04/10/2006: "Myhr Reports To CC On Islands Trust Forum"

ig_Bob_Myhr-1 (35k image) (Bob Myhr)
County Councilman Bob Myhr recently attended a forum in Duncan B.C. that was held to discuss management options related to tourism, including options to "enhance community understanding about the ability of local governments to address tourism topics".

The Forum was sponsored by The Island Trust, which was started in 1974 by the government of B.C. to protect the "unique part of the world" comprised of the islands in the Strait of Georgia and Howe Sound. while not an official part of the Trust, SJC has a history of participating and cooperating with the Trust.

Councilman Myhr reported that the topics of concern for the Trust could just as well be a description of issues in San Juan County. A reading of an official statement of one of the challenges facing the Islands Trust Area gives a good example of Myhr's point: "The big attraction is the rural and unspoiled nature of the Gulf Islands yet, ironically, these are the very aspects being threatened by development pressures. Local Islands Trust bylaws are designed to balance the needs of the human and natural environments."; but he also reported back to the Council that there were some factual surprises that differ from those found in SJ County.

Councilman Myhr reported the following:

Notes to The County Council by Councilman Myhr:

SUMMARY OF ISLANDS TRUST FORUM, DUNCAN BC, MAR 30-31,2006

Stimulating Keynote By Mayor Of Whistler:

● strong conservation ethic in 10,000 populace
● 75% of employees live in whistler - 4,000m units
● housing - permanently affordable for employees
● must rent condos (cold beds)(not build more)
● 50,000 motel beds - moratorium on more; must rent cold beds
● land use major issue - all about growth
● that translates to 80% say it's about environment.
● extensive planning - vision to 2060! • priorities - set by community
● enrich community life
● enhance the experience
● protect the environment
● maintain economic viability
● partner with private and public for success
● downzone to protect environment, concentrate growth
● measure growth in bed units
● be in the 20% club: fossil free recreation; 100% water meters; all low-flow facilities; trail easements
● $30 mm/year budget
● 2% tax raises $4mm; 1/8th or $.5mm for information, rest for support of tourism infrastructure; business pays dues
● looking to 2010

Issues In The Gulf Islands

● STVR - Short Term Vacation Rental is one of the most serious problems - (28 days only, and enforced in Whistler)
● varies from island to island
● no promotion discussed, but rather facilities and mitigation
● education and planning
● plan for fire disaster
● each island has its own plan
● create tourism vision
● poll visitors for information on their experience
● issue really is tourism in residential communities
● about 10 years behind where we are, but ahead in planning
● same shoulder season issue and little success with it