Cumberland Matters

01/08/2022

OK, so if you are going to build on this complicated piece of land, where should you build? We're going to look at topography (lay of the land) and hydrology (water flow). I have included some overview maps so you can get an idea of the location. The first map shows the 40 acres in question circled in red. The second map zooms in on the area. You cannot build on land steeper than 30 degrees says the OCP. All of the dotted areas are steep, ranging from 30 to nearly 90 degrees. You cannot build on designated park. All of the areas in green are parkland. BTW, don't think about soccer fields in these parks. They are natural areas containing walking paths, cliffs, wetlands and the ravine and must be preserved as such. Note that the southwest portion of the property is bounded such that there is only one way in and out.
Now we'll take a look at water. The next image has a lot of lines, so hang in there. The red line cutting diagonally across the picture is a watershed boundary. The blue arrows show the approximate flow of water. The southwest part runs into wetlands, Perseverance creek and ultimately into Comox Lake. The Northeast runs into the ravine, then wetlands, the Trent river and the estuary. The big yellowish blob in the left center is wet forest. This is important, as wet forest absorbs hundreds of thousands of gallons of rainwater, slowing it down as it enters the wetlands. The various green dots are ephemeral (temporary) wetlands and permanent sedge wetlands.
Knowing all of this is important because if you're going to build houses here you have to take into account the topography and hydrology. And the biology and the natural history and and and... Not an easy place to build.
Tomorrow I will show you a proposed design that my daughter architect Sara Petrenko and I have come up with, showing what you could build if you are going to try and create a walkable, inclusive, diverse, livable neighborhood. A neighborhood of the future that looks remarkable like a neighborhood of the past.
BTW, this is for you, the residents of Cumberland. I realize I am merely the fly on the back of the elephant that is the Cumberland Development Machine. They only way what I write here will have any effect at all is if you decide that it's time for a change.
Stay tuned.

01/07/2022

Whats the matter with suburbs? Since 1945 suburbs have exemplified the goal of home ownership. Big houses, big lots, away from the city, away from ... just about everything. Built for cars. So what's wrong with that? How about: a barren streetscape of garage doors, dangerous wide streets that encourage speeding, isolation from jobs, shopping, civic centers. Suburbs have basically drained the vitality and dollars from cities and are doing so in Cumberland today. Take a look at the most recent subdivisions. Sidewalks you don't want to walk on because they go nowhere, little connection to the actual village of Cumberland. Sprawling, repetitive, forgettable. Not to mention no place for kids to play.
It's time to step back and reexamine our dedication to and support of these ways of living. Builders will tell you they only build what people want. Is this what you want? This is what's called a Hobson's Choice. It's no choice at all.
Frankly, the 40 acres of Ravine land in Cumberland shouldn't be built on at all. It's a hydrologically complicated, inaccessible corner filled with sandstone cliffs. wetlands and wet forests.
But for a moment let's imagine that we're going to go ahead and build anyway. And let's imagine that we're not going to do it the old way; blast, level, ditch and drain, but the new way: adapt the plan to the site, build as though the land mattered and our goal was not to wrestle it into submission but to acknowledge the landforms and work with them to create human habitation that not only respects the earth but results in a pleasant, human centric habitation for all the artists and mechanics and doctors and musicians and carpenters and clerks and nurses ... all of us.
So here's my audacious proposal. Say no. Say no until we can have a plan for the new development that turns it's back on suburbia and faces forward to the next 100 years in our beloved little village.
Tomorrow I'm going to show you a possible future. Together we can envision a development that brings workplace, shopping and habitation together. A development that connects the new Cumberland with the old, provides space for kids to play, places for long cool leafy walks in the forest and allows the rain to filter naturally to the protected wetlands.
Stay tuned.
BTW, you might ask why I'm doing this. I won't run for office, I don't have any interest, monetary or otherwise in Cumberland development. I have lived here 12 years, worked on the Official Community Plan (OCP), and promoted wetlands. I simply love this place and I know you do too.

12/20/2018

Cumberland awarded $5.7m for wastewater treatment

Investing in green infrastructure helps communities reduce their carbon footprint, safeguard public health and protect the environment.

10/31/2018

The Council election recount has confirmed Sean Sullivan came 4th and Roger Kishi 5th.

New totals were 603 to 598 and 2 ballots were rejected.

10/30/2018

Report on the forthcoming recount for Cumberland Council.

CUMBERLAND, B.C- Roger Kishi could be re-elected tomorrow. Kishi, who had lost his Cumberland village council seat by two votes in the ... more ›

10/21/2018

Cumberland’s new council, and school district trustee

10/21/2018

Cumberland Results in Detail:
Results are preliminary. Official results on Wednesday (in case of challenge)

Mayor:

Leslie Baird: 1138 votes - ELECTED
Eduardo Uranga: 229

Council:

Vickey Brown: 883 - ELECTED
Jesse Anne Ketler: 839 - ELECTED
Gwyn Sproule: 763 - ELECTED
Sean Sullivan: 602 - ELECTED
Roger Kishi: 600
Ian McLean: 536
Eric Krejci: 480

Wastewater Referendum:

Yes: 1011 - APPROVED
No 363

Turnout:

48%
1389 of 2891 estimated electors

10/21/2018

Cumberland Results:

Mayor:

Leslie Baird

Council:

Vickey Brown
Jesse Anne Ketler
Gwyn Sproule
Sean Sullivan

Wastewater Referendum:

Yes

10/21/2018

Election Results:

Mayor: Leslie Baird

10/20/2018

Hey Cumberland - we'll be posting the Election results here just as soon as they are announced tonight

10/20/2018

QOTD: Have You VOTED?! Ask yourself, ask your friends, ask people you meet out in town. It's a beautiful day out there, take a walk or a drive to the Cultural Centre and cast your vote. Invite a neighbour along.

10/19/2018

QOTD: Climate change is both the challenge and the opportunity of the century. As we have seen from Sandra Hamilton’s social procurement model, the municipality can be more important than the provincial and federal government to ensure local benefits for our Village. The same case goes for abating climate change. Would councillors support the municipality requiring builders to meet at least step 3, 4 or 5 of the new 2017 BC Building Code which requires all new homes to be net zero by 2032? This will be a very important step we can take towards decarbonizing the housing sector. asks Rider Petch

10/17/2018

A quick note from Elect Eric Krejci about our QOTD series: "At this time I do not have a formal face book account so I am a little tardy on getting these questions answered. If I am given the privilege to represent the people of Cumberland I will set up a Face Book account as it will make me more accessible"

10/17/2018

QOTD: Would you support the changes to the Development Procedure and Fees Bylaw which cancels the requirement for the developer to have a neighbourhood meeting BEFORE going to Council? asks Kathryn Greening

10/16/2018

QOTD: Do candidates think Village community engagement is sufficient and if not what improvements would they suggest? asks Ken Barth

10/15/2018

QOTD: Do the candidates support a new purpose built recreation facility to replace the current Cumberland recreation centre? asks Mike Tunnah

10/14/2018

QOTD #3. How can we ensure future development in Cumberland is sensible? ie. avoiding fast food restaurants, strip malls and clear cuts with houses too close? I’m terrified Cumberland is going to turn in to a big suburb....says Jennifer Coulombe.

10/13/2018

Advance voting today until 8pm

On Wednesday, October 10 and Saturday, October 13, 2018 at the Cumberland Council Chambers.