The Cowichan Valley Regional District said communication around its proposed Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw could have been clearer and outlined how it plans to proceed with public engagement.
Board chair Kate Segall said the bylaw remains in a preliminary phase and emphasized directors want to ensure the rules are fair and equitable across the region.
“No draft is perfect,” she said. “All the electoral area directors are dedicated in doing the work that it takes and making the revisions necessary for the zoning bylaw to support the community.”
Segall said the purpose of the bylaw is to consolidate several existing zoning bylaws and update older regulations while shaping land-use rules to meet current community needs.
“There are different zoning bylaws for each electoral area,” Segall said. “They’re inconsistent with what’s happening in our community, and the draft bylaw would consolidate all the others into one and introduce some new ones to include residential chickens, food trucks and farm stands.”
Recommendations had been put forward for a special meeting where the bylaw would have received first reading, but Segall said more work is needed before directors consider a vote.
“The draft isn’t ready to go to that stage,” she said. “We will be amending our recommendation on today’s (Apr. 1) agenda to ensure all the community engagement is completed and included in the draft before we have any bylaw reading, and we’ll also consider the option of a public hearing.”
During a rally held March 31 in Duncan, British Columbia, concerns were raised about food security and the potential impacts the bylaw could have on local food production.
Photo credit: Justin Baumgardner, VistaRadio
“Area directors are paying very close attention to any regulations that may have unintended consequences regarding agriculture,” Segall said. “We want to support food security across the region.”
According to the regional district, other points of discussion in the proposed bylaw include regulations around food trucks and recreational vehicles.
Segall said food trucks are currently allowed only in the Skywalk area under existing bylaws and the draft would expand where they could operate.
“The new bylaw would allow them in the entire area,” she said.
Segall estimated adoption of the bylaw could happen in September, but said no timeline has been finalized while revisions and public consultation continue.
