Marcgh 17, 2012 - Updates

Things have been progressing behind the scenes, but nothing much to be updated to the membership. However some new things you might be interested in are:

1. We have a presence on facebook now

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-of-McIntryre-Creek/274419815927266

2. We are working on a web page, and will let you know when it is up and running. If you have any suggestions or ideas of what you would like to see on the web, please send us an email at

friendsofmcintyre@gmail.com

with Web Suggestions as the subject matter.

3. The Takhini Association community group that are also interested in protecting middle McIntyre Creek from development, have printed some bumper stickers, and window cards saying

Friend of McIntyre Creek.

If you would like to place one in your business window, your home, or the bumper of your vehicle, please pick them up at Yukon Conservation Society office at 302 Hawkins Street in Whitehorse.

I have to apologize for not keeping this blog updated as frequently as I would have liked, but have been dealing with personal medical issues since October 2011 which have taken priority. I hope to keep it more current in future.

Gerry

Merry Christmas Everyone!

A cartoon published in the paper. It would be funny if it wasn't so close to the truth!

Letter to Council from Mike Tribes, Porter Creek Resident

Supporters of McIntyre Creek need to get involved by sending letters to the City Council, and the newspapers, to keep up the pressure to protect the McIntyre Creek wildlife corridor.

If you read the comments below, you will see that again the deck is being stacked so the City gets the answers it wants, without being open to the possibility that Porter Creek D will not be developed.

Thanks to Mike Tribe for this letter.

"I want to thank the City Council for hearing input from concerned citizens and various groups.

I especially want to thank Councillors Cameron, Irwin, and Pillai for recognizing that a communication breakdown occured during the working group meetings, and that the process needed to be fixed. Councillors Stockdale and Roberts offered encouragement by suggesting that we move ahead with this preliminary phase and answer a lot of questions, so we can proceed to make a decision, and that development is not a done deal.

After reading the PC-D Subdivision Development Agreement between YTG and the city, I noticed some things that are of particular concern, that make me question whether or not this is a done deal.

On page 1

Whereas: B. the Parties have agreed in principle that the area known as Porter Creek D... is developable land for a residential neighbourhood and wish for the planning and public consultation process that will lead to development of this area to proceed.

Whereas: E. the Parties have agreed that all planning work undertaken to develop lost must be 100% recovered from the sale of such lots.

This suggests to me that the basic terms of reference of the agreement suggest that the city and YTG want the development to occur, and the planning and public consultation will lead to development of the area, and that all costs will be 100% recoverable.

Councillor Roberts: If development does not occur, which you promised is a valid outcome, how will the $420,000 cost be recovered, as stated in this agreement? And why does section B say planning will lead to development?

The document also says under responsibilities, item 2.2:

The Planning, feasibility and subdivision approval exercise will result in:

• An Environmental Assessment decision document that supports the Porter Creek D subdivision development; and
• an approved subdivision plan for the phased development.

This item also suggest that there will be an approved subdivision plan. This sounds like a done deal. There is no "if" in this clause. Apparently YESAB will approve development and an approved subdivision plan will be produced.

Under resposibilities, item 2.5:

The detailed engineering design and tender documents exercise will result in:

• Development of the Porter Creek D Subdivision

Again this raises the fear that development is a done deal.

I understand the sense of urgency to push ahead with this. Section 6.0, Schedule says the detailed design of the development can commence no later than December 2011. Was it this clause that was driving the pressure to not restore the faith in the City's consulting process, in delaying a decision by 6 weeks?

And while I have faith in the promises made by Councillors Roberts and Stockdale that development is not a forgone conclusion, and that this is just predesign, will those commitments supercede this Subdivision Planning Agreement, which commits to cost recovery, should it be decided that development not go ahead?

Thanks for listening.

Mike Tribes

Porter Creek Resident"

Let's Fill the Room on December 12th!

Hello Friends of McIntyre Creek,

Another big meeting is approaching: on Monday, December 12th, 2011, City Council will be making the decision whether to give the go-ahead for further planning of the proposed developments in Middle McIntyre Creek. City Council needs to keep getting the strong message that we say No! to Porter Creek-D and the connector roads - we need everybody out on Monday!

The meeting will be held at 7:30 pm in Council Chambers, City Hall. If you would like to make a presentation, you must pre-register with the City Clerk at 668-8621.

Despite the weather this past Monday, we had a great turnout at the City Council Meeting and a number of very good presentations. Since that meeting, an Administrative Report has been made available by City Planners that summarizes and responds to the concerns that have been raised. If you want a copy, or you have questions or comments, call Christina at 668-5678. We're currently drafting a response to this Administrative Report which will be circulated shortly.

See you all on December 12th!

NEWS Release Dec. 10-11

NDP to Table McIntyre Creek Petition in the Legislature

The New Democratic Party is tabling a petition about McIntyre Creek in the legislature
tomorrow. The petition calls for the Yukon government to protect Middle McIntyre Creek
and oppose development proposals in the area.

The Friends of McIntyre Creek, Yukon Conservation Society, Porter Creek Community
Association and Takhini North Community Association have been circulating the petition
since Nov. 3rd.

“Our MLA Kate White strongly supported protecting Middle McIntyre Creek during the
territorial election, so we were happy to accept her offer to table the petition in the
legislature,” said Takhini North Community Association President Noel Sinclair.

221 signatures were signed in hard copy and 145 signatures were obtained through an
online petition, for a total of 366.

“These signatures show significant support for protecting this well loved recreational
and wildlife area,” said YCS Executive Director Karen Baltgailis. “The vast majority of
the public input to the City’s consultation process about the proposed developments
also calls for the area to be protected from roads and houses.”

City Council Decision on Middle McIntyre Creek December 12th

City Council Decision on Middle McIntyre Creek December 12th!

Hello Friends of McIntyre Creek,

City Hall has received over 500 comments about the proposed developments in Middle McIntyre Creek! Let's keep the pressure on in the days leading up to the December 12th decision by City Council.

Here's How:

1. Attend and/or present at the December 5th and 12th City Council meetings. On December 5th, City Council will be reviewing public input on the proposed developments. On December 12th, City Council will be deciding whether to approve the proposed developments. The bigger the presence we have at these two meetings the better - let's fill the room!

Both meetings will take place at 7:30pm in the Council Chambers, City Hall.

I encourage you to make a presentation at one or both of these two meetings. If you would like to present, please contact Norma (668-8622) or Frieda (668-8621) at City Hall. Pre-registration is encouraged for the December 5th meeting and is mandatory for the December 12th meeting. 5 minutes are allotted per presentation.

2. Kate White of the Yukon NDP, will be presenting the Petition to Protect Middle McIntyre Creek to the Yukon Legislature on December 5. As of today, over 350 people have signed the petition! A big attendance in the Legislature when this Petition is presented is key. Details about timing to follow.

3. Persuade City Councillors to listen to the public input and protect Middle McIntyre Creek. Here is the website containing their contact information: http://www.whitehorse.ca/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={ACDB6341-BF17-45A6-880F-243DF59D4A7D}


Questions, comments? Contact Christina at YCS, 668-5678

Flooded Creek - November 23, 2011

The trail was closed when the creek overflowed the banks. It was at least 6 feet higher than normal and had flooded well over the banks. It was interesting that the creek by the Pump House looked normal, so the flooding was only at the bridge closest to the College.