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Pheasant Glen: Follow the process

Town council agreed to start the process to consider zoning Changes for Pheasant Glen Golf Resort

Monday evening at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre, town council agreed to start the process to consider zoning Changes for Pheasant Glen Golf Resort’s (PGGR) latest development plans.

Contrary to what some PGGR supporters have demanded — that council just go ahead and make the changes — the process was explained in detail by representatives of the Regional District of Nanaimo and Luke Sales, the town’s director of planning.

The process (Regional Growth Strategy, Growth Containment Boundary and Official Community Plan), can’t simply be by-passed, as we’re dealing with the law of the land, and laws are created for good reasons, and once they disappear, we all know what happens, it’s ‘Hunger Games’ all over again where courtesy and fair play fly out the door.

Put another way, it would be like a group of PGGR members arriving for their booked tee time, but encountering another group of offensive and rude players who’ve bullied their way ahead of them.

No matter how strong the support for, or against, this current proposal, there is a due process that must be followed and everyone will have the opportunity to voice their opinion, again. Back in 2005, PGGR asked for zoning changes for another resort development with detailed plans for which the town spent a great deal of time and taxpayers’ money, and did in fact grant the requested change. However, PGGR did nothing with those zoning changes, not even a new clubhouse for their members.

So back they come again for yet more zoning changes, but this time all PGGR has provided are two conceptual drawings, some sizable, but unsubstantiated figures about development cost charges, taxes, construction dollars and wages.

This approach reminds me of Nancy Pelosi’s infamous take on ObamaCare: “First you have to pass it, then you’ll find out what’s in it” and look at the horrendous legal ramifications, costs and divisive wrangling that was created.

Deb McKinley

Qualicum Beach