Interesting editorial in NS News re. CMHC lands

http://www.nsnews.com/opinion/sullivan-bonehead-pr-hall-of-infamy-s-newest-inductee-1.2378648

It's seeming more and more likely that this was a ploy by CMHC to develop some of the land in question.

No smoke without fire.

If that land goes I'd find the riding pretty dull here with it just being climb fire road, descend, repeat. That little area of lower level rolling terrain is the best part of the three mountains IMO.

Regardless we're off to the Island. All the traffic, vertical sprawl, and Lynn Valley becoming Metrotown North etc. It's just getting ugly.

Agreed especially on the moving side of things…

More news coming out regarding this week's meeting with the CMHC:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/seymour-cmhc-trails-open-1.3826590

http://www.nsnews.com/opinion/sullivan-bonehead-pr-hall-of-infamy-s-newest-inductee-1.2378648

It's seeming more and more likely that this was a ploy by CMHC to develop some of the land in question.

Seeing as the Blair Range parcel is slated for 300 homes as part of the Seymour development plan, that motive would seem most likely.

Said that from the beginning.

CMHC is taking stock of what they have. They know where Canada is going in terms of housing and mortgages, and know they're about to bleed some money. They likely just want to have all their ducks in a row and if they need a few hundred million, they know where to find it.

Gotta start negotiating with something rather than nothing.
I figured they were starting something.

I think blair range should be preserved as a heritage site.

CMHC Lands consist of Blair Range, Mountain forest and Cove Forest. Blair Range is zoned for development. Mountain Forest and Cove Forest are zoned Recreation, Parks and Open spaces thanks to GUARD.

GUARD - group united around responsible development.
https://www.wildernesscommittee.org/sites/all/files/publications/1995%20%2009%20The%20Choice%20is%20yours.pdf

GUARD was established in 1995 to stop development of Mountain Forest and Cove Forest. These were zoned Urban Reserve at this time. Ie could be developed.
The fight was to make this area zoned Park Recreation and Open Space.

These efforts resulted in an inclusion in the 2003 Seymour OCP to keep these lands undeveloped.
https://www.dnv.org/sites/default/files/edocs/seymour-plan-with-maps.pdf

The trails are in Mountain Forest. There have been talks about making Blair Range Heritage. Hope they fix it up if they do, right now its shitty alder and roads that might as well be creeks.

http://www.nsnews.com/opinion/sullivan-bonehead-pr-hall-of-infamy-s-newest-inductee-1.2378648

It's seeming more and more likely that this was a ploy by CMHC to develop some of the land in question.

I am guessing that since the signage is based on Ontario Trespassing laws. The Panjandrum in Ottawa used Ontario as the base line and expected the following scenario usualy scene here… No trespassing signs go up which creates brief anger and outrage. Riders talk of organizing and 6 months later status quo with minimal rider action.

They where not expecting the reaction of BC's highly organized and vocal ready to take action forest users.

Hope they fix it up if they do, right now its shitty alder and roads that might as well be creeks.

It's filled with cottonwoods that snap whenever there's a wind storm.

And it's still used by motorcyclists. They're the ones that thrashed the dirt jumps that were there years ago.

http://www.nsnews.com/opinion/sullivan-bonehead-pr-hall-of-infamy-s-newest-inductee-1.2378648

It's seeming more and more likely that this was a ploy by CMHC to develop some of the land in question.

Thank you for the link Cam.

I have expressed support for a Land Use review of the CMHC lands including the Blair Rifle Range, along with Mountain and Cove Forest. As Sharon rightly points out, those areas were included in plans some 13 years ago but were not included in the DNV’s 2011Official Community Plan (no one seems to know why they were excluded). Some of those lands, particularly the lands that are covered by scrub (cottonwoods etc) are of limited recreational use but are suitable for social infrastructure including co-op and seniors housing.

I have corresponded with all levels of government regarding the land. I read that the Province, at least, is prepared to allow responsible and reasonable recreational use. I have not yet seen any formal acknowledgement from CMHC. Once that formal acknowledgement is available I will post it on my web site:

http://www.hazencolbert2014.ca/

I will also be meeting with the NSMBA and their legal counsel in November in part to discuss public safety and sharing on trails. I will post the minutes from that meeting on my web site as well.

In the meantime with less daylight and the inclement weather upon us remember to keep the rubber side down and the shiny side up, keep looking out for one another and reach for the stars.

The Blair rifle range has had no trespassing signs for about 50yrs, nothing new here.
The area was fenced off also. People have been riding motos and 4x4s in there since the 70's.
Now it's supposed to be some pristine wilderness area, give your head a shake.
If the land owner wants to develop the site that's their business.
I don't see them wanting to develop to far up the slopes, but the flat part that was the rifle range looks like good condo land.
The district of NV is cramming condos into every community, may as well add some more out there.