Duncan Next to Ban Natural Gas? North Cowichan Committee meeting and Transportation Plan engagement.
Duncan Chamber hearing for step code !! MONDAY 4PM
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the rapid onslaught of changes around us? It appears to be a deliberate strategy to slip restrictive laws through, leaving the public bewildered about where to direct their opposition and fostering a sense of despair. Fortunately, there's a positive shift – local governments are experiencing increased engagement from a previously unheard segment of the public, one that doesn't simply echo agreement with their policies. As federal, provincial, and municipal taxes rise, individuals striving to work, live, and support their families are redirecting their focus toward scrutinizing local government policies. Keep being engaged folks!
MONDAY MARCH 4TH 4PM:
We saw folks come out in full force when North Cowichan proposed the same acceleration of the step codes. The room was packed, and in the second reading, Mayor Douglas made a speech which in its essence, told the concerned public that they will not be listening to, nor changing their minds on the climate agenda, and that everyone could vote in three years if they did not like that direction. His speech can be viewed here :
( other speeches against the step code acceleration can be viewed close to this video on Utube or our website coap.ca)
We have written extensively on this topic - here is an article if you want to get up to speed through either watching our videos or reading our content: https://wwind.ca/natural-gas-local-councils-and-energy-choices/
The Climate Hub sends their members, who often rely on a Chinese funded study linking Natural Gas to asthma in children, as delegations to local governments. You can read about here: https://wwind.ca/chinese-studies-sway-local-policy/
Summary :
On Monday The City of Duncan is expediting efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from new buildings as part of its updated official community plan, which received two readings at the council meeting on Feb. 20. Following a recommendation from Duncan’s Community Plan Advisory Committee, the council voted to push for the highest level of emission reductions outlined in the province’s Zero Carbon Step Code initiative in 2024, six years ahead of the provincial mandate.
Despite concerns raised at the council table, an amendment proposed by Coun. Mike McKinlay to delay full implementation of the new code until the provincial mandate in 2030 was unsuccessful. McKinlay expressed worries about potential backlash from the construction industry, arguing that if the province desires quicker implementation, they should take the lead.
The Zero Carbon Step Code empowers local governments to enforce lower emissions in new buildings, aligning with the CleanBC Roadmap to 2030. Builders may need to transition away from natural gas as the primary heat source, relying more on hydro-generated electricity. Fossil-fuel space heating and water-heating equipment are major contributors to GHG emissions from buildings in B.C. Coun. Garry Bruce questioned the feasibility of replacing natural gas, emphasizing its current infrastructure. He argued for maintaining natural gas, considering it a clean-burning fuel.
Coun. Jenni Capps acknowledged the province's commitment to the new code and stated that Duncan wouldn't be the first municipality to accelerate its adoption. She highlighted the limited control municipalities have over emissions and supported the committee's recommendation. Mayor Michelle Staples emphasized council's duty to advance such initiatives, aligning with the evolving landscape. The proposed bylaw to be added to the OCP (yet to be adopted) will undergo a public hearing on March 4 at 4 p.m. in the council chamber at City Hall.
North Cowichan Master Transportation Public Feedback:
Attend the open house on Thursday, March 7 from 4-7pm at the Cowichan Aquatic Centre (lobby/meeting rooms)
Complete the online questionnaire
Master Transportation Plan Feedback https://www.connectnorthcowichan.ca/mtp
Summery: A full draft of the North Cowichan Master Transportation Plan (MTP) is available and before it is provided to Council for adoption, we want to make sure we got it right.
Over the course of 2023, North Cowichan, in collaboration with the consulting team, finalized the analysis and recommendations for the MTP.
Download full PDF here: https://ehq-production-canada.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/02c4b442b1936930cf797b7511b960dafdd81fbc/original/1657747788/9a874eb52bc723cb5affb715bbe259a8_Municipality_of_North_Cowichan_Master_Transportation_Plan_Phase_2_Report_June_2022.pdf
Most people will not want to read the whole 200+ pages, and most reading this blog know full well what it contains, as these plans are the same from town to town: Reduction in funds allocated to roads to be put towards “active transportation” (biking, walking scootering), narrowing of roads to ‘discourage’ driving, bike lanes, bylaws to include electric bike lock ups, 40% reduction in car ownership, more electric car charging stations, “walkable” utopia etc.
