McKee Neighbourhood Plan Public Hearing
Matsqui Centennial Auditorium, where the McKee Neighbourhood Plan public hearing was held on Monday, March 6, 2023. Image source: Google Earth
Public Hearing Video Recording Links and Time Marks for March 6 and June 12, 2023.
Correspondence Packages 1 - 4 - Note: There is an issue with the link on the City's website for packages one through four. I've asked the City for clarification on the URL issue. RB - June 12, 2023
Public Hearing Video Recording - Monday, March 6, 2023
Unofficial Transcript - Monday, March 6, 2023
Public Hearing One of Two: Public hearing time marks with First Nations presentations in italics (three presentations) for March 6, 2023:
18:07:14 - Staff presentation
18:27:50 - First speaker
18:27:50 - Long-time resident speaks to concerns regarding lobbyist efforts, housing affordability and removal of natural spaces
18:34:45 - Discusses the Francophone School District consultation
18:36:47 - A resident speaks to the geology and natural inhabitants of McKee Peak, plus the idea of a concept park
18:40:24 - A landowner family in the McKee NP subject area
18:48:44 - A resident of Sumas Prairie who speaks to the importance of recreation and nature preservation
18:52:12 - Abbotsford Walking, Hiking and More Group and The United Church Earth Stewards
18:55:18 - A physiotherapist at Abbotsford Regional Hospital speaks to the recreation health benefits of McKee Peak and the lack of indoor recreation centres
19:00:00 - A resident who speaks to the concerns regarding notice about the McKee NP
19:04:35 - Stó:lō Research and Resource Management Centre
19:10:00 - Sumas First Nation Natural Resource Technician
19:15:38 - Manager of Capital Planning, Abbotsford School District
19:20:52 - Feedback regarding research studies
19:24:00 - Vice President, Fraser Valley Conservancy
19:28:24 - Canadian Federation of University Women - References Mill Lake as a legacy park concerning McKee Peak becoming a park
19:34:13 - Recess
19:43:54 - Canadian Federation of University Women
19:48:41 - Resident and UFV student
19:51:19 - A resident speaks to unceded territory, urban sprawl and flat surface parking lots
19:56:55 - Sumas Prairie resident speaks to water runoff concerns
20:01:10 - Landowner in the McKee NP subject area
20:03:36 through 20:19:01 - Three consecutive speakers for the Abbotsford Trail Development Society, Abbotsford Trail Running Club and Fraser Valley Mountain Bikers Association (Slide highlights: 20:04:16 speaker overview slide, 20:04:23 requests slide, 20:06:52 mountain popularity slide, 20:08:40 recreation study slide, 20:09:09 economic benefits slide, 20:10:04 tourism impact possibility slide, 20:12:39 future trail study budget, 20:13:48 green space land use slide, 20:14:33 goals slide, 20:15:53 experience overview slide, 20:17:35 existing trail areas in the region highlighting areas that can support future development slide, 20:18:18 endowment funds slide)
20:19:06 - Landowner in the McKee NP subject area
20:20:50 - John Vissers, Fraser Valley Conservancy Board Member
20:26:15 - Christina Toth, former Abbotsford Times journalist
20:29:58 - Tourism Abbotsford and Fraser Valley Destination Development Council
20:32:25 - Abbotsford and Mission Nature Club
20:45:50 - Past President (16 years), Abbotsford and Mission Nature Club
20:48:24 - Biologist, Fraser Valley Conservancy
20:53:41 - McKee Peak area resident
20:59:04 - Board Member of Fraser Valley Conservancy who has worked professionally in nature conservation and stewardship with a focus on species at risk for over 20 years
21:02:28 - Recess followed by a brief Council meeting
21:11:00 - McKee public feedback resumes
21:11:18 - Former resident speaks to affordable housing and climate change issues who works as an immigration community developer
21:15:47 - A resident speaks about First Nations' unceded territory
21:20:53 - Biologist who works with the Fraser Valley Watersheds Coalition
21:25:48 - Abbotsford resident who has worked for Fraser Valley Conservancy shares her McKee Peak experience and the importance of nature
21:31:17 - A resident who speaks to the natural health benefits of McKee Peak on unceded land. Talks about changes in the ponds when Whatcom Road was extended. Sustainability specialist. Instructor.
21:34:34 - A resident who was born on Sumas Mountain speaks about the impacts of development
21:38:39 - A resident who speaks to housing affordability and traffic
21:43:40 - Auguston and Abbotsford Tech District
21:48:10 - A resident who speaks to the importance of McKee Peak's trails and habitat
21:51:25 - Retired wildlife biologist with 55 years of experience
21:52:17 - Former Chairperson of Fraser Valley Conservancy. Offers examples of conflict between humans and wildlife when natural areas are developed
21:57:20 - A resident speaks to trees and air quality and the need to secure a large area of McKee Peak as green space
21:59:10 - Director of Acquisitions, Polygon Homes
22:00:49 - A resident and parent who speaks to the importance of the mental health benefits of McKee Peak
22:02:25 - A former South Surrey resident speaks to the erosion of green space and preserving space as a park giving the example of Stanley Park
22:04:48 - Director of Governance and Natural Resources, Sumas First Nation
22:13:52 - Second call for speakers
22:14:06 - Council asks questions of staff
Public Hearing Video Recording - Monday, June 12, 2023
Public Hearing Two of Two: Public hearing time marks with First Nations presentations in italics (two presentations) for June 12, 2023:
18:06:50 - Staff Presentation
18:24:23 - Long-time resident of Abbotsford presents materials from the Government of British Columbia
18:28:39 - The Kenny Group
18:31:35 - Resident shares insight regarding environmental concerns and lack of natural areas retained
18:37:06 - Abbotsford youth resident expresses her love for McKee Peak and concerns about the loss of the City's last natural habitat and having to travel to other towns for access to nature
18:40:28 - Member of United Church Earth Stewards and Canadian Federation of University Women speaks to the loss of the natural habitat, including the City's tree canopy
18:44:47 - Natural Resources Technician, Sumas First Nation. PowerPoint presentation. Speaks to cultural loss and species at risk. The Sumas First Nation opposes the Plan.
18:51:33 - Abbotsford resident speaks to a lack of Sumas First Nations engagement and relationship
18:55:34 - An Abbotsford resident and McKee Peak trail user speaks against urban sprawl
Further Reading
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Keywords: Abbotsford, Sumas, Mountain, McKee, Peak, Neighbourhood, Plan, public, hearing, March 6, 2023, housing, sprawl, development, nature, species, park, habitat, tourism