Literature Review: McKee Neighbourhood Plan

Aerial image: The McKee Neighbourhood Plan subject area on Sumas Mountain in Abbotsford, north of Sumas Prairie and Highway 1. Source: Fraser Valley Conservancy video essay, "Why the FVC can not support the McKee Neighbourhood Plan" and "Why you should Speak for the Peak."

An evolving literature review of the proposed McKee Neighbourhood Plan and related transportation and development projects on Sumas Mountain, the traditional and unceded territory of Sumas First Nation.


McKee Neighbourhood Plan Overview


Stage 4 Council Report (Report No. PDS 078-2023)

Stage 4 Council Presentation

Proposed Bylaw (Bylaw No. 3400-2023) (updated proposed plan)

Documents

City Documents for Wildlife Protection, Ecosystem Mapping of McKee Peak and Sumas Mountain and Species at Risk

The McKee Neighbourhood Plan (NP) has a taxpayer project budget of $771,000. $580,000 has been spent on the project as of the Stage 4 Council Report dated June 9, 2022. These costs do not include staff time and lost opportunity costs (e.g., delayed medium and high-density in-fill projects in the urban centre, as Vikki Hopes of The Abbotsford News reported on June 29, 2022). (Source: Stage 4 Council Report, page 5 and email communication with staff regarding Freedom of Information file 2022-302, November 22, 2022.)

There are no First Nation Reserves within the McKee NP subject area, although the original reserve for Sumas First Nation was larger, according to a CBC article published in 2020. Concerning historical grievances and the Trans-Mountain pipeline on Sumas Mountain, the CBC article states, "...possible new claims represent a hidden liability potentially in the hundreds of millions of dollars..." The City of Abbotsford declined a request for a list of properties within the subject area. (Freedom of Information file 580-20/2022-306, December 12, 2022, and January 23, 2023)

Executive Committee Meeting Recording - Monday, January 30, 2023
Time marks:
15:26:20 - Presentation to Council
15:51:22 - Vote

Regular Council Recording - Monday, January 30, 2023
Time mark:
19:02:52 - Vote (proceeds to a public hearing on Monday, March 6, 2023)

= = =
Council was scheduled to vote on the McKee Neighbourhood Plan (by-law) on Monday, March 27, 2023, which was cancelled due to a procedural error. Refer to page 20 of the Executive Committee Agenda for Monday, March 27, 2023, explaining the procedural error. Council deferred the McKee Neighbourhood Plan back to staff (recording on Twitter).
= = =

Council gave the first and second readings to the McKee Neighbourhood Plan - Monday, April 24, 2023

Public Hearing Video Recording and Time Marks - For Monday, March 6 and June 12, 2023

The Plan will be considered for a third and final reading by Council on Monday, June 26, 2023, to amend the Official Community Plan to include the McKee Neighbourhood Plan.

The Monday, June 26, 2023, Council Meeting begins at approximately 18:11.

Letters to the Editor of The Abbotsford News: letters@abbynews.com


APC Resources


Understanding Municipal Fundamentals (Refer to Property Tax Economics)


Literature Review - Infrastructure Economics and Biodiversity Policy


"Quantifying the Cost of Sprawl," by Emily Badger, Bloomberg - May 21, 2013

"The Suburbs Are Bleeding America Dry," by Climate Town - February 7, 2022

"Suburbia is Subsidized: Here's the Math," by Not Just Bikes, published on YouTube - March 7, 2022

"Why We Won't Raise Our Kids in Suburbia," by Not Just Bikes, published on YouTube - June 6, 2022

"Lessons from Canadian cities that cherish and protect greenspace," by Isaac Phan Nay, National Observer - June 17, 2022




"'A bleak, high-tax future': The hidden cost of sprawl development," by Simon Woodside, Toronto Star - November 27, 2022

"How to turn your Neighborhood into a Village," by Andrew Millison, published on YouTube - March 16, 2023

"Less Cars, More Money: My Visit to the City of the Future," by Peter Jonathan Adeney, Mr. Money Mustache - April 7, 2023

"I got a new truck!! (and a million subscribers!)," by Not Just Bikes, published on YouTube - May 24, 2023


