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Woodwyn Therapeutic Community; Central Saanich


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#41 spanky123

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Posted 23 July 2014 - 11:00 AM

And there's the problem. Woodwynn's initial proposal was given the cold shoulder by council. Woodwynn went ahead anyway which forced council into taking an even harder line. Both sides are entrenched and now there's a lot of bad blood.

 

The ALR concerns are valid. Any exception to the ALR rules might inspire some greedy developer to exploit loopholes, carving out more and more chunks of farmland for development. However, there are always ways to ensure worthy exceptions are strictly one-offs that can't be replicated elsewhere.

 

Lots of people every day get their permits and applications rejected by a City council somewhere. Most don't then go ahead and proceed anyways hoping that the City won't enforce the rules. 



#42 Bingo

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Posted 29 October 2014 - 09:38 PM

The executive director of the society that operates Woodwynn Farms has filed a counter claim against the district of Central Saanich in BC Supreme Court.

The farm has been in operation for five years as a "therapeutic community for the homeless".
Central Saanich filed a claim against Woodwynn Farms in July, requesting the courts order it to stop using the property for commercial, office, and industrial use, and as a mobile home park and campground.

 

 



#43 Sparky

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Posted 29 October 2014 - 09:41 PM

^ I can't see him being successful with a counter claim unless he has been discriminated against, or someone at CS has been negligent. 



#44 spanky123

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Posted 11 July 2018 - 01:55 PM

The Provincs has purchased Woodwyn farms for $6.9M. http://www.timescolo...lion-1.23364934. The purchase price is $5.8M and another $1.1M is allocated for other costs.

 

The TC claims that the appraised value is $6.0M,. BC Assessment claims that the value is $725K. https://www.bcassess...DAwMDAxTEUyVA==

 

Seems like the Richmond numbered company owners who are owed $5.3M by the society which owns Woodwyn have dodged a major bullet since the ALC has denied permission to develop the property and build houses.


Edited by spanky123, 11 July 2018 - 01:58 PM.


#45 Nparker

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Posted 11 July 2018 - 01:57 PM

The Provincs has purchased Woodwyn farms for $6.9M...

Will this stop the neighbours from complaining of its use as a rehab program?



#46 Bingo

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Posted 11 July 2018 - 03:54 PM

I think this property can still do some good, and I am glad to see the Province give it another shot.

If the assessed value is as claimed, that is roughly the same as the figure quoted to police the tent city near Uptown.

 

The TC claims that the appraised value is $6.0M,. BC Assessment claims that the value is $725Khttps://www.bcassess...DAwMDAxTEUyVA==

 


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#47 LJ

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Posted 11 July 2018 - 07:24 PM

So will we have a huge tent city on the property? Move them out of all the parks etc. and herd them out to the farm. Perfect.


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#48 sdwright.vic

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Posted 11 July 2018 - 07:32 PM

Since its designated farm land I am going to believe BC Assessment. If it was land that could be developed, then I would believe the Time Colonist.
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#49 spanky123

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Posted 12 July 2018 - 04:19 AM

Will this stop the neighbours from complaining of its use as a rehab program?

 

In my opinion, this was never successful as a 'rehab program'. With few exceptions, Richard never had more than a handful of people working on the farm, less than what they were allowed to have even under the restricted zoning.

 

When Woodwyn first opened lots of us pointed out here that homeless people would not want to live so far from the downtown core and that was before they started getting everything for free. Why would anyone want to work for a living out in the boonies when everything they could want is provided to them free of charge right in the middle of the action? 

 

Now if Victoria and Saanich were willing to say to people that they have a facility that people can attend, work and contribute at and unless they take the offer they will be forced out of the parks I would be a big supporter. Anyone want to take that bet?



#50 Bingo

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Posted 12 July 2018 - 08:42 AM

I think it will work this time around.



#51 Jackerbie

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Posted 12 July 2018 - 10:55 AM

Will this stop the neighbours from complaining of its use as a rehab program?

 

So will we have a huge tent city on the property? Move them out of all the parks etc. and herd them out to the farm. Perfect.

