Arbutus Ridge, Cowichan Valley: Difference between revisions
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[[Category:Populated places in the Cowichan Valley Regional District]] |
[[Category:Populated places in the Cowichan Valley Regional District]] |
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[[Category:Gated communities in Canada]] |
[[Category:Gated communities in Canada]] |
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[[Category:Private community]] |
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Revision as of 18:53, 27 November 2013
Arbutus Ridge Seaside Community for Active Adults | |
|---|---|
 View of Arbutus Ridge from Cherry Point Beach Park | |
| Motto(s): "Canada's Most Livable and Vibrant Adult Community" | |
| Country |  Canada |
| Province |  British Columbia |
| Regional District | Cowichan Valley |
| Incorporated | 1987 |
| Government | |
| • Governing body | Arbutus Ridge Strata Corporation Council |
| • MP (Nanaimo-Cowichan) | Jean Crowder |
| • MLA (Cowichan Valley) | Bill Routley |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.60 km2 (0.23 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 100 m (300 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 987 |
| Time zone | UTC−8 (PST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) |
| Postal code span | |
| Area code(s) | South Cowichan exchanges: 250 (733, 743, 929) and 778 (356, 423, 748) |
| Highways | British Columbia Highway 1 ie Trans-Canada Highway |
| Waterways | Strait of Georgia |
| Website | Arbutus Ridge Seaside Community for Active Adults |
Arbutus Ridge Seaside Community for Active Adults is an age-restricted, gated community located on the southeastern coast of Vancouver Island in the Cobble Hill Electoral Area[1] of British Columbia's Cowichan Valley Regional District.[2] “Arbutus Ridge was the first comprehensive retirement community built in Canada and it subsequently became the template and proving ground for what has become recognized as an accepted and commonplace age-specific form of housing.”[3]
Location
The community is constructed on a 60-hectare site on a ridge, rising 100 m+ above sea level, overlooking Satellite Channel of the Strait of Georgia in the Salish Sea. The bordering seawater is part of Parks Canada's proposed Southern Strait of Georgia National Marine Conservation Area announced in 2011[4] to ensure ecological sustainability of the marine environment.
The community is 6 km north of Mill Bay, 18 km south of Duncan, 50 km north of Victoria and 70 km south of Nanaimo. A BC Forests Ministry scientific brochure compares the climate in this area to other locations in Canada: “This small corner of the province enjoys perhaps the finest climate in Canada. Sheltered by the rain shadow of the Vancouver Island and Olympic Mountains, and warmed by the air from the Pacific, the area basks in a Mediterranean-like environment of warm, sunny summers and mild wet winters. Unlike more exposed coastal areas, this zone experiences long, dry summers, a major factor in its ecology.”.[5] Month-by-month historical averages are reported in the "Climate" section below.
Scope
The Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia examined the development of retirement communities over two decades and in 2009 they commissioned a survey of patterns and trends to better prepare municipal governments for integration with such communities. Their survey of coastal retirement communities in the province categorized Arbutus Ridge as a “master planned lifestyle gated community”. Their report compared relevant attributes of Arbutus Ridge and eight more recently established retirement communities on Vancouver Island.[6]
In a June 2000 article[7] on Arbutus Ridge, the Victoria Times-Colonist reported: “Twelve years after the project's inception, a new generation is buying into the landscape of Vancouver Islan's only gated adult community.” “By the time the last phase is complete, there will be 657 homes creating a community of about 1,200 people.” “The strata bylaws state that only two people can live in a home and one partner in a couple must be over 50 years old.”
."Both demands and house sizes have increased since the development was first created in 1988. The first houses built in the community were 1,000-1,400 square foot, one-level designs that were either semi-detached patio homes or ranchers without basements. By 1992, the developer was following the lead of major US retirement builders...a second level with a walk-out basement and sizes ranging 1,800 to 2,100 square feet. In the newest phase, 80% of the homes are 2,400-2,800 square feet."
"For common property and services, residents contribute...a fee...monthly to the strata corporation to manage everything from road maintenance and sewage treatment to garbage collection and security." In spite of the proximity of the golf course, "...Arbutus Ridge is not a one-dimensional community. Far from being isolated, residents are active volunteers at the local hospital or assistants in the schools."
Statistics Canada's 2006 Census classified Arbutus Ridge as "a designated unincorporated place in the Cowichan Valley" and reported a population of 1,006. BCStats division of the provincial Ministry of Labour and Citizens' Services subsequently used the census data and reported 30 pages of demographic documentation and analysis for the community.[8] The reported age range distribution of the population was: 44 and under, 2%; 45-64, 25%; 65-74, 35% and over 75, 38%.
