Governance
- The City of Nelson flows encompasses suburban
and mixed rural areas. Residents throughout the region travel
to Nelson for work, recreation, etc. But, the municipality and
regional district areas E and F are governed under provisions
of different provincial acts.
Arts and Culture
- The Nelson area is known throughout B.C. as a cultural centre.
Despite low public financial support, the arts and culture sector
injects an estimated $8 to $10 million into Nelson's economy every
year.
Education
- Education is a multi-million dollar business in the area. As
the human resource potential for educational offerings is expanding,
tapping into this market and "learning the selling of learning"
is an issue.
Food Self-Sufficiency
- Nestled in a valley, Nelson and area
has a very limited commercial agriculture base. The challenge
for the area is to make greater use of the limited agricultural
potential available and to encourage and support local producers
in their efforts to develop stable markets for their businesses.
Forestry and
Land Management - Interrelated concerns
regarding land use which involve municipal and regional land zoning,
as well as private land use include the maintenance and enhancement
of watersheds, wildlife habitat, viewscapes and biological diversity.
Air Quality
- The air quality in the Nelson area
generally meets or exceeds existing air quality objectives. However,
the challenge is to maintain this quality despite growing pressures
from development and increased commuter traffic in the area.
Housing
- Family incomes have not kept pace with
increases in home prices in recent years - thus, fewer families
qualify for mortgages. Vacancy rates have hovered around the zero
mark and there is no incentive to build rental housing as building
costs are too high to yield a return on investment. There is also
a shortage of affordable housing for seniors.
New Sectors
- Encouraging the development of information technology, the value-added
wood sector, environmental services, wellness/self development
services, tourism services, arts/crafts, and film/video.
Population
Density - The City is facing pressure
to grow with the influx of new residents, while at the same time
having difficulty providing amenities for the current day resident
population.
Mobility
- Many seniors and disabled are held captive
and lonely in their homes during the winter.
Safety
- Building a "sense of community" by promoting safety
and strengthening neighbourhoods.
Small &
Medium Sized Business - Keeping abreast
of technological change, continuing to fill gaps in locally available
services and to support entrepreneurial activity, and improving
services to encourage support of businesses.
Tourism
& Outdoor Recreation -
Nelsonites want to attract visitors who share their love of the
area and its qualities.
Transportation
- Nelson has become a destination community with only a minor
portion of the traffic passing through and providing little or
no economic/social impact. As a result, parking and automobile
pollution are issues.
Waste Management
- The community does not have a waste management
crisis - it has a materials handling crisis. Too often materials
are being discarded as waste, when in fact they are resources
which have value and can sustain the local industry.
Water
Quality - Nelson has one of the
best records for consistent water quality in the Kootenays because
there is no public access to the city watershed. However, the
rural areas draw their water from a variety of sources, thus water
quality and quantity varies considerably by property. Public education
on water quality and quantity and planning are issues.
Community Partnerships
- There is a need to develop community
partnerships and address social issues through a "Social
Planning Council".
