Waterfront User Needs Assessment & Detailed Design RESPONSE TO COMMENTS

Transcription

1 Waterfront User Needs Assessment & Detailed Design RESPONSE TO COMMENTS Town of Cobourg Presentation to Council Monday July 3, PM 1

2 Response topics Opportunity to clarify and correct misinterpretations on the plan and process 1. Community feedback 2. Ecology / environment 3. Who are boaters 4. Boating statistics / demand in Cobourg 5. Marina expansion 6. Shared use of harbour 7. Travel lift 2

3 1. Community feedback Community was engaged in numerous ways throughout the study 30 groups / organizations represented at stakeholder meetings household survey (2000 responses) 15 user groups/service club survey respondents 71 business survey respondents 3

4 1. Community feedback Community was engaged in numerous ways throughout the study comment sheets design charrette 455 people signed in at 9 workshops/charrette session and dot exercise 4

5 1. Community feedback Community was engaged in numerous ways throughout the study this study engaged a wide range of individuals and is representative of the larger community groups providing delegations represent a small fraction compared to the total number of people engaged in this process 5

6 1. Community feedback 15% for dot exercise was NOT the only means of accounting for public interest matrix was used to help organize 83 recommendations ALL of the criteria are based on community need and benefit suggestion that 85% of matrix was geared towards the benefit of others (Town and visitors) is FALSE 6

7 1. Community feedback 15% for dot exercise was NOT the only means of accounting for public interest 15% was used to not over represent or unfairly weight the input of the approximately 90 people who came to the event the 83 recommendations and their prioritization are in the best interest of the entire community (citizens and groups) 7

8 2. Ecology / environment The plan significantly improves the waterfront s natural environment a significant portion of the waterfront is being deliberately protected as natural habitat (headland, west beach and breakwalls) PLAN B Natural Heritage has confirmed that additional slips west side of the centre pier will have absolutely NO IMPACT on waterfowl or migratory birds 8

9 3. Who is a boater? This plan accommodates all boaters sailing, power boating and paddling are all legitimate uses of the harbour dragon boats are 12 metres long (39 feet) - longer than many sail boats and power boats in the harbour new accessible dock is proposed on west side of harbour for paddlers (canoes, kayaks and SUP) many of the recommended improvements will benefit all boaters - especially paddlers 9

10 4. Boating statistics On June 4th we heard a lot of statistics that were INCORRECTLY used despite the rate of increase in paddling sports, pleasure craft still account for MORE boaters and is a growing segment of the market Touristics business plan thoroughly assessed the Cobourg market and has confirmed there is significant demand for slips and other services that the Marina can capitalize on 10

11 4. Boating statistics On June 4th we heard a lot of statistics that were INCORRECTLY used comparison to Kingston was made using wrong numbers ( Kingston has only 400 municipal slips ) there are 650 City owned slips in Kingston (250 at Portsmouth Harbour and 400 at Flora McDonald) including slips at privately owned marinas and yacht clubs there are 1,514 slips in Kingston 11

12 4. Boating statistics On June 4th we heard a lot of statistics that were INCORRECTLY used regardless, marinas are not built based on a per capita slip ratio marinas are built because there is an appropriate location and sufficient demand to support that number of slips 12

13 4. Boating statistics Data support the fact that demand for additional slips will continue to grow according to Census Canada data the population of Cobourg and Northumberland County is projected to grow from 67,210 (2017) to 77,240 (2033) Final Report Exhibit 26 page

14 4. Boating statistics Data support the fact that demand for additional slips will continue to grow according to Statistics Canada, General Social Survey and Ontario Ministry of Tourism Culture and Sport participation in power boating and sailing are projected to increase there will be more power and sail boaters in Cobourg and Northumberland County Final Report, Table 5 page 20 14

15 4. Boating statistics Data support the fact that demand for additional slips will continue to grow seasonal slips in market area for Cobourg Marina are above maximum practical capacity with 12,033 of 12,613 occupied in 2017 (i.e. 95.4%) Final Report,Table 2 page 12 means there is insufficient capacity in the area to accommodate the projected growth in the number of boats requiring a slip during the boating season 15

