1190 replies to this topic

[Mike K.]

So what’s the hang-up?

The province did its part, but it looks like Sooke can’t figure out where this facility should go.

So who’s at fault? The province, or Sooke, or both?

Sooke’s Throup Road connector is being designed on land the District does not currently own. They budget $30 to $40 million for the short roadway project. Whose fault is it, the District does not currently have the right of way secured, and why does the road need to be designed to a $40 million standard? It’s just a short connection, 300 meters, plus improvements to the roads leading up to the connection.

How can that cost $40 million? Is the District over-planning or over-complicating what ought to be a simple road connection? So many questions, but all we see is finger pointing.

[lanforod]

It's "Let's get all these projects 'shovel ready' so that when the province or feds decide to play politics, we're ready for the money" mentality.

[Mike K.]

The money has already been allocated. Nobody knows why Sooke hasn’t moved forward on the healthcare clinic, but it’s an example of what the province is referring to, when they say they have provided the district with money but nothing is happening.

Where is the healthcare facility going? It was planned for 6671 Wadams Way. Nothing is happening there, two years on.

[Barrister]

I dont know the answer to this but is it a municipal responsibility to provide for a health care clinic or is the province off loading this onto the municipality. Providing money to build it might not be the same as funding its ongoing operation.

[Mike K.]

It is a municipal responsibility indirectly, yes. The province did not say they would build the facility, they said they would fund its operation. It is the responsibility of the municipality to find a location suitable for the facility.

 

The province was under the assumption it would be located at a social housing development Sooke approved at 6671 Wadams Way. That project has not moved forward despite having received approvals in 2023. I don't know the bureaucracy behind the proposal, but given how much time has elapsed, and how high construction costs have gone, it's anyone's guess if the project will even be built. Here is that project: https://victoria.cit...eniors-housing/

 

Last I heard, the municipality was exploring a development immediately opposite 6671 Wadams, west of that parcel, and just south of the newly built Sooke library. There is no public information available on the status of that pursuit, however.

[Barrister]

I understand that the province has agree to fund if the municipality looks after building it. But is not the actual legal responsibility to both build and fund medical clinics on the province in the first place. What the province seems to have done is download this on the municipality to look after when it should be the province doing it in the first place. Basically these clinics are just like hospitals and health care is a provincial not municipal responsibility.

[Victoria Watcher]

In 2024 we are probably doing most healthcare wrong, at least for older people.  

[Mike K.]

I understand that the province has agree to fund if the municipality looks after building it. But is not the actual legal responsibility to both build and fund medical clinics on the province in the first place. What the province seems to have done is download this on the municipality to look after when it should be the province doing it in the first place. Basically these clinics are just like hospitals and health care is a provincial not municipal responsibility.

Whatever the case, where is Sooke’s healthcare clinic?

All governments are asleep at the wheel on that front.

[Barrister]

Sooke needs an actual hospital considering its growth and distance from Victoria. 

[Victoria Watcher]

After five months of refusing to comply with provincial housing regulations, Burnaby city council is now on track to approve the mandated bylaw.

 

At a meeting Dec. 2, councillors unanimously passed three of four major approvals to introduce “transit-oriented areas,” or TOAs, concentric rings drawn around rapid transit stations.

 

The provincial legislation requires cities to permit between eight- and 20-storey buildings within the designated areas, depending on the proximity to the station.

 

The province had required the bylaw to be in place by the end of June this year, but Burnaby council twice delayed the matter until after the provincial election in October.

 

There was no discussion about the approvals around the council table.

 

After the meeting, the Burnaby NOW asked Mayor Mike Hurley what had changed.

 

“I don’t think we have any option,” Hurley said, noting the NDP government remains in power.

 

 

 

https://www.burnabyn...demands-9902017

 

 

 

 

 

 

https://x.com/SteveS...128532831277403

 

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 07 December 2024 - 03:19 AM.

[Mike K.]

That’s $587/month they are charging, as far as the consumer of the housing is concerned, once you mortgage that $100,000.

After 5 years, the remaining balance is $88,627.