The Municipality of North Cowichan and the City of Duncan met for just over an hour and a half on January 23, 2024, for a special joint council meeting hosted in Duncan’s council chambers. Joint meetings occur periodically and are an opportunity for both councils to discuss matters of shared interest.
During the meeting, Duncan and North Cowichan council members signed the Inter-Municipal Relationship Protocol document. The protocol outlines various ways the two municipalities can work together, explore common interests, and consider how decisions affect each other. It also commits to holding joint council meetings at least twice a year. The document is brought forward periodically for new council members to review and sign.
North Cowichan’s Director of Subdivision and Environmental Services presented an update on actions related to the Trans-Canada Highway Corridor Management Plan. This plan outlines infrastructure improvements to reduce traffic congestion and encourage active transportation between Boys Road and Beverly Street.
Both councils endorsed the recommendations to refresh the plan and request that the province cover one-third of the costs. In addition, North Cowichan and Duncan staff were directed to work together to prepare an implementation report outlining which recommendations in the updated plan could be accomplished over the next five years, including resource and budget implications.
The Director of Planning and Sustainability with the City of Duncan presented a report on the temporary residential use of recreational vehicles. The report noted that Duncan’s zoning bylaw prohibits the residential use of RVs, except for during the construction of a building, with the RV on the same property.
The Manager of Building and Bylaw Services with the City of Duncan presented an update of the Safer Community Plan that was adopted by North Cowichan and Duncan in 2019 to respond to the growing challenges related to street disorder. The presentation provided an overview of various initiatives implemented under the plan over the past four years. Both councils endorsed a recommendation to direct staff from both municipalities to review the plan and recommend changes.
The next joint meeting will take place later in 2024. The next North Cowichan Council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at 5pm.
Rob Douglas, Mayor
Municipality of North Cowichan
T 250.746.3117
E rob.douglas@northcowichan.ca