Fort 91原创 has its place on the map as the birthplace of B.C.

But controversy and dissension over the past few years has brought attention which residents and retailers would rather not have had. 

There was an outcry over the rezoning of the final piece of developable land on Bedford Landing, the waterfront housing estate. Many residents feel that Township council ignored the will of the majority.

The Fort 91原创 Community Association, comprised of residents, and the owners and operators of businesses in the village, says it鈥檚 time to move on.

鈥淭he board is not interested in re-visiting the past,鈥� Martha Metzner, one of 13 FLCA board members, told council last month.

鈥淲e are more interested in moving forward.鈥�

Outlining the FLCA鈥檚 action plan, Metzner said that 鈥渢he primary purpose today is to signal that going forward we shall vigorously engage with Township to advance the views and interests of Fort 91原创 constituents.鈥�

The organization, mandated by council since 1997 to represent community interests to the Township, will re-invigorate its interaction with the municipality, she added.

Why now? 

鈥淏ecause while maintaining its essential character, Fort 91原创 has changed,鈥� Metzner said, noting that more than 1,000 new residents have settled in Fort 91原创 since 1987. The Bedford Landing development increased the population by 30 per cent and, she added, 40 per cent of FLCA board members live in Bedford Landing.

鈥淭he new board is committed to building on the good work of the past and to strengthening our voice for the future,鈥� she said. To that end, the board conducted a survey, the results of which showed that community involvement in development and planning was the number 1 issue.

The second was developing waterfront access.

The board will focus on becoming more engaged with Township staff and council over community issues, Metzner said.

Its members will consult and co-ordinate efforts with various community groups such as the BIA with whom the FLCA board will regularly meet; the FL Canoe Club, heritage preservation and museum associations, Fort 91原创 Community Improvement Society, Parks Canada, and the Salmon River Enhancement Society.

Uppermost in the new board鈥檚 plan is a review of the Official Community Plan, and involvement in the development of the waterfront, development of Township owned properties.

This interest extends to any properties owned by a select group, such as ParkLane or numbered companies.

The association wants to be kept informed about development applications, permits, rezoning issues or bylaw amendments, Metzner said.

Working closely with FLCA is the Fort 91原创 Business Improvement Association, whose president, Josh Konishe, spelled out some of the priorities for increasing the village鈥檚 profile for business, drawing more visitors and enhancing celebrations.