Citizens' Forum on Public Policy

Three sites were identified in previous reports as being suitable for potential development.

• The sites are located between 2 and 5 Km north of the Village of Cumberland along Bevan Road.
• Site 3 is approximately 4 Km SW of the City of Courtenay.
• The three sites lie on an upland plateau that has scenic vistas to the NW over looking the Comox Valley and the Puntledge River Estuary.
• The sites are located within the upland of an extensive glaciofluvial terrace extending from Comox Lake to Maple Lake.
• The area is relatively flat with a surface elevation ranging from approximately 163 metres near the south end of site 2 to approximately 151 metres near the west end of site 3.
• Average elevation is 156 metres.
• Site 1 (easternmost area) is defined to the north by a steep, heavily treed and vegetated escarpment and to the northwest and southwest by Hancock Timber license permits.
• Site 2 is a relatively flat area directly to the north of the Pidgeon Lake Landfill and west of Bevan Road. The top of the slope at the edge of the upland area defines the western border.
• Site 3 (westernmost site) is defined by Bevan Road to the east, and Lake Trail Road to the north and the west.

Design Goals

Create a Forest Related Value Added Village

• Plan an Integrated, multi-use centre including:
• Full "forest to market" facilities.
• Primary wood processing.
• Secondary manufacturing.
• Tertial / value added manufacturing.
• Industrial areas.
• Wholesale and retail spaces.
• Residential use associated with enterprises. (love / work security units)
• An administrative and education centre.

• Maximize affordability for users.
• Plan with sensitivity to industrial economics.
• Provide a variety of parcel sizes.
• Consider possibilities of parcel ownership.
• Ensure expansion area for future growth.

• Maximize transportation efficiency.
• Provide good access to regional roads and to Inland Island Highway.
• Plan internal traffic patterns to reduce requirements for trucking.
• Look into transportation efficiency using rail or other modes.

• Use eco-design principles in planning and designing roads and landscapes.
• Surfaces and structures
• Implement ISO 14000 development standards.
• Provide for 100% storm water management on site.
• Utilize alternative energy sources.
• Mitigate effects of pollution. Ie: air, light, noise and water. [Earth Wind and Fire!]
• Protect wildlife habitat.
• Provide recreation and wildlife corridors.

Proposed Development Program

Working with industry experts, a development program was created to:

• Serve the needs of the industry and the community.
• Contribute to its global competitiveness.
• Provide for future expansion.

• Log sorts.
• Large, medium and small saw milling operations.
• Kilns
• Planers and shapers
• Manufacturers such as:
• Furniture makers.
• Canoe makers
• Sash & door makers.
• Wood flooring producers.
• Wood veneer makers.
• Speciality wood products.
• Wood Guild.
• Artists & artisans
• Village Centre including:
• An administrative centre with a board room.
• Office / cyber space.
• A forestry library.
• A training facility.
• Various retail sites / showrooms.
• Cafes and/or cafeteria.
• Live / work studios.
• Silvaculture
• Botanical Research.

• Various combinations of 2 - 20 acre sites and a village core or centre.

• Protect view qualities to and from site.
• Build beautiful places.
• Establish a consistent design theme.
• Promote a village character using pedestrian scale at village core.
• Buffer adjacent uses with landscaping.
• Bury electrical and servicing lines.