Letter dated July 22, 2019 from Mayor Martin, City of Colwood, Re: Royal Bay Waterfront - Pre-Feasibility Study-Passenger Ferry

July 22, 2019

Town of View Royal 45 View Royal Avenue Victoria, British Columbia V9B 1A6

Attention: Mayor Screech

Dear Mayor Screech:

RE: Royal Bay Waterfront Pre-Feasibility Study-Passenger Ferry

The City of Colwood, in conjunction with BC Ferries has indicated an interest in providing a passenger ferry service from the Royal Bay waterfront to downtown Victoria. A pre-feasibility study suggests that a ferry connection between Colwood and Victoria may form part of an overall strategy to reduce traffic congestions and offer an alternative mode of transportation.

At a Colwood Council Meeting of Monday, July 8, 2019, the following resolution was passed:

"THAT the location of a passenger ferry terminal on the Royal Bay waterfront be supported in principle subject to further studies regarding potential impacts to the shoreline and capacity of the transportation infrastructure."

I am writing to you and your Council asking support of the above resolution, by considering passing the following resolution:

"THAT the Town of View Royal supports in principle the location of a passenger ferry terminal on the Royal Bay waterfront in the City of Colwood and a passenger ferry terminal in the City of Victoria, subject to further studies regarding potential impact to the shoreline, capacity of transportation infrastructure."

Early studies show that a passenger ferry has the potential to remove 1,000 vehicles out of the daily commute from the West Shore to downtown Victoria, and from Victoria to the Westshore, View Royal residents would benefit from reduced congestion along major routes and shorter, less stressful commutes and support the goal of the Climate Emergency Declaration your municipality has signed onto earlier this year.

If you are in support of the above, please forward your Resolution to my Assistant, Nora Brooks so that she may compile the supporting documentation and forward to the South Island Transportation planner showing our collective support for this initiative.

Respectfully,

Rob Martin Mayor