As previously reported by the BC Real Estate Foundation survey, the community comprises “650 individual residential units” and includes “lifestyle amenities golf, health, business centre, with an activity coordinator”. The residential neighbourhoods intertwine[9] with the 18-hole Arbutus Ridge Golf Course.[10] The community is almost completely developed and the number of houses and the number of residents will not increase significantly in future. Residents voted in June 2009 to ask the Cowichan Valley Regional District to assume operational responsibility for the water, sanitary sewer and drainage systems.[11] In reporting on this transfer from the developer to the municipality after 20 years, the Cowichan Valley Citizen newspaper described Arbutus Ridge as "a large luxury subdivision, almost a village".
Climate
| Climate data for Arbutus Ridge | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 15 (59) |
19 (66) |
21 (70) |
26 (79) |
34 (93) |
36 (97) |
38 (100) |
38 (100) |
35 (95) |
28 (82) |
19 (66) |
17 (63) |
38 (100) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 6 (43) |
8 (46) |
11 (52) |
14 (57) |
17 (63) |
20 (68) |
23 (73) |
24 (75) |
20 (68) |
15 (59) |
9 (48) |
6 (43) |
14.5 (58.1) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −1 (30) |
0 (32) |
1 (34) |
3 (37) |
6 (43) |
9 (48) |
11 (52) |
11 (52) |
7 (45) |
4 (39) |
1 (34) |
−1 (30) |
4.3 (39.7) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −21 (−6) |
−16 (3) |
−12 (10) |
−4 (25) |
−2 (28) |
2 (36) |
3 (37) |
2 (36) |
−3 (27) |
−7 (19) |
−17 (1) |
−22 (−8) |
−22 (−8) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 145 (5.7) |
130 (5.1) |
102 (4.0) |
54 (2.1) |
44 (1.7) |
37 (1.5) |
20 (0.8) |
25 (1.0) |
47 (1.9) |
80 (3.1) |
169 (6.7) |
185 (7.3) |
1,038 (40.9) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 130 (5.1) |
122 (4.8) |
100 (3.9) |
54 (2.1) |
44 (1.7) |
37 (1.5) |
20 (0.8) |
25 (1.0) |
47 (1.9) |
80 (3.1) |
164 (6.5) |
171 (6.7) |
994 (39.1) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 16 (6.3) |
8 (3.1) |
2 (0.8) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
5 (2.0) |
14 (5.5) |
45 (18) |
| Source: Environment Canada[12] | |||||||||||||
History and evolution of the community
CRC Canadian Retirement Corporation and Burrard International Holdings Inc.
In 1983 James Patrick, the founder of Arbutus Ridge, started researching the need for retirement communities in Canada, considering the pattern established in the US Sun Belt with particular reference to the Sun City retirement community in Arizona. CRC Canadian Retirement Corporation (“CRC”) was incorporated[13] under the provincial Business Corporations Act on March 25, 1986 to design and build the community of Arbutus Ridge. Cowichan Valley Regional District issued the Development Permit on April 9, 1987.[14]
Arbutus Ridge was incorporated as a bare-land strata, defined in detail in Strata Plan 1601, under what was then called the Condominium Act, (now the Strata Property Act). Registration of the Plan was completed at the BC Land Title Office in Victoria on November 13, 1987.[15] The “bare land strata” term means that ownership of the land is divided among property owners but each individual house is individually owned and central service buildings are collectively owned. Tidman Construction Ltd.[16] built all the central buildings and houses. A nine-hole golf course was included: holes 12-16, 2 and 9-11, identified by current number but listed in original sequence of play.
In a framed certificate still on display in the Activity Centre, the developer acknowledged the "pioneers", naming the first 60 property owners as of May 14, 1988. 113 more lots were opened in 1988 and another 119 lots in 1989. In 1989, with the community about half constructed, the project won the Urban Development Institute Pacific Region's "Award of Excellence" for having “achieved the highest standard of excellence and…demonstrated innovations in design, community consultation and customer satisfaction.”.[17]
To continue to advance with the second half of the development, an Initial Public Offering of the “Arbutus Ridge Development Limited Partnership” was made on September 1, 1989. The original IPO prospectus from RBC Dominion Securities Inc. provided background information on the community: financing detail, demographics and appraisal on the basis of amenities, security and relative value of investment.[18]
The second half of the development was launched in 1990-92 with 49, 94 and 31 lots opened respectively in those three years, as the residential section advanced to the south down the steeper slopes and west across Ratcliffe Road. This permitted construction of the last nine holes, 1, 3-8, 17 and 18 of the golf course and new clubhouse facility and the covered tennis courts. During the wind-down of the construction of the second half of development, CRC brought in Burrard International Holdings Inc.[19] as a 50% equity partner.
