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Metchosin Boys & Girls land


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#1 Victoria Watcher

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Posted 16 January 2021 - 07:16 AM

A proposal to carve a subdivision out of almost half a Metchosin property owned by the Boys and Girls Club has left the mayor and residents alarmed and feeling betrayed.

 

 

The non-profit organization purchased the 98-acre property from the province in 2004 on the premise that the land would remain untouched and be used entirely for youth camps and programs.

 

 

https://www.timescol...site-1.24267756

 

 

i don't know.  it's 40 acres to be divided into 8-acre parcels.  has it had a tax exemption for years?  yes - when it was being used for child programs.  when it becomes housing - 8 houses -  it won't get any tax breaks.


Edited by Victoria Watcher, 16 January 2021 - 07:17 AM.


#2 Fairbanks

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Posted 17 January 2021 - 10:15 AM

I wonder how the children feel about their club destroying this greenspace for $$$?

This is appalling.  



#3 Victoria Watcher

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Posted 17 January 2021 - 10:29 AM

8 houses on 40 acres? the greenspace has never had it better.

If there was an agreement about how the property would be handled in the future that should have been in writing at the time.

#4 Spy Black

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Posted 17 January 2021 - 06:48 PM

I think we'll find that between Ranns and the Province they'll have enough historical documentation to present, and enough local and Provincial political power with which to present it, such that the Boys and Girls Club will march, if not a quick withdrawal ... at least a withdrawal from their proposal.

 

The residents of Metchosin haven't been picking up the taxes for the Boys and Girls club for years now in order that the very thing that makes Metchosin what it is can be done away with in a fit of profit-making opportunism.

 

One things for sure, the Boys and Girls Club will certainly have lost the trust of most, if not all the rest of the municipalities in B.C. (and likely beyond), none of which will be in any sort of hurry down the road to do them any favours, or extend them any tax breaks.

Moves like this get the welcome mat quickly removed when next you most desperately need it laid out. 



#5 Victoria Watcher

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Posted 17 January 2021 - 06:59 PM

i do not quite understand the hang-up about taxes.

 

if your church denomination sells one of their church properties and consolidates in another building, and sells the first to a condo developer, how many years of back taxes do you want on that church property?  100 years?


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#6 Mike K.

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Posted 18 January 2021 - 03:37 AM

Won’t those eight homes pay taxes? Each property will yield about $6-8k in taxes. That’s pretty good for a municipality that hasn’t grown much in decades and in the last census dropped in population.

And on the other hand, you have a number of low tax farms in Metchosin which are farms in name only. The tax benefits are large, and I just don’t know if the municipality will want to have that conversation if forced to by B&G, which is likely to be politically mucky.

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#7 Victoria Watcher

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Posted 18 January 2021 - 04:00 AM

^ nice municipality you have here.

it would really be a shame if we had to start talking about farm status properties out there.
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#8 Mike K.

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Posted 18 January 2021 - 04:10 AM

Shukin is contacting MLA Mitzi Dean, the minister of children and family development and a resident of Metchosin, in hopes she can kickstart dialogue between residents and the Boys and Girls Club.


Yes, good idea. Let’s bring the province into this discussion on Metchosin property taxes.

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#9 Victoria Watcher

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Posted 18 January 2021 - 04:34 AM

the hyperbole meter is a bit high on this one no?  can you just image 8 HOUSES on this land?!?!!!  i mean i don't know, what's that adjacent?  a gravel pit?

 

 

 

 

Subdivision proposal in Metchosin would ruin natural values, opponents say

 

https://www.oakbayne...-opponents-say/

 

23930458_web1_210115-GNG-BoysGirlsSubdiv

 

[attachment=29129:screenshot-www.google.com-2021.01.18-07_37_14.png]

 

is ranns "pissed off" about that?  or is that environmental degradation (or "ruining of natural values") alright because it pays commercial taxes?  

 

these 8 houses will pay LOTS of tax and barely impact the land.  they might keep much better care of it.


Edited by Victoria Watcher, 18 January 2021 - 04:40 AM.


#10 Mike K.

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Posted 18 January 2021 - 05:00 AM

Would the munitions depot be a natural value? What about the Albert Head military base? Or the federal prison?
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#11 Victoria Watcher

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Posted 18 January 2021 - 05:02 AM

or the 700 trees that were removed to make way for the elitist pearson college (two-year $123,00 tuition)?


Edited by Victoria Watcher, 18 January 2021 - 05:05 AM.


#12 Mike K.

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Posted 18 January 2021 - 05:13 AM

Metchosin is known for its pedestrian infrastructure so natural values can be enjoyed on foot, and residents have all amenities and services within a day’s walking distance. So there is literally no need for a car once you’re home. It’s very progressive in that regard, natural values and all being at the forefront of that community.
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#13 Spy Black

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Posted 18 January 2021 - 10:43 AM

Albert Head, Mary Hill, Rocky Point, and all the land that Pearson College sits on is owned by the Federal Gov't, most of it by DND.

 

Not really the same thing at all as privately held land.



#14 Mike K.

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Posted 18 January 2021 - 11:12 AM

I don’t think that’s the point here.

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#15 Spy Black

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Posted 18 January 2021 - 02:21 PM

I don’t think that’s the point here.

You brought them up ... I pointed out that they had nothing to do with the B&G club. 



#16 Mike K.

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Posted 18 January 2021 - 02:47 PM

Nope, but as we can see, Metchosin is surrounded by some extremely unique uses, such that someone voicing a concern about eight homes across 40-acres is perhaps not seeing the forest for the trees.


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#17 Victoria Watcher

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Posted 18 January 2021 - 02:54 PM

[attachment=29137:metchosin-map.jpg]

 

metchosin is 17,574 acres.

 

pretty sure this particular 40 acres is not the end of the world.  especially putting 8 houses (20 people?) on them.  

 

 



#18 Mike K.

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Posted 18 January 2021 - 02:58 PM

With a population of 3.5 people per acre. In a housing crisis, of all things.

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#19 Victoria Watcher

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Posted 21 January 2021 - 06:40 PM

In a press release, the club says it purchased the property at a time when significant youth justice needs required space for wilderness and nature programming. But since then, changes in young offender laws and youth needs have reshaped priorities.

 

“By selling a portion of our property, we can remain responsive and adaptive to these changing priorities across our communities,” said Rebecca Lang, president of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Victoria. “This has been a considered decision. Thousands of young people have enjoyed life-changing experiences at this property.”

 

The club says the land sale would guarantee additional programs and supports at a time when demand for services is at record levels.

 

https://www.vicnews....osin-land-sale/

 

 

 

 

 

 

way back in 2004 did kids get sentenced to nature programs?


Edited by Victoria Watcher, 21 January 2021 - 06:40 PM.


#20 Mike K.

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Posted 21 January 2021 - 06:44 PM

Power to Be seems to have capitalized on providing some of these services, so maybe there’s overlap there? I don’t know if PTB deals with youth involved in criminal activity, though.
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