Court Documents Reveal the Truth
A 31-page Agreement, signed by British Pacific Properties President Geoffrey Croll and the District’s Chief Administration Officer Nina Leemhuis, shows disturbing evidence of the influence big developers have at Municipal Hall. British Pacific Properties (BPP) purchased the lands above the Upper Levels highway (stretching west to Horseshoe Bay) sometime in the mid 1950’s for $75,000. This Agreement shows that portions of the land have since been sold to “other owners”.
BPP, the “other owners” and the District entered into a Phased Development Agreement (“PDA”) dated September 9, 2008, which provides, among other things, that BPP and the other owners must prepare integrated stormwater management plans (the “RC ISMP”) for Pipe, Westmont and Cave watershed prior to developing any portion of the Rodgers Creek Lands lying within the watershed in which development would occur and construct to the satisfaction of the District all works required solely to mitigate the impacts of development of the Rodgers Creek Lands.
In anticipation of potential future development west of the Rodgers Creek Lands, British Pacific Properties, at its sole cost, expanded the scope of the RC ISMP to include the Godman and Turner Creek watershed to the west of the Rodgers Creek Lands.
BPP and the “other owners” wish to construct and install the Stormwater Diversion Works as defined in this Agreement for the purpose of mitigating the impacts associated with the proposed development of the Rodgers Creek Lands. Furthermore, BPP wishes to construct and install the Stormwater Diversion Works for the further purpose of mitigating the impacts associated with the potential future development of BPP owned lands west of the Rodgers Creek Lands
A MESSAGE FROM MAYOR AND COUNCIL – “It’s a major project to protect the community from the impacts of climate change. Council must always ensure the safety of the community above all else, especially in the face of threats caused by climate change”.
Is this project about climate change or does it facilitate future development? Developers are required to “manage water” on their sites as a part of their costs so why doesn’t this same requirement apply to BPP.
How does this project protect business and residents affected by lack of maintenance and flooding caused by Lawson Creek or Cypress Creek? In the Urban Systems report (May 2017) they say, “only moderate deficiencies appear for the (five) natural creek sections but are elevated where there has been extensive encroachment by property owners with retaining walls or other structures”.
WHY HASN’T THE COMMUNITY BEEN CONSULTED? – “The District has an obligation to construct and maintain this required infrastructure. It is not an option and it does not require public input”. The District says, “this project has been public and under development for the past 10 years”.
So there you have it. The District has been derelict in its obligation to protect residents and, by calling the Five Creeks Diversion Project an infrastructure project; it does not require public consultation.
This affects every resident of West Vancouver. Every taxpayer is contributing 6.25 million dollars to a project that is to the sole benefit of British Pacific Properties.
This project has never been public. It is NOW! Would you approve the project or does it need public consultation.
BPP, the “other owners” and the District entered into a Phased Development Agreement (“PDA”) dated September 9, 2008, which provides, among other things, that BPP and the other owners must prepare integrated stormwater management plans (the “RC ISMP”) for Pipe, Westmont and Cave watershed prior to developing any portion of the Rodgers Creek Lands lying within the watershed in which development would occur and construct to the satisfaction of the District all works required solely to mitigate the impacts of development of the Rodgers Creek Lands.
In anticipation of potential future development west of the Rodgers Creek Lands, British Pacific Properties, at its sole cost, expanded the scope of the RC ISMP to include the Godman and Turner Creek watershed to the west of the Rodgers Creek Lands.
BPP and the “other owners” wish to construct and install the Stormwater Diversion Works as defined in this Agreement for the purpose of mitigating the impacts associated with the proposed development of the Rodgers Creek Lands. Furthermore, BPP wishes to construct and install the Stormwater Diversion Works for the further purpose of mitigating the impacts associated with the potential future development of BPP owned lands west of the Rodgers Creek Lands
A MESSAGE FROM MAYOR AND COUNCIL – “It’s a major project to protect the community from the impacts of climate change. Council must always ensure the safety of the community above all else, especially in the face of threats caused by climate change”.
Is this project about climate change or does it facilitate future development? Developers are required to “manage water” on their sites as a part of their costs so why doesn’t this same requirement apply to BPP.
How does this project protect business and residents affected by lack of maintenance and flooding caused by Lawson Creek or Cypress Creek? In the Urban Systems report (May 2017) they say, “only moderate deficiencies appear for the (five) natural creek sections but are elevated where there has been extensive encroachment by property owners with retaining walls or other structures”.
WHY HASN’T THE COMMUNITY BEEN CONSULTED? – “The District has an obligation to construct and maintain this required infrastructure. It is not an option and it does not require public input”. The District says, “this project has been public and under development for the past 10 years”.
So there you have it. The District has been derelict in its obligation to protect residents and, by calling the Five Creeks Diversion Project an infrastructure project; it does not require public consultation.
This affects every resident of West Vancouver. Every taxpayer is contributing 6.25 million dollars to a project that is to the sole benefit of British Pacific Properties.
This project has never been public. It is NOW! Would you approve the project or does it need public consultation.