Literature Review - McKee, Before The Neighbourhood Plan


"Meeting slated on Sumas Mountain study," Abbotsford News - September 12, 2012

"Eight acres donated to Fraser Valley Conservancy," by Jason Roessle, Abbotsford News - July 31, 2014

Truck parking and Whatcom Road Highway 1 Exit 95 traffic issues that hinder goods and services movement due to traffic induced by urban sprawl on Sumas Mountain: "Ag land on First Nations reserve cleared for new truck parking," by Kelvin Gawley, Abbotsford News - September 9, 2017 | Related: Commercial Truck Parking Issues Literature Review and Whatcom Road Transit Exchange

"Bike lanes, slower speeds considered for McKee Road," by Tyler Olsen, Abbotsford News - September 21, 2017

"McKee connector among $250 million worth of road plans," by Tyler Olsen, Abbotsford News - April 18, 2018

"Abbotsford's famed 'gravity hill' loses its powers," by Ben Lypka, Abbotsford News - April 11, 2019

"Futuristic development on Abbotsford hillside met with optimism, skepticism," by Tyler Olsen, Abbotsford News - October 9, 2019

"5 reasons why We Town would be a good idea & 5 reasons why it might not work," by Tyler Olsen, Abbotsford News - October 10, 2019

"Abbotsford considering new high-tech city with 29,000 residents and 18,000 jobs," by Kenneth Chan, Daily Hive - October 12, 2019

Staff Report: "McKee Neighbourhood Plan - Additional Resources for WeTown," City of Abbotsford Staff Report by Mitchell Comb, Senior Planner to Council - December 10, 2019

"Planning price tag revealed for futuristic 'We Town' concept in Abbotsford," by Tyler Olsen, Abbotsford News - December 13, 2019

"We Town concept shelved by Abbotsford council," by Tyler Olsen, Abbotsford News - December 16, 2019

"Concerns over long-term risks, planning delays and downtown impact doomed We Town," by Tyler Olsen, Abbotsford News - December 18, 2019

"Developer proclaims 'relaunch' of We Town proposal in Abbotsford," by Tyler Olsen, Abbotsford News - February 21, 2020

= = =

"Local First Nation asked court to halt expropriation next to sacred site," by Tyler Olsen, Fraser Valley Current - March 25, 2021
= = =

"Can the 'Abbotsford Tech District' rally more local support than We Town?" By Tyler Olsen, Abbotsford News - August 20, 2020

Study: "Sumas Mountain Study" by Urban Systems - March 2021


Literature Review - McKee Neighbourhood Plan


"City of Abbotsford moves to next phase of McKee Neighbourhood Plan," by Vikki Hopes, Abbotsford News - February 14, 2022

"Open houses address McKee neighbourhood draft plan in Abbotsford," by Vikki Hopes, Abbotsford News - May 16, 2022

"Can one of Canada's best trail networks survive development?" By Tyler Olson, Fraser Valley Current - May 27, 2022

"Last chance to help protect habitat on McKee Peak!" By Joanne Neilson, Fraser Valley Conservancy - July 18, 2022

Essay: "Why the FVC can not support the McKee Neighbourhood Plan," by Joanne Neilson of Fraser Valley Conservancy, published on YouTube - July 20, 2022

"The biggest decision facing Abbotsford's next council," by Tyler Olson, Fraser valley Current - October 5, 2022


"Plan sees McKee Peak area as 'outdoor adventure hub' in Abbotsford," by Vikki Hopes, Abbotsford News - February 2, 2023

"Abbotsford developer supports McKee bike trails on Sumas Mountain," by Vikki Hopes, Abbotsford News - February 17, 2023

Essay: "Why you should Speak for the Peak," by Joanne Neilson of Fraser Valley Conservancy, published on YouTube - February 23, 2023

"The McKee Neighbourhood Plan Review (Opinion)," by Ross Brown, Abbotsford's Policy Corner - February 28, 2023

Letter to the Editor of The Abbotsford News: "Keep an eye on Abbotsford's McKee Peak plans," by Linda Burton - March 2, 2023

"Proponents of 'Abbotsford's Silicon Valley' slam Sumas Mountain plan," by Vikki Hopes, Abbotsford News - March 6, 2023

