The Ginter’s Green Forever group has made its case to Prince George City Council.
The Group is hoping to have an extension of Massey Drive removed from the Official Community Plan (OCP), as well as turn the area in to an official park.
Over 150 supporters packed council chambers at last night’s meeting as James Steidle and Susanne Weber made a presentation before Council.
“It’s the most popularly reviewed park on Google Review’s,” Steidle said.
“I went through quite a few reviews and the worst one I found was four-stars and it’s a positive review.”
Steidle and Weber brought up a number of points supporting their position, including:
- Wildlife/Identity values
- Slope stability
- Hydrological integrity
- FireSmart
- Trail Networks
Director of Planning Development Deanna Wasnik said a review of the city’s OCP is coming next year.
Mayor Lyn Hall said the information council has been sent around the project, and the group could resubmit when the process takes off for the review.
“I go to Ginter’s park, I take my dog there, and I’ve visited with people from out of town, and out of country that now that they can come there,” said Councillor Brian Skakun.
“I’m just wondering in regards to this one extension, why can’t council take the Massey Extension out of that which doesn’t affect basically the rest of the OCP?”
Skakun’s question was met with applause from the supporters in the gallery.
He also motioned for city staff to bring a report to Council on what taking the extension out of the OCP, and to making the area park land would look like.
That would be brought back before council on October 3rd.
The motion was supported unanimously.
“This is an absolute gem in our community,” said Councillor Kyle Sampson.
“I walk it regularly, I don’t have a dog right now but I like to see other people’s dogs so it’s a real treat to get out there. In my mind, there’s no doubt that this extension is not going to happen anyway.”
“Your message has been heard, and if there’s one thing that’s clear, the ‘give a damn button’ here is not broken, it’s functioning properly,” said Councillor Garth Frizzell.
Councillor Susan Scott echoed Frizzell’s comments.
“Every person here tonight, whether you came for this reason or not, needs to go away with the understanding that you have been heard,” she said.
Other items discussed at tonight’s council meeting included a naloxone pilot project in the city this fall, a development on Ospika Boulevard, and Mayor Lyn Hall announced he would not be seeking re-election in the upcoming municipal election.
Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].