 

I believe the new direction is to have no housing on the property. Participants in the program will live in one of the other low-barrier housing projects in the region, and will be transported to the farm and back each day.



#52 Nparker

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Posted 12 July 2018 - 11:02 AM

...Participants in the program will live in one of the other low-barrier housing projects in the region, and will be transported to the farm and back each day.

Not only is this inefficient, (shuttling participants back-and-forth twice a day from any number of facilities) but non-residents are much less likely to stay committed to the program. In addition, I would imagine the ability to stay clean and sober throughout the program is probably more difficult when participants are sent back to "vice-central" every day.


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#53 LJ

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Posted 12 July 2018 - 07:55 PM

I believe the new direction is to have no housing on the property. Participants in the program will live in one of the other low-barrier housing projects in the region, and will be transported to the farm and back each day.

But, but, but, tents aren't housing. We know this because the folks living in them are demanding free housing, not even shelters are good enough for them.


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#54 spanky123

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Posted 13 July 2018 - 04:17 AM

Not only is this inefficient, (shuttling participants back-and-forth twice a day from any number of facilities) but non-residents are much less likely to stay committed to the program. In addition, I would imagine the ability to stay clean and sober throughout the program is probably more difficult when participants are sent back to "vice-central" every day.

 

Agreed. PHS and Our Place 'residents' can already get paid for doing tasks such as flushing the toilet after use and cleaning up their own room, why would they possibly want to travel out to Central Saanich for work? I guess the Province could decide to pay them more money in which case the local farm labourers might then find it more lucrative to quit their jobs and join tent city so that they too can then get all of the freebees and higher pay as well. Probably shouldn't have said that as the poverty pimps will now have a new revenue source!


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#55 Victoria Watcher

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Posted 17 December 2020 - 03:43 PM

Tsartlip First Nation takes possession of former Woodwynn Farm

Leadership of Nation now consulting membership for best future use

 

https://www.vicnews....-woodwynn-farm/

 

 

 

A local First Nation will consult its membership about best possible uses for the former Woodwynn Farm property after assuming possession of it on Dec. 16, following what has been described as “a historic agreement” with the provincial government.

 

Tsartlip First Nation Chief Don Tom said his nation is excited to acquire the 78-hectare property because it will help the nation expand its land base. The land, once used by the Tsartlip First Nation for hunting, farming and traditional practices, lies next to the nation’s only reserve. With more than 1,000 members, the community has run out of space to fulfill housing, recreational and cultural needs.

 

Tsartlip First Nation purchased the farm from BC Housing through a $7.77-million grant from the provincial government. BC Housing purchased the site in July 2018 and has leased it to a local farmer, who is actively farming the property. That lease has been extended to September 2021.


Edited by Victoria Watcher, 17 December 2020 - 03:44 PM.


#56 Nparker

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Posted 17 December 2020 - 03:48 PM

 

...Tsartlip First Nation purchased the farm from BC Housing through a $7.77-million grant from the provincial government...

So the Province paid for the purchase from itself.  :confused:


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#57 spanky123

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Posted 17 December 2020 - 03:52 PM

So the Province paid for the purchase from itself.  :confused:

 

That is the way 99% of these deals are done. The Government makes a big deal of the fact that a FN band has "purchased" something but when you look at the deals the money was given to them.

 

I have no issues with a FN band being provided economic opportunities. I just wonder when in some cases tens of millions of dollars are provided to relatively small bands yet the majority of their members still live in squalor. 


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#58 LJ

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Posted 17 December 2020 - 08:30 PM

So the Province paid for the purchase from itself.  :confused:

No, you bought the farm, just can't use it.


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#59 UDeMan

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Posted 17 December 2020 - 08:37 PM

would be the perfect place for a film studio.

 

but, if it still stays in the ALR, perhaps marijuana greenhouses.


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#60 max.bravo

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Posted 17 December 2020 - 09:33 PM

ALR is an interesting question now that a FN is titled owner. I bet they can do whatever they want with it because its “traditional territory.”

Personally I’m not looking forward to seeing that beautiful valley turn into another ramshackle trailer park, but hey, Reconciliation is worth it, apparently.

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