Council met for about three hours during our Regular Council meeting on August 21, 2024.
My Mayor’s Report included the following:
- Earlier this summer, the Cowichan Watershed Board gave members of the Cowichan Valley Regional District Board and Cowichan Tribes Council with a tour of the watershed, which included a stop along the Cowichan River where we were given an overview of the challenges the low river flows are posing for the salmon population, and a visit to the Lake Cowichan weir, where we received an update on plans to replace this structure now that the Province has provided the final piece of funding, with $14 million committed as part of Budget 2024. Then Cowichan Watershed Board is hopeful construction of the new weir will begin in 2026, once details regarding ownership and water licensing are determined over the coming months.
- Last weekend, I joined members of the community to celebrate the completion of the Hillcrest Shay No. 1 restoration project at the Forest Discovery Centre. Originally built in 1920 by Lima Locomotive Works in Ohio, the Hillcrest Shay No.1 served our local forest industry for more than 40 years, before it was donated to the BC Forest Museum in 1965. Twenty-five years ago, the Shay locomotive was taken out of service due to its deteriorating condition, however, because of the dedication, hard work and commitment of the many volunteers, local businesses, and donors in our community, it was fully restored and brought it back into service this year. We now have the only operational shay locomotive in Canada, and a whole new generation of local residents and visitors can now enjoy this incredible vehicle just as many of us did growing in the Cowichan Valley.
Quarterly reports for April to June 2024 were presented by the RCMP and North Cowichan Fire Department:
- Acting Officer in Charge Ken Beard, from North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP, presented North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP’s quarterly report. Highlights included the detachment moving into its new building on May 21 with the grand opening on June 14; the Community Safety Unit continuing to work alongside bylaw members in the highway corridor area on foot and by bike; a bike safety rodeo being held for youth and adults on July 27 where participants learned bike safety from trained RCMP members; and the detachment launching its own Facebook page at facebook.com/NCDRCMP.
- Fire Chief Ron French, along with deputy chiefs Chris Jancowski and Jason deJong, presented the North Cowichan Fire Department quarterly report. Highlights included the fire department moving to a new office, with administration now located at 9921 Chemainus Road; the department registering with BC Wildfire Service to support the province if needed; and a recruitment drive for paid on-call members planned to take place this fall, with applications opening in September.
Jane Kilthei and Valerie Russell of the Cowichan Climate Hub presented to Council on the rapidly rising costs of climate change damage to our communities. They shared information about a B.C. legal campaign underway that aims to collect damages caused by climate change from oil producers.
Pete Smith, CEO of Sasquatch Resources Corp. presented on the company's Skw'aakw'unu (Mount Sicker) reclamation, remediation, and economic development project. The project uses new processing methods that could be implemented to reclaim and refine century-old mining operation waste materials. Council asked staff to prepare a report on the proposal.
Council approved a Development Permit amendment with variance for 3191/3253 Sherman Road. The permit for the Community Land Trust Foundation of B.C. facilitates a 92-unit apartment and townhouse development of co-op housing where 70% of the homes would be rented at below market rate, with a reduced rear yard setback from 8.0 metres to 3.08 metres and grants a two-year extension to the permit.
The recently adopted Council and Committee Procedures Bylaw saw a new agenda format, with the new ‘Statutory Right to be Heard’ section. Two items were adopted:
- The Business Licence Amendment Bylaw, which now aligns with the Council and Committee Procedures Bylaw.
- A Development Variance Permit for 6320 Crestwood Drive which allows for a reduced south side yard setback from 3 metres to 1.7 metres and increases the maximum permitted accessory building height from 5.0 metres to 5.85 metres for the construction of a garage at 6320 Crestwood Drive.
Also, as a result of the updated Council and Committee Procedures Bylaw, four policies were updated.
The 2025 Regional Recreation budgets for the Cowichan Aquatic Centre and Fuller Lake Arena were given pre-approval. These budgets will now be submitted to the Cowichan Valley Regional District.
Council heard findings from a Townend Road traffic study related to traffic volumes and speeds. Council directed staff to install ‘road narrows’ and ‘30km per hour maximum speed’ signage along the road.
Councillor Justice provided notice of a motion regarding the recent fish kill on Somenos Lake to be considered at the September 4, 2024 Council meeting.
The next council meeting is on Wednesday, September 4 at 5pm.
Thank you for reading and staying informed!
Rob Douglas, Mayor
Municipality of North Cowichan
T 250.746.3117
E rob.douglas@northcowichan.ca