Dear editor,
I applaud Coun. Doug Hillian for his recommendation to not support a new 20- to 40-year lease period for the Airpark Association for the use of Courtenay city land without a staff report. Perhaps it is time that Courtenay council explored other uses for this large and strategically located public property. Council should not be unduly pressured by the Airpark Association to make a quick decision to grant such a generous long-term lease agreement.
The city land in question should be for the benefit of all citizens of Courtenay and not the continued legal right into the future of one single-use group at the exclusion of all others.
The serious impacts of climate change that we are experiencing should be one obvious motivation for a new Courtenay council to consider the exciting opportunities the airpark land presents in planning for multi-use considerations. The entire Comox Valley community would benefit from enhanced public park multi-use amenities and walkways.
As well, there would be the exciting prospect for community stewardship of this paved-over land to become a more vibrant forested habitat of the K’omoks Estuary - for the appreciation and enjoyment of al.
Council in the recent past has lamented the rapid disappearance of our urban tree canopy. Here is an opportunity to begin meaningful urban reforestation.
A cooler quieter natural setting for south Courtenay should be our goal. Increased density is on its way and vision for more natural balance is needed.
The fate of the airpark/estuary land is an important issue... 20 to 40 years is a very long time!
John Woolley
Comox