16 4. Boating statistics Data support the fact that demand for additional slips will continue to grow Interviews with the National Marine Manufacturers Association Canada, boating associations and independent boat builders in Canada indicate the number of boats in Ontario typically requiring marina slips (i.e. 26 feet or more in length) will grow from 55,722 in 2017 to 84,470 by 2033 Final Report, EXHIBIT 13 page

17 4. Boating statistics Data support the fact that demand for additional slips will continue to grow Transport Canada Pleasure Craft Licensing indicated that since 2015 there were 15,326 additional pleasure craft in Ontario in 2016 and 16,781 in 2017 Final Report, EXHIBIT 12 page

18 4. Boating statistics Data support the fact that demand for additional slips will continue to grow Touristics has used these or similar sources in over 50 marina projects around the world to determine whether or not there was sufficient demand for a new or expanded marina Touristics did the market study that led to the number and size of slips at the newly opened Trent Port Marina in Quinte West. 18

19 5. Marina expansion We have recommended additional slips because it makes good business sense there is no room for expansion east of the Centre Pier west side of centre pier is already part of the active harbour (over 400 boats dock in this area and almost 1000 boats use the launch each year) there is nothing special or unique about the area west of the Centre Pier 19

20 5. Marina expansion We have recommended additional slips because it makes good business sense maximizing use of the harbour is supported by the majority of the public additional slips will address local demand and help reduce the wait list additional slips will generate even greater net profit than current marina operation in a do nothing scenario taxpayers have to assume a greater financial responsibility over future Harbour 20

21 6. Shared use of harbour There is more than enough space for all types of boating in the harbour additional slips (100) represents a 14% increase in the number of boats Survivor Thrivers and CDBCC already acknowledge that there are currently no conflicts between boaters paddling routes can be accommodated with some additional dredging 21

22 6. Shared use of harbour There is more than enough space for all types of boating in the harbour argument of waves at mouth of harbour only applies a few days a year turning radius argument not rational given current route and a proposed route that provides the same area for turning (new route is more gradual) groups have resisted working with the Town fearing that conceding ANY space will be the thin edge of the wedge 22

23 7. Travel lift A travel lift makes good business sense and provides benefits to ALL Cobourg Yacht Club will no longer operate boat lifting services with a crane due to concerns about safety and liability requires a fraction of the staff to operate vs a crane and doesn t require road closures views of harbour will not be impacted: lift is mobile will be moved when not in use 23

24 7. Travel lift A travel lift makes good business sense and provides benefits to ALL provides important service to seasonal boaters will create opportunity for additional ancillary boater services (i.e. lift out for emergency repair, surveys, hull washes) and increased marina revenue 24

25 7. Travel lift 25

26 7. Travel lift 26

27 7. Travel lift A travel lift makes good business sense and provides benefits to ALL will attract additional boaters to Cobourg leading to higher revenues more efficient use of boat storage more users will lead to more revenue for the Town without the travel lift there is a risk that some seasonal boaters will move to other marinas 27

28 7. Travel lift A travel lift makes good business sense and provides benefits to ALL business plan demonstrates that the travel lift will generate sufficient profit to cover operating costs and principal and interest payments, and will provide a net profit boaters will pay for a travel lift - NOT TAX PAYERS will pay for itself over 15 to 20 years (or sooner) 28

29 Conclusions plan is based on the most extensive community consultation process ever undertaken in Cobourg - careful review of all user group needs - none of the recommendations significantly impact their use - allows for full enjoyment by all while some have expressed objections to a few of the recommendations in the plan, the majority of those we have consulted with are in favour of the recommendations (including additional slips) 29

30 Conclusions 83 initiatives organized into 24 projects long range vision for the waterfront (24 year plan) plan is flexible; future Councils will determine if, when and how these projects are implemented further detail is not realistic until the surveying, site planning, design and construction phase of specific projects (e.g., shoreline engineering) 30

31 Conclusions profits from the marina will help pay for this plan recommendations maximize revenue to reduce the burden on the tax payers 31

32 Questions? 32