Boys and Girls Club open to selling land to conservation group; Sierra Club interested timescolonist.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from timescolonist.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The portion earmarked for sale is already zoned for a residential subdivision that would allow eight five-acre lots. The proposal can bypass council and go directly to the municipality’s chief administrative officer for approval. It isn’t immediately clear when that might happen. In a letter to Boys & Girls Club Foundation president Rebecca Lang, Metchosin Mayor John Ranns said while subdivision of the property is permitted under the district’s land-use bylaw, council “feels strongly” that the property should remain as one parcel, protected by a covenant. Ranns encouraged the club to explore opportunities for partnerships with the Metchosin Foundation, which works to protect and sustain natural habitats, and initiate steps toward the preservation of the 40-acre parcel and a pond on the property.
Metchosin’s mayor expressed disappointment, citing thousands of dollars in tax relief for the organization over the years. Area residents say the sale eliminates green space and undermines what they believe was a long-time understanding that the land, which contains a conifer forest, Garry oak meadows and a pond, would remain in its natural state. The Boys and Girls Club has used the property for young-offender programs, adventure camps for youth and family outreach services since 1984. It acquired the 98 acres from the provincial government in 2004 for $1.63 million. The assessed value of the property in 2002 was $1.1 million, including land and buildings.
The Boys and Girls Club of Victoria is now considering the development of a 40-acre portion. The area is already zoned for that purpose and Mayor John Ranns has said in the past that a subdivision proposal can bypass council and go directly to the municipality’s chief administration officer for approval. Ranns did not immediately return calls, but told other media that he’s “quite pissed off.” Metchosin resident Jay Shukin called the subdivision plan a “big, big disappointment,” adding the club has been given $300,000 in property-tax exemptions from the municipality over the last 10 years. “These lands were originally obtained from the provincial government under very favourable terms. When the transfer of Crown land occurred, it was perceived by local residents that these lands would be kept for an enduring public benefit, specifically, outdoor youth recreation and education programs.”