Plans meant for some quint town in Wales possibly, but not in-line with our population’s needs, but hey folks, you will have to make big sacrifices to meet their climate ‘ goals’ in this heavily wooded part of the world, while the military industrial complex continues on BAU, and China continues it’s manufacturing spree…..
WED MARCH 6TH NORTH COWICHAN COUNCIL MEETING:
Historically North Cowichan is known for its difficulty to deal with in building, and for residents trying to add secondary homes on their property. In true fashion, N.C. is being asked to deny a family the usage of an existing suite above their garage, while at the same time being asked to approve another density build, that they now have asked to builder to reduce his units which will not allow for any affordable housing units. The 15 min city saga continues to burn folks in the valley:
Item 9.2 on the agenda has a family pleading to council for them to allow their children to live in an existing building:
Staff’s seemingly cruel recommendation:
“ Recommendation:
THAT Council deny Zoning Amendment Application ZB000196 to permit a detached accessory residential dwelling at 2524 Ashcroft Road as the property is outside the Urban Containment Boundary and does not meet the criteria set out in the Second Dwelling Rural Lands Policy.” This policy mentioned can be overridden by council if they so choose.
Then we move on to item 9.3 which sees the developer who originally presented a plan for a 5 story, 108 unit building with some affordable housing, subsequently asked by the MNC for a “Park” dedication removing the northern half of the subject property and Road dedication. The Owner is cooperating with the MNC and has offered to sell the “Park” dedication land to the MNC at fair market value for $1,415,000.00. ( your tax dollars)
This caused the developer to have to do a complete revision to the design and development was undertaken which included the ultimate property dimensions. It was determined that a single 6-storey residential building with 55 dwelling units. This represented a proposed FAR less than 2.5, a proposed site coverage less than 40% and a total building height less than 21.50M. After 3-1/2 years since their initial Zoning Amendment meeting with the MNC and over 5 months since their revised Zoning Amendment application was submitted (July 2023), the MNC introduced the “Drinkwater Road Frontage Improvements” in order to locate a new bus stop at the south-west corner of the subject site. This new statutory right of way imposed another reduction of the subject site once again. In addition the MNC recently increased the east-west bisecting road dedication from 17.7M to 20.0M resulting in an additional (40+/-SM) to be dedicated. Finally there was also two road corner cut dedications at both the north east corner and south east corner.
Developer’s architect : Regarding “affordable housing policy” – in consideration of the significant reduction in development potential of the site after the dedications combined with the economic impacts and reduction in the total number of dwelling units, unfortunately there remains no potential to integrate any “affordable housing” units at this time. 5. Regarding “community amenity contributions” – according to our records, the Owner/Developer promised to donate, in lieu of community amenity contributions and as a condition to the sale of the “Park” land to the MNC, upon the issuance of the Building Permit the total amount of $3,000/unit with the stipulation that the total amount donated would be allocated to the Municipal Park Reserve Fund and not to be simply allocated to a general reserve fund.”
So in summary it seems as if N.C. will be paying 1.5 million for parkland they will have to maintain, while still receiving $165k in “community amenity fees”, and now has a building with no affordable housing and a park.
Finally Item 13.1
Cllr. Justice is asking amongst many other considerations ( that can be found here: https://pub-northcowichan.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=15360 ) That their be a public meeting held in regards to the proposed overpass between the new high school and Tim Horton Area:
What this picture fails to leave out is that they want fences to run the length of the meridian that seems slightly dystopic, as well as a safety hazard if children need to escape something or run across the street.
This image looks as well to be an amazing undercover area for folks that may seek such areas.
While Cllr. Justice suggests a street level crossing, which may further congest the highway, he has a good motion to at least have a public hearing for something that looks as if it belongs in LA somewhere.
There were going to be some updates as to what we have been up to, but as the email is already so long, we will leave that for another day!
See you this week!
Sincerely, Team COAP