The final 174 lots were opened in six more phases between 1993 and 2010.
Strata Plan 1601 and the self-management era
Self-management of the community began in 1988 with the formation of a transitional Advisory Council, which held its last meeting November 30, 1988, setting the stage for the next phase of governance. Owners, at an Annual General Meeting on January 18, 1989, elected a Strata Council that held its first meeting on January 25. Now that Arbutus Ridge is almost completely built, CRC Developments Ltd.'s day to day involvement in the community is minimal, although Burrard maintains a local presence as parent company of the GolfBC Group,[20] owner of the golf course.
A 7-member volunteer Strata Council, elected annually at the community's AGM, is now responsible for the control, management and administration of the common property, common facilities and the assets of the Strata Corporation as outlined in Part 4 of the Strata Property Act: "Strata Corporation Governance". The Strata Corporation administers the functioning of the community through a number of Strata Committees: Personnel, Communications, Finance, Civil Works, Community Planning, Grounds, Buildings & Facilities, Security and Promotions, each reporting through an elected Councillor. The 2006 census analysis report mentioned earlier shows the way the community has grown: 33% of the homes occupied had been built in 1986-90, 37% in 1991-95, 17% in 1996-2000 and 13% since 2001.
The Strata Council represents the owners internally, and in all matters regulated by the Act. Administration is carried out in accordance with the Act, and governed by the corporation's registered bylaws and rules. Strata Corporation staff is responsible for the overall operation and fiscal management
Additionally, the Arbutus Ridge Ratepayers Association (ARRA) was incorporated[20] on July 19, 1990, under the BC Society Act to represent homeowners in external matters such as health, transportation, public utilities, community growth and development, environmental protection and social amenities, all of which fall outside the scope of the Strata Property Act.
The community's volunteer Emergency Preparedness Organization integrates its efforts with those of the municipal CVRD Public Safety Department.[21]
On a monthly basis, the community publishes its own newsletter, “Ridge Talk”, which is circulated free to all residents. In this newsletter readers will find a calendar of upcoming events, articles on newsworthy topics and a variety of contributions from residents.
The Arbutus Ridge web site, www.arbutusridge.ca provides a broad array of current information. The public portion is of broader interest and is open to anyone going to this URL. The residents' section contains further information of specific interest to residents and is accessible only by using an Administration-issued username and password.
Services
Transportation
Arbutus Ridge is served by twice daily bus service provided by BC Transit, a crown corporation of the Province of BC. The #15 bus runs from Mill Bay in the south, to Valleyview Centre in the north. From these locations riders can transfer to other BC Transit buses integrated with the rest of the BC Transit[22] system, including commuter service to Victoria.
Arbutus Ridge is located approximately 2.4 km (1.5 miles) east of the Trans-Canada Highway (British Columbia Highway 1). It takes approximately 40 minutes to drive the 45 km (28 miles) to the provincial capital city of Victoria, and about 50 minutes to drive the 65 km (40 miles) north to the City of Nanaimo.
Shopping
Retail outlets offering all the essentials are located at Mill Bay Centre[23] in Mill Bay, 6 km south and at Valleyview Centre,[24] 7 km north, on the access road to Cowichan Bay. Both these centres are served by regular BC Transit bus service as noted above.
Shopping opportunities associated with larger urban centres are located in Duncan with a trading area population of 75,000, Nanaimo with a regional population of 140,000 and in greater Victoria with its 350,000 population.
Places of worship
There are no places of worship within Arbutus Ridge, although numerous churches are located within convenient distance in Mill Bay, Cobble Hill, Shawnigan Lake and Duncan. These include Anglican, Baptist, Catholic, Lutheran, Mormon, Presbyterian, Sikh Temple, United and a number of other faiths.
Regional recognition
A little more than a decade after the first homeowners moved into Arbutus Ridge, regional media were giving coverage to this relatively new trend in retirement living: The Victoria Times-Colonist, in November 2001 stated "Arbutus Ridge which was on the leading edge of the high-end retirement industry when it was started 13 years ago...is now nearly full."
