be done in a smart, socially responsible and environmentally responsible way, is important.
Miller then broached the old golf course lands in Townsite. He said the society wants to see the elimination of section 21 from the city’s incorporation act since there is no need to provide protection to businesses that are not operating as a mill.
He said the society also wants to help develop and monitor proposals for these lands, including live/work housing that is complementary to the neighbourhood, ensuring a neighbourhood-friendly trail system for bicycles, accessibility paths and pedestrians, plus adding benches, viewpoints, historical plaques and land art.
Miller’s final point involved the possibility of creating a land trust to protect the entire 80 acres of land.
Regarding mill curtailment and cleanup, Miller suggested reviewing and providing input on any new uses being proposed and ensuring the safety and health of Townsite residents. He also said all mill lands/storage sites and dump sites should be cleaned up, and that taxpayers should not be on the hook to pay for cleanup.
Miller also mentioned the Maple and Willow avenue corridors, corporate membership and the Townsite commercial core.
“We wanted to inform you of what our priorities are for this next year and we look forward to working with council and committees on these different initiatives,” said Miller.
Councillor Cindy Elliott said she shares a lot of the outline concerns. She said the city has been looking into CECs and has been pushing the government to set a standard.
She said the section 21 elimination has happened on all lands currently owned by the city, so Miller must be referring to properties owned by corporations. Miller said that was the case.
“The reason for section 21 was to complement the manufacturing of the lumber and stuff through the mill,” added Miller. “Since the mill will no longer exist, section 21 provides greater protection to those businesses than they otherwise would have if there was not a mill there.”
