THE COLWOOD CONNECTION MARCH 1996
ADMINISTRATION & MUNICIPAL CLERK 478-5541
ENGINEERING & BUILDING INSPECTION 478-5999
FINANCE & PROPERTY TAXES 478-5530
FIRE PROTECTION & ENQUIRIES 478-8321
PLANNING AND ZONING 478-5590
PUBLIC WORKS 474-4133
EMERGENCY - PUBLIC WORKS 389-8633
......after 4:30 p.m.
EMERGENCY PROGRAM COORDINATOR 478-0172
NOW ON FREENET - ====> go colwood
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SPRING HOUSEHOLD CLEAN-UP PROGRAM
For 1996, the City of Colwood will continue with the Spring Household
Clean-Up Program format used in 1995, a drop-off program utilizing
three large bins at the Public Works Yard. A Colwood employee will be
available to assist in loading of the material into the bins. This
service is provided for City of Colwood residents only and
identification will be requested. The times for the drop-off program
are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 20th, 1996 and from
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, April 22nd, to Saturday, April 27th,
1996.
...MATERIALS WHICH MAY BE DROPPED OFF:
Appliances, asphalt shingles (a bag or two, but not a truck load),
automotive batteries, automotive parts, barrels, bathtubs, bikes,
branches, bricks, cardboard, carpet, clothing, compost, concrete
blocks, fridges, freezers, furniture, glass, grass clippings,
hot water tanks, household garbage, lumber, rims, rocks, sinks,
sports equipment, stoves, tires, toilets, underlay, wood waste.
...MATERIALS WHICH MAY NOT BE DROPPED OFF:
Drywall, gypsum board (both are accepted by Alpine Disposal),
oil (accepted by Canadian Tire), paint (may be taken to Cubbons or
Home Hardware), propane tanks (Hartland Land Fill).
Reminder: There is no door to door collection of materials for the
Spring Clean-Up Program. Any questions in this regard should be
referred to City Hall, Engineering Department. 478-5999
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THE COMMUNITY POLICING ADVISORY COMMITTEE is made up of citizens
representing a cross section of the community, i.e. service groups,
seniors, Chamber of Commerce, First Nations, school student
representatives, municipalities.
Come and find out what police-based services are available to you in
the community; ask questions and share concerns.
OPEN HOUSE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13TH, 1996
2:00 P.M. TO 9:00 P.M.
JUAN DE FUCA SENIORS CENTRE
BE INVOLVED!
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VICTIM SERVICES NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
The RCMP co-ordinates a service which provides assistance to victims.
If you, or anyone you know, are interested in training, please contact
Constable Barb Alexander, Western Communities RCMP, at 474-2264.
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FROM OUR RECYCLING COORDINATOR:
... MR. ED PAQUETTE ...
EVENTS TO NOTE ON YOUR CALENDAR:
1. March 1st to 3rd - Home Show - Memorial Arena
2. April 21s - Earth Day
3. April 27th and 28th - Island Kids Trade Show at
Juan de Fuca Arena
4. May 6th to 12th - National Compost Awareness Week
5. May 14th and 15th - Trends Exhibit
6. Environment Week - 1st week of June
Each of these events will feature displays and/or information concerning
waste reduction and recycling. As well, please don't forget the
CRD Hotline at 360-3030 for information on these and other related matters.
REMEMBER:
Taking your recyclable materials to the curb every two weeks in your
blue box is neither the start nor the end of your responsibility to
reduce waste. It is important to first seek out products that do not
contribute to the waste stream. Items which use minimal packaging or
recyclable packing are your best options. Then it is important to use
products that are made using recycled materials and to patronize
merchants and manufacturers who are contributing to our collective
effort. You can usually recognize products which are made using
recycled materials by the recycled symbol.
REMINDER:
As we approach spring and summer, now might be a good time to pull
out the old hammer and saw and put together that composting bin.
If you need some advice concerning the many varieties of bins, or
on the construction of a compost bin, call (386-9676) or visit the
Compost Education Centre at 1216 North Park Street. Hours commencing
April 1st are Tuesday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Sunday
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS: Coordinator, Jim Durance 478-0172
A major disaster can happen to any of us, any time. We are not only
referring to a large earthquake, but to many of the other hazards
that we hear about too frequently. Colwood's emergency plan usually
refers to the major earthquake scenario, but we are also ready for
lesser evils too.
Then, along with all our planning, comes reality. Once the residents
have survived the disaster, they must follow a personal response plan,
then get themselves to the help we have set up. Our earlier Emergency
Planning Seminars have been well received, and we are going to have
more. Everyone must be prepared to be on his/her own for up to three
days. You must be prepared for a total lack of services (telephone,
hydro, water) and virtually 'camp out' for a short while. There is a
short list of simple, very low cost ideas for you to consider. Ideas
that would make your ultimate survival much more pleasant, and less
stressful. When you think about all the incidents that could happen
and cause you to be evacuated from your home, you get an idea of what
we are talking about.
Do you know where to evacuate to?
Is your personal evacuation kit ready?
Who in your neighbourhood knows first aid?
What are you going to do about water?
How can you tell if your home is still 'habitable'?
How do I get the kids from school?
Any plan, to look after 13,500 people in emergency conditions, will
take many willing volunteers. If you want to be a part of the
recovery process, call the Emergency Planning Coordinator at 478-0172.
Our next awareness seminar will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday
(March 27th) and Thursday (March 28th)at City Hall. It is open to
the whole family and takes about 2 hours.
