At the November 22nd meeting, the SRD board approved a report to explore the possibility of using Cortes Island’s gas tax reserve to help build the access road into the Rainbow Ridge Affordable Housing project.
“It’s really great to see the SRD jumping in to work on housing using all the different tools that they have access to. This was led by our Regional Director, Mark Vonesch, who brought this to the SRD board. What was approved at this point is the request to have staff work on a report,” explained Sadhu Johnson, Executive Director of the Cortes Community Housing Society.
“We’ve applied to the SRD to use the Gas Tax Funds for the first phase of that road. That won’t get us to the full construction level that’s required by the Ministry of Transportation, but it does get us to a point that we can use it for construction, and so we can fully access that site.”
The SRD Board passed the necessary resolutions in a little over a minute.
Chair Mark Baker has introduced a note of levity into the board meetings. He was still chucking from the previous item when the following clip begins, but surpressed it to announce, “Request for financial assistance Cortes Housing Society, that the report from the CEO be received.”
“Move receipt,” responded Cortes Island Director Mark Vonesch.
“Second,” added Reginal Director Robyn Mawhinney, of Area C.
Chair Baker continued, “Director Vonesch, Director Mawhinney. Discussion? … All in favor … Opposed. Seeing none. Carried.”
“Electorial areas only. That a report be prepared regarding the use of Electoral Area B Gas Tax Reserve Fund to assist in the cost of building a road infrastructure by Cortes Housing Society.”
Director Vonesch: “So moved.”
Regional Director Gerald Whalley: “Second.”
Chair Baker: “Director Vonesch. Director – sorry you didn’t have your microphone on, I was having a problem hearing – Director Whalley.
Discussion? … All in favor? … Opposed? … Seeing none, motion is carried.”
Cortes Currents: So what happens next?
Sadhu Johnston: ”Staff will now evaluate the proposal, make sure that $140,000 will indeed get us where we need to go. It’s 120 meters long and we’ll dig down 525 millimetres. We’ll put a gravel base on it and then we’ll put a sub base layer on it. That will allow us to use the road, including the drainage on the sides. The $140,000 would get us to a place where we could have construction access and whatnot. It doesn’t get us the pavement on the top, which would be the final part of the project. Residents could access it, but getting it to the finished product will be part of our full construction cost.”
Cortes Currents: You’re talking about pavement, but the SRD mentioned chip seal, which I understand is cheaper.
Sadhu Johnston: “We’re looking into chip seal as well. What will meet the Ministry of Transportation standards? That’s not a full pavement, like we see on the rest of the roads, it’s gravel mixed with asphalt.”
Cortes Currents: Now that the SRD has decided to carry out a study, does that mean seem likely they will build the road?
Sadhu Johnston: “I don’t know. I think it’s a good proposal. The gas tax is intended to be used for infrastructure. So I think it aligns pretty well for that.”
“Assuming that this is funded by the SRD, this also makes our BC Housing application more competitive and that’s one of the key elements here. We’re competing for the BC Housing funding with projects all over the province. Many of those projects are in environments that don’t require the construction of a road to access the site. So for us to have a road that’s ready to go for construction makes our proposal to BC Housing more competitive.”
“I think it’s a really creative way of the SRD using their resources to support housing development. When you’re building in a more rural setting like Cortes, you need to build a road to get to your site. You need to build sewers, septic systems and water systems. You need to bring in hydroelectricity. There’s a lot of additional costs that go into building a project here that you don’t have in Campbell River, Nanaimo or other more urban environments. So for the SRD to be working so creatively to support housing with all their different tools is really exemplary.”
“I’m very encouraged by the way that the SRD is looking to address the housing challenges in our region. You need a housing society like we have with a dedicated board and community support in order to have an impact, but you also really need regional collaboration and support.”
The SRD is:
- Looking at using the gas tax to help build the road,
- Using their resources to create a Regional Housing Authority, which can help with borrowing
- Supporting the imposition of a 3% tax on short term rentals, “which is the first time that’s been done.”
Sadhu Johnston: ”The SRD is taking a lot of action and it’s really great to see. They’re an important partner for us to succeed in addressing housing on Cortes.”
Top image credit: Proposed access Road to Rainbow Ridge – courtesy SRD staff report
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