Texada moves toward overall plan

Gulf Islands Driftwood
Wednesday, November 17, 1999

By Mike Levin

Texada Land Corporation’s absence of a plan for its south-end land continues to worry local residents.

With logging still in progress on Mount Tuam and little idea of what the company’s plans are for the approximately 4,500 acres purchased two weeks ago, neighbourhood groups are looking for any handle on what to expect.

Texada’s on-island operations manager Brent Kapler moved to soothe some of the fears by arranging a meeting tonight (Wednesday) with some of the major lobby groups.

But he insists that Texada’s overall strategy is still in the works; even Kapler hasn’t been privy to the board’s proposals.

“The Wednesday night meeting is strictly a get-to-know you meet. At that time there may or may not be some specifics discussed,” Kapler said. “I can say we’ll talk in general terms about out plans.”

The company maintains it will encourage heavy public input for its plans and has hired two consultants to integrate development and planning proposals into any future project.

On the development end, Jerry Bordian explained that he has always believed that “the land will tell you what to do.”

The Vancouver-based consultant was firm in his belief that Texada will use sound land-management principles in whatever projects its creates.

Perhaps the most important planning role will fall to Michael Rosen, a self-described “point man” for private and public clients.

He will be the liaison between the company, Islands Trust planners and the public.

Also Vancouver-based, Rosen’s job will focus on helping define for Texada what can and cannot be done on its new property.

While all final decisions rest with company directors Derek Trethewey and Rob McDonald, plans “will be transparent, they have to be on Salt Spring,” Rosen said.

“When we get a better understanding of what our options are for the land, we’ll have public consultations, like a town-hall meeting. I do know that the sooner we state our intentions, the less uncertainty there will be.”

Kapler said that a preliminary plan would be ready by next week.

Meanwhile, Texada is currently building a bus shelter at the bottom of Lees Hill for school children from Burgoyne Bay.

A public meeting about the issue has been set for Fulford Hall on Thursday night at 7 p.m.

Those interested in local activities by neighbourhood groups in response to Texada activities can also go to www.saltspring.com/Annraoi/Loveourisland.html

E-mail the writer: Mike Levin