Phone City Hall at 478-5541 and reserve seating for the evening of
to 60 for each night. Plan to come, take notes, get handouts, get
peace of mind.
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1996 Census - What you Should Know....
* Tuesday, May 14th, 1996, is Census Day.
* Every person living in Canada, including those on visas or claiming
refugee status, must be counted.
* For each person missed in B.C. and the Yukon, federal transfer
payments for health care, postsecondary education, and social services
are lost.
* By law, all census information is strictly confidential and not
available to any unauthorized person.
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SEWERS:
Construction of Colwood Corners Sanitary Sewer System is now underway.
This project and the Capital Regional District Trunk Sewer through
Colwood to Langford are both on schedule, and it is expected that
Colwood's system will be operational in the Spring of 1997.
These projects are two-thirds funded by the Senior Governments,
Federal and Provincial, with the remaining 1/3 funding from taxes
levied to the Colwood specified sewer areas.
A proposal to extend a trunk sewer into Colwood from the Capital
Regional District trunk sewer is presently being reviewed by staff.
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PRODUCER'S PIT - ROYAL BAY PLAN
The City of Colwood is presently reviewing a comprehensive
development plan submitted with regard to the Producer's Pit
gravel pit. The owners are seeking an amendment to the Official
Community Plan to further the planning of what is presently a gravel
pit, but which should be depleted in 5 to 15 years. The plan
proposes a new community to be home for between 6,400 and 7,500
residents living in approximately 2,800 hundred homes. It will be
home to people with a range of incomes, ages, and lifestyles.
There will be a village centre with a plaza promenade near to the
waterfront to provide an opportunity for a range of shops, businesses,
and professional services. There will be a 7.5 kilometer perimeter
greenway incorporating several environmentally sensitive areas.
A 1.8 kilometer waterfront park would be a feature of the community.
There would be a number of smaller, local parks and connecting
greenways. Two school sites would be provided. The community will
not happen all at once, but rather in three main phases over at
least a 15 year period.
Council has approved a 13 step review process for this proposal.
It is expected that the proposal will be considered at the Committee
of the Whole Meeting scheduled for Monday, March 18th, at 7:00 p.m.
If you would like to attend the meeting at which the proposal is
considered, you may wish to confirm the date by contacting the
Planning Department at 478-5590.
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COLWOOD CORNERS / BELMONT ROAD PLANNING AND DESIGN GUIDELINES
As part of the Official Community Plan process, the City of Colwood
is reviewing planning and design guidelines for Colwood Corners,
and producing a local area plan for the Belmont Road area. This
review will update the Colwood Corners Local Area Plan, produced
in 1991, and will include detailed planning and design guidelines.
The Belmont Road area currently does not have a local area plan,
and the study will prepare land use designations and planning and
design guidelines for the area.
A public open house was held in December to review preliminary
planning and design options, prepared by Bill Lipsey Architect and
CitySpaces Consulting Ltd. The public comments received have helped
to refine the planning and design options, and a public open house
is scheduled to be held on:
TUESDAY, MARCH 26TH, 1996 4:00 P.M. TO 8:00 P.M.
IN THE COMMITTEE ROOM AT CITY HALL
Please come and see the planning and design proposals for these areas!
If you have any questions or comments, please contact the Planning
Department at 478-5590.
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COLWOOD CONNECTS WITH G.V.P.L.
We are pleased to report the residents of Colwood have discovered the
Greater Victoria Public Library - and obviously like what they see!
In the less-than-2 months since becoming eligible for service, over
2,200 residents have become GVPL cardholders, representing almost 50%
of the 4,600 new members from the Western Communities. In the first
2 weeks of service at Royal Roads, Colwood residents borrowed 6,645
items. People from Colwood have also contributed to a 22% increase
in use of the Central Library on Broughton Street, as well as a 15%
increase in borrowing at the branch in Saanich Commonwealth Place,
where they offer Sunday service.
The interim service at Royal Roads offers the latest in library
technology. They have four computers with high speed lines, for the
public to access GVPL's holdings and place reserves, as well as a
Freenet terminal offering e-mail and limited Internet capabilities.
There are also two Apple multimedia workstations offering a variety
of products on CD-ROM. Our community has also contributed to a 16%
increase in the number of people who dial-in, from a computer and
modem, to search our catalogue and place reserves. In fact, the
enthusiasm show by the Western Communities in using technology has
caused GVPL to accelerate some of its plans. In September, the
library hopes to introduce a circulating collection of CD-ROM
products - almost a year ahead of schedule.
The Saturday morning storytimes at Royal Roads have proven popular,
and are fully booked. Children's materials in general account for
40% of what is being borrowed at this location. In March, the
library will be extending their service to the homebound, to
include residents of the Western Communities. They will be assisted
in doing this by volunteers from the Western Communities. For
information on any of the library services at Royal Roads, you can
call 391-0653.
Sandra Anderson, Chief Librarian, GVPL, would be pleased to hear
from you with suggestions as to how they can improve service to our
community. She can be reached at 384-5222 or, via e-mail at:
sandra@gvpl.victoria.bc.ca
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NOTICE TO RESIDENTS
BURNING RESTRICTED - MARCH 1ST TO OCTOBER 31ST
As per Bylaw 189 and amending Bylaw 308
* No Burning (open or incinerator) is permitted March 1st to
October 31st inclusive.
* Beach Fires are allowed with a permit; available at the Colwood
Fire Station.
The City and its Fire Department asks for your cooperation, and
remember to reduce, reuse and recycle to help promote a healthy
and clean community. Should you have a concern, or require further
information, contact 478-8321; after hours - 389-7191.
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