Fort 91原创 residents want to have a say in the planning and development of their village, and want better access to the waterfront.
These were the key findings of a survey, conducted earlier this month, to gauge the pulse of the community.
鈥淭he goal was to assess the community pulse about the relative importance and priority of particular community issues,鈥� said Connie Blundy, vice-chairman of the Fort 91原创 Community Association.
In early January, the FLCA mailed 950 questionnaires and delivered another 400 to residents who do not have post office boxes. The survey contained 10 questions which included a new museum site, traffic congestion, visitor parking, filming, and peace and quiet.
The answers will be used as the basis of an action plan which the association will present to Township council next month.
Residents were invited to comment on other issues, too, foremost among support for the IGA to be rebuilt. Apart from a convenience store, the IGA was the only grocery store in the village.
The store burned to the ground on Jan. 4.
Blundy said that the survey results contained 鈥渁 repeated wish for the rebuilding of the Fort IGA, and recurrent and heartwarming offers of support for the Lee family.鈥�
In a Jan. 14 letter to the editor of The Times, IGA owner Robert Lee and his family said that they 鈥渓ook forward to rebuilding for the future.鈥�
Blundy said that the sentiment expressed by residents 鈥渟peaks volumes about the communal spirit and integrity of Fort 91原创 residents.鈥�
Some comments 鈥渦nderscored a keen interest in community involvement in development and planning, as the majority of comments focused on this issue,鈥� she said.
Other comments dealt with preserving the heritage character of Fort 91原创, keeping houses small and lots large, limiting the height of buildings to three storeys, and keeping big box stores out of the village.
Road and river traffic concerns were also mentioned, including road maintenance, relocating the truck route, and the noise and speed of boats and other water craft on the Bedford Channel.
More details about the survey results will be presented at the FLCA鈥檚 meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 8, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Andrew鈥檚 United Church Hall, 9025 Glover Rd.
Residents and business owners are invited to attend the meeting. Peter Burch, a senior planner with the City of Vancouver, and Ramin Seifi, the Township鈥檚 chief development planner, will be the guest speakers.
