Council met for about four-and-a-half hours during our Regular Council meeting and Public Hearings on June 18, 2025.
My Mayor’s Report included the following:
- Council was honoured to attend the unveiling of Shq’apthut – The Gathering Place in Waterwheel Park, Chemainus. This remarkable public artwork by Penelakut artist Maynard Johnny Jr. celebrates Coast Salish heritage and was made possible through the leadership of the Chemainus Festival of Murals Society and a strong network of community partners.
- I recently joined our Member of Parliament Jeff Kibble, MLA Debra Toporowski, and Councillor Tek Manhas at Queen Margaret’s School for the 744 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron Annual Ceremonial Review. The Air Cadet Program is a valuable partnership that supports youth leadership and development through collaboration between federal and local organizations.
- Last week I presented to the Grade 12 political science class at Chemainus Secondary School on the role of municipal government and our relationship with other levels of government. Thank you to Principal Jamie Doyle and the students for their thoughtful questions and engagement.
After considerable discussion, Council voted to align the Zero Carbon Step Code Emissions Level with the minimum requirement set out in the B.C. Building Code, which is currently EL-1. The Zero Carbon Step Code provides guidelines for a new building’s carbon performance and aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in new construction while enhancing energy efficiency. As municipalities have the option to adopt higher emissions standards ahead of the provincial timeline, Council had previously implemented EL-3 in January 2024 and EL-4 in July 2024, consistent with other Vancouver Island and BC municipalities. With the recent decision, North Cowichan will now amend the Building Bylaw follow the provincial schedule, forecasting EL-3 by 2027 and EL-4 by 2030 for new buildings.
A zoning amendment to permit a detached accessory dwelling unit at 3118 Drinkwater Road was approved.
The Waste Collection Bylaw was given first three readings and the Contamination Management Policy was adopted. The updated bylaw incorporates changes needed to reflect the new automated curbside collection of garbage and organics such as set out criteria, cart size options, and how lost, damaged, or stolen carts will be addressed.
- The Contamination Management Policy outlines the procedures and consequences associated with contamination incidents for garbage, organics, and recycling waste streams.
- Staff shared that a new video that shows options for keeping kitchen waste and organics clean is now available.
The 2024 North Cowichan Annual Report was received for information. The B.C. Community Charter stipulates that local governments must prepare an annual report by June 30 of each year. This year’s report focuses on progress made on key issues, including support for affordable housing, North Cowichan’s compliance with the province’s Bill 44 requirements, continued leadership in support of the Climate Action and Energy Plan, and the adoption of the Master Transportation Plan. It includes highlights of completed policies or actions from Council’s 2019-2022 Strategic Plan.
Early consideration of an Official Community Plan amendment to support a zoning amendment and subsequent bare land strata subdivision at 3499 Henry Road was considered. Council directed staff to prepare a report on how to implement a new land use designation site specific to 3499 Henry Road; and to clarify the issues around Bill 44, and other issues associated with how this would be implemented.
Council re-affirmed a previous motion for directing staff to bring forward an Official Community Plan bylaw amendment to expand the urban containment boundary and change the land use designation to facilitate the rezoning or 13.4 ha (33 acres) residential and mixed-use development north of Herd Road in the Bell McKinnon area. Council did not support a staff recommendation to require the applicant to prepare a financial impact assessment to evaluate previously presented projections regarding community amenity contributions, development cost charges and tax revenue.
Councillor Istace’s motion regarding a Cowichan Trail Stewardship Society Adopt-a-Trail sponsorship program was discussed. Staff will provide a report back to Council at a later date.
Council discussed possible topics for Minister meetings during the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) convention in September. The convention provides an opportunity for council members to meet with provincial ministers to discuss topics of high interest. Topics suggested include forestry and mills, Chemainus wells, Quamichan Lake, Cowichan outfall relocation costs, housing, infrastructure challenges, street disorder, pedestrian overpass near Quw’utsun Secondary School, and the Crofton ferry terminal.
I introduced a notice of motion that will be considered at the July 16, 2025 Council meeting. The motion would authorize me as Mayor to write to the Minister of Transportation and Transit and urge a more active role in resolving the BC transit strike in the Cowichan region.
Staff will be bringing forward a report on a proposal from a member of the public regarding memorial trees in public spaces which can be used to honour people who have passed away as a result of the opioid crisis.
Staff will also be bringing forward a report on the creation of a bike park in the parking lot at the Cowichan Sportsplex.
During the public hearing members of the public were provided an opportunity to comment on three items:
- An amendment to the Bell McKinnon Local Area Plan implementation bylaw to prevent low-density development, which then passed third reading.
- A zoning amendment which proposed a site-specific zoning amendment to permit retail cannabis sales at 3055 Oak Street (Chemainus Village Square Shopping Centre) was defeated.
- A zoning amendment bylaw that will remove reference to and repeal of the Temporary Mobile Home Bylaw passed third reading. A secondary motion directed staff to prepare a report on options for addressing the 23 legal non-conforming properties.
The next regular council meeting will be on Wednesday, July 16 at 5 pm.
Thank you for reading and staying informed!
Rob Douglas, Mayor
Municipality of North Cowichan
T 250-746-3117
E rob.douglas@northcowichan.ca