January 27, 2020
Dear Member and Friends of Pheasant Glen,
On Wednesday January 15, at 3:30 pm the Town of Qualicum Beach held a public hearing regarding the subdivision of the existing development lands already zoned for resort development from the golf course.
At the Council meeting following the public hearing, council passed third reading and adopted the bylaw approving the subdivision of the golf course from the zoned development land. This ensures the separation of the golf operations from any future Resort Strata Council’s jurisdiction. We first asked for this subdivision in 2007 and are greatly encouraged by the support of the council for this long overdue subdivision bylaw.
We thank each of you for your support of Pheasant Glen. Over 100 emails were sent to the council during a one-day window. Some members of council mentioned this support as decisive during the debate and in their decision to adopt the bylaw immediately rather than waiting until the next council meeting in February.
We are particularly grateful for the outstanding presentations to council by friends of Pheasant Glen Mr. Bill Klein, on behalf of Golf Canada, and Mr. Butch Gayton speaking of the Pheasant Glen High School and Junior golf programs in the communities of Parksville and Qualicum Beach. Mr. Klein pointed out that, according to Golf Canada’s analysis, each National or Provincial tournament hosted by PG brings an economic benefit of $500,000 to the area. Pheasant Glen Manager and Professional Gord Melissa did an excellent job of describing the community benefits of the Elite Junior Program, including revenue to School District 69. We also thank the friends of PG who braved the nasty weather and deep snow to attend the public hearing and the Council meeting. Your attendance was a powerful signal to council that the community supports the development at Pheasant Glen.
The bylaw passed by a 4 to 1 vote. Only Councilor Adam Walker spoke against the bylaw and he voted against it.
Westbroek, Harrison, Filmer, and Wiese voted in favour and spoke positively about the future of golf in the community and the resort. We look forward to a great 2020 and to hosting the Canadian Men’s Senior Golf Championship in September.
We asked that you write to urge Council to do the right thing and they did. So we have written a thank you message to please email to the council.
Since the passage of this bylaw, we have sent a letter to local contractors asking for bids on the immediate installation of town water servicing, Fortis natural gas and power to the development property. That project will begin in the next few weeks. We have also retained JE Anderson and have a preliminary plan for sewer services, which we are discussing with the town Engineer. We hope to begin this spring.
We look forward to seeing you on the golf course and thanks again.
Sincerely,
Bill and Craig Dutton