"Dozens speak out at 5-hour hearing on McKee Neighbourhood Plan in Abbotsford," by Vikki Hopes, Abbotsford News - March 7, 2023

"Abbotsford author releases book about impacts on Sumas Mountain nature," by Vikki Hopes, Abbotsford News - March 13, 2023


"One last sprawl: Why the McKee Peak plan exists," by Tyler Olsen, Fraser Valley Current - March 24, 2023

"Second public hearing delayed for McKee Neighbourhood Plan in Abbotsford," by Vikki Hopes, Abbotsford News - March 27, 2023

"Abbotsford Tech District urges city to ‘get this thing moving'," by Vikki Hopes, Abbotsford News - April 19, 2023

"Updated McKee Neighbourhood Plan comes before Abbotsford council," by Vikki Hopes, Abbotsford News - April 24, 2023

"Living on settled land," by Tyler Olsen, Fraser Valley Current - May 2, 2023

"Second public hearing Monday for McKee Neighbourhood Plan in Abbotsford," by Vikki Hopes, Abbotsford News - June 9, 2023

"Second public hearing held in Abbotsford for McKee Neighbourhood Plan," by Vikki Hopes, Abbotsford News - June 13, 2023

"First Nation remains opposed to development plans for 'sacred' Abbotsford mountain," by Tyler Olsen, Fraser Valley Current - June 14, 2023

"Abbotsford’s McKee Neighbourhood Plan approved unanimously by council," by Jessica Peters, Abbotsford News - June 27, 2023


"Public information meeting set for Abbotsford Tech District," by Vikki Hopes, Abbotsford News - November 28, 2023

Reduced density on a McKee Neighbourhood Plan lot, contributing to further sprawl, reduced transit viability and higher housing unit costs (77 townhouses to 26 lots): "Subdivision, apartment and townhouse projects approved in Abbotsford," by Vikki Hopes, Abbotsford News - March 20, 2024 | City Report



Literature Review - Example: Suburban Sprawl Rejected in Kelowna


Examples of future development designation under an official community plan do not confer development rights in British Columbia.

"Kelowna council votes to end urban sprawl with limit on new homes," by Ron Seymour, Kelowna Daily Courier (featured in The Vancouver Sun) - December 12, 2018

"Say goodbye to sprawl," by Wayne Moore, Castanet - May 27, 2019

"Kelowna council rejects commercial development on agricultural land," by Miachel Rodriguez, Kelowna Capital News - November 2, 2020

"Kelowna city council rejects 680-home subdivision in Upper Mission," by Wayne Moore, Castanet - March 1, 2021

"Plans for 650 homes at Kelowna's southern edge rejected by council," by Ron Seymour, Kelowna Daily Courier - March 1, 2021

"Kelowna has learned the 'iceberg' lesson of sprawling development," by Rob Munro, InfoTel - March 2, 2021

Recent industrial zoning proposed change to green space:

"Kelowna council moves to save golf course from industrial development," by Winston Szeto, CBC News - March 1, 2023




"Council's decision to reverse OCP change a signal decisions will be what is appropriate for the entire community," by Wayne Moore, Castanet - June 22, 2023


McKee Habitat, Park and Trail Sample Information and Photos


10 Adventures - McKee Peak

All Trails - McKee Peak

City of Abbotsford - Trail Guide - McKee Park - Page 17

Hiking for the Scaredy Cat - McKee Peak

McKee Park - Facebook Group

McKee Peak Nature Trail - Facebook Group

Pacer - McKee Peak

PerfectDayToPlay - Aerial Video: "Meeting Black Bears at McKee Peak," published on YouTube - May 13, 2020

McKee Peak Trails - A tweet by Greg McKone


McKee Advocacy and Stakeholder Groups


Abbotsford Mission Nature Club

Fraser Valley Conservancy / Three Creeks / Speak for the Peak

Fraser Valley Mountain Bikers Association

McKee Peak Collective - Facebook Group / Photos

Sumas First Nation


= = =

Keywords: Abbotsford, Sumas, Mountain, McKee, peak, neighbourhood, plan, proposal, project, sprawl, suburban, nature, environment, infrastructure, deficit, higher, increased, tax, taxes, expenses, cost, revenue, we town, tech, district, agri