"...Retirees never need to be bored. The leisure options include walking trails, arts and crafts, boating, bridge, tennis, swimming, exercise classes, fishing, computer seminars and woodworking."
"the Ridge...is enclosed by walls and guarded by a manned gate, 24 hours a day. Arbutus Ridge was the first (Vancouver) Island housing community to offer what has long been commonplace in many pricey US suburbs-locked gates shielding residents from the outside world.[25]
Commenting on the community's 15th anniversary celebration in 2003, the Cowichan Leader Pictorial commented: "nestled in a valley of lush trees, surrounded by spectacular ocean views, lies a quiet adult community that prides itself on providing the young at heart with the best Vancouver Island has to offer".[26]
Photo gallery
-
View from Arbutus Ridge as BC Ferries Spirit-Class vessel approaches Swartz Bay terminal with Mount Baker 125 km away
-
Oceangoing Freighter in the Strait of Georgia with Saltspring Island in the background -
Village Centre buildings viewed from the Lighthouse -
Swimming Pool with common-property Village Centre buildings in the background -
Residents enjoying the view out towards Washington's San Juan Islands -
Sunrise over Mount Tuam on Saltspring Island -
View of Cedar Crescent in the first phase of the residential development -
Mediterranean climate favours the numerous towering coastal Douglas fir trees and individual gardens like this
-
Marine Facilities provide Ridge residents recreational access to the Salish Sea, Gulf Islands, San Juan Islands and beyond -
View of Saltspring Island from the Arbutus Drive North viewpoint -
View of Saanich Peninsula with homes of the walk-out basement design in the foreground -
Saanich Peninsula with Panorama Ridge and Seaview Way in foreground -
View of Saltspring Island showing construction on Marine Drive integrated with the Ridge slopes
-
The Uplands, constructed during the second half of the development, viewed across ARGC's #15, 16 and 17 fairways -
ARGC #1 fairway looking beyond Arbutus Drive South, towards Mount Baker -
Lighthouse observation tower, landmark in the Village Centre
References
- ^ CVRD web page on Electoral Area C
- ^ BCStats Location Map
- ^ [Communication from the environmental professional who headed up CVRD's municipal planning function at the time of the Arbutus Ridge rezoning review.
- ^ Canada News Centre release on proposed Marine Conservation Area, October 13, 2011.
- ^ BC Government Brochure on Coastal Douglas-fir Zone Ecology
- ^ BC Real Estate Foundation “Comparative Land Use Typologies” survey report
- ^ [Down, Susan, "Retiring Style", Victoria Times-Colonist, June 3, 2000]
- ^ 2006 Census Survey, Arbutus Ridge
- ^ CVRD Electoral Area map
- ^ Arbutus Ridge Golf Course web site.
- ^ Cowichan Valley Citizen Coverage of CVRD taking over Arbutus Ridge water and sewer system operation, July 3, 2009.
- ^ Environment Canada—Canadian Climate Normals 1971–2000, accessed 10 July 2009
- ^ [BC Registry Services, Corporate Registry, information records for CRC Canadian Retirement Corporation, company identification BC0306659]
- ^ [CVRD Development Permit #1-C-870P to Crown Street Investments Ltd., April 9, 1987]
- ^ [The Land Title Office Victoria Land Title District, Strata Plan 1601.]
- ^ Tidman Construction Ltd., section on Arbutus Ridge projects
- ^ [Confirming letter from UDI, Pacific Region, dated February 01, 2012, from Maureen B. Enser, Executive Director]
- ^ [RBC Dominion Securities Inc., Initial Public Offering, “Arbutus Ridge Development Limited Partnership”, September 1, 1989.]
- ^ Bloomberg Business Week web page on Burrard International Holdings Inc.
- ^ [Ministry of Finance, BC Registry Services certificate of incorporation for Arbutus Ridge Ratepayers' Association, society S-0026437]
- ^ CVRD Public Safety Spring 2012 newsletter, page 3
- ^ BC Transit web site complete with route and schedule information
- ^ Mill Bay Centre web site
- ^ Valleyview Centre web site
- ^ [Rud, Jeff, “Cheers to a Great Place; More than ever, Island is a magnet for retirees”, Victoria Times-Colonist, November 11, 2001]
- ^ [Radke, Andrea “Ridgers Celebrate 15 Years; More than 500 homes now in what used to be a farmer's field”, Cowichan Leader-Pictorial, July 13, 2003]