On December 9th the Council for Pilgrim United Church heard an official report from our Land Use Task Force (formed at the Annual Meeting on Feb. 17, 2008). In this report, the Task Force offered their vision of how we are being called by Christ to use the property we have inherited to its best potential. As Christians we are called to offer all we are and all we have towards God's dream for Creation (including humanity). In this time we are being asked to consider what is the best way for us to use this particular resource in Christ's name.
At its December meeting Council endorsed theTask Force's vision. Now the conversation widens to include the whole of the congregation. There will be opportunities to discuss this more formally, but please feel free to talk to members of Council or the Task Force at any point.
You will find below the report and recommendation which Council has approved.
Peace!
Ed
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Goal: To provide affordable housing - meaning safe, clean, decent housing for low income people with an emphasis on single parent families.
Contacts to date:
Jon Munn - City of Colwood Planner
Doug Goodwin - Executive Secretary of BC Conference
Henry Kamphof - CRD Housing Secretariat
Peggy Wilmot - Faith in Action
Jim Bennett - CRD Housing Action team, for the Real Estate Board
Land: [Edited - EdC :)] This vision includes both the Painter Road property, and the lot and house beside it on Metchosin Road.
Potential Scope: The Land Use Task Force has outlined three approaches and, having presented this report to council, would now like the congregation's approval in order to move ahead with a feasibility study to be financed by CMHC.
Direction as to what development might be pursued will be determined at an appropriately called congregational meeting once the feasibility study is completed.
The development options currently being considered are: (1) to develop 6 to 10 units on the side property; (2) to include a portion of the Painter Road property, and thus obtain 12 or more units; and (3) to develop the total property which would require extensive zoning changes but would provide many more units including a new church facility to be shared, similar to the McClure United Church and Residence in Winnipeg. A feasibility study might present other options as well.
Moving Ahead: The LUTF would like to obtain agreement in principle from the Congregation to proceed.
- Funding for a feasibility study is being pursued through CMHC, the results of which should be known shortly.
- Consultation with Doug Goodwin, Executive Secretary of BC Conference, regarding the inclusion of both properties in this proposal is in process.
- LUTF would like to have informed and informal discussions with members of the congregation in the weeks preceding the 2009 Annual General Meeting [which takes place on Feb. 8 after worship -- Ed] with the expectation of a motion being put forward at the AGM for the task force to carry on until the feasibility study is completed.
The members of the Land Use Task Force are: Elaine Hooper (chair); David Stocks; Bob French; Arnold McCutcheon; Pat Ridgers; Ross Walker. Please feel free to contact any members, and to ask any questions that you may have.
[Contact phone #'s are posted on the bulletin board in the upstairs hallway at the Painter Road building. -- Ed]
It is understood that any new development would require appropriate funding assured through provincial or federal funding sources.
