Controversial Application for Urban Sprawl in Jordan River

Contact: Gordon O'Connor - 250 370 9930 ext. 26

Controversy over urban sprawl in the spectacular coastal forests West of Victoria has been re-ignited by a proposal to rezone 7 parcels of land near Jordan River to build a 279 cabin resort and tourism facility.  Developer Ender Ilkay has applied for an exemption to the Official Community Plan and Zoning bylaws to build a settlement that would effectively raise the population of Jordan River by over 500%.  In 2008 and 2009 he made a similar proposal that was met with enormous opposition from across the region.  

“The last time Ilkay tried to bulldoze our forests thousands of people campaigned to stop him,” said Gordon O’Connor, Vancouver Island Campaigner with the Dogwood Initiative.  “Its obvious that our community does not want to see urban on the Wild Coast.”

The area in question was purchased by Ilkay after the Provincial Liberals  privatized 23,000 Ha for forest land on Vancouver Island in 2007.  Outraged community members from across BC successfully campaigned to have the Capital Regional District (CRD) purchase 10% of the effected area for park land and also to set minimum 120 Ha lot sizes to prevent urban sprawl.

“The past three years have seen an amazing number of people taking action to protect our Wild Coast” said O’Connor.  “Vancouver Island has a proud history of environmental activism, I wonder if Ender Ilkay knows what he’s getting himself into.”

All of the land being discussed is inside the traditional territory of the T-So’uke Nation who are currently in treaty negotiations with the Federal Government.  Consultation or remuneration to recognize their interest in the area is not even being discussed.

On Tuesday September 21 at 7:00 PM the Juan de Fuca Land Use Committee will meet in the Sooke Community Hall to receive the proposal for information and are expected to refer it out to community groups for comment.