Editor:
The East Porpoise Bay Ratepayers Association (EPBRPA) wishes to clarify what we feel is misinformation contained in the CCBA's letter (Coast Reporter, Aug. 6).
The District of Sechelt is not "clarifying" industrial zoning in East Porpoise Bay; they are changing it to marine only industry.
It is true that commercial and industrial lands have a higher mill rate than a single residential property; however, increased residential density translates to higher taxes collected for the same footprint. As Jim Cleghorn, president of the Sechelt Chamber of Commerce, stated on March 10: "The highest and best use of the land is residential."
Our beautiful and valuable waterfront should be made available for use by the entire community rather than a single industry that could potentially despoil the sensitive shoreline.
In May 2009 we made a presentation to council regarding land use (on our website at eastporpoise.com under archives).
On July 15 in an email to mayor and council we said, "As you may remember, our position then (remaining unchanged today) is that the best use of the waterfront in EPB, to serve the entire District, is a combination of residential and commercial. We have never objected to the types of businesses currently located along the waterfront."
It is very disheartening when we are regularly misrepresented with comments such as 'all they want in EPB is residential'. What we want is the best use for the majority of the community: homes for people to live in which will be built by local contractors, businesses that will provide jobs and draw people, local and tourists, to a vibrant waterfront - all of which will provide taxes to the District of Sechelt. We hope that the current draft of the official community plan will be amended to something that better serves the community.
Val Morris
President/EPBRPA
