Council met for about four-and-three-quarter hours during our Regular Council meeting and Public Hearing on May 21, 2025.
My Mayor’s Report included the following:
- I joined the Chemainus Rotary to discuss Council’s priorities and thank them for their longstanding contributions, including the Hul’q’umi’num signs at Wul’aam Park and the labyrinth in Waterwheel Park. Their outreach in Guatemala continues to inspire.
- Councillor Tek Manhas and I attended the opening of the Chinese Canadian Museum’s traveling exhibit Seat at the Table at the Forest Discovery Centre. This moving exhibit shares the stories of Chinese Canadians and their influence on B.C.’s development.
- Council celebrated Ginny Gemmell, who is retiring after 13 years of dedicated service in our Legislative Services department. Her support to Council and staff has been invaluable.
The Economic Development Action Plan was presented by Jamie Vann Struth, the project consultant from Deloitte. Shaped by extensive public and stakeholder input and funded by grants from the Province and the Island Coastal Economic Trust, this plan outlines five strategic priorities:
- Improve the local business climate
- Support the adaptation and resilience of traditional industries
- Nurture the growth of emerging economic opportunities
- Continue building an attractive sense of place
- Support the widespread adoption of regenerative economic principles.
The more than 40 actions outlined in the plan will be considered as part of Council’s annual business planning process later this year.
Rick Martinson, President of Cowichan Trail Stewardship Society, presented the 2024 annual report that provided a recap of the organization’s successes and achievements during the past year, including:
- Work upgrading trails on Mount Prevost (Swuq’us), Maple Mountain, and Tzouhalem (Pi’paam), including a complete makeover of North Cowichan’s signature mountain biking trail Double D.
- Sanctioning of new downhill mountain biking trails on Mount Prevost (Swuq’us).
- For the first time, revenue received through sponsorship, membership, and contributions surpassed funding provided by North Cowichan.
It was also noted that North Cowichan’s trails are getting worldwide recognition through events, races, video and film shoots, and notable local riders. Bike teams from across North America have been seen training on Mount Prevost ahead of World Cup circuit races as this is the only snow-free trail system of this type in Canada.
Two development variance permits were approved:
- To relax a non-riparian watercourse setback to accommodate an accessory building at 1072 Shore Pine Close
- To reduce the heat pump setbacks at 3055 and 3059 Abbott Place
A public hearing was held where members of the public were provided an opportunity to comment on an Official Community Plan (OCP) Amendment Bylaw to redesignate 3036 Juniper Road, 3037 and 3041 Henry Road from Industrial & Employment to Commercial, and a Zoning Amendment Bylaw to reclassify 9337 Trans-Canada Highway from Industrial Heavy (I2) to Commercial General (C2) and 3036 Juniper Road, 3037 Henry Road, 3041 Henry Road from Residential Rural (R1) to Commercial General (C2).
Following the public hearing, Council debated the bylaw amendments. The OCP amendment bylaw received third reading and adoption, and the zoning amendment bylaw received third reading. The purpose of the bylaw amendments is to allow the development of a fuel service station, a convenience store, two drive-thru restaurants, and commercial units.
A zoning amendment which proposes a site-specific zoning amendment to permit retail cannabis sales at 3055 Oak Street (Chemainus Village Square Shopping Centre) received first two readings. This item will proceed to a public hearing which will be scheduled at a future date.
Two zoning amendments received first three readings:
- To permit a detached accessory dwelling unit at 3118 Drinkwater Road received first three readings. A covenant to restrict the size of the dwelling unit and prohibit future subdivision will be registered on the title, after which Council can consider adoption.
- To permit the conversion of an existing garage into a detached accessory dwelling unit on 2901 Fuller Lake Road.
First two readings were given to an amendment to the Bell McKinnon Local Area Plan implementation bylaw to prevent low-density development. This item will now head to a public hearing.
An amendment to the Reserve Funds Establishment bylaw received first three readings. The amendments propose three changes:
- Consolidate the office vehicle and the machinery and equipment reserves into one reserve fund.
- Remove the COVID-19 safe restart grant fund, as this reserve was depleted in 2022 and is no longer needed.
- Include the building reserves fund, which was established during the 2024 budget process, in the reserve bylaw.
Council authorized the purchase of two used pick-up trucks for the Fire Department at a total cost of $110,000. These trucks will support fire prevention and inspections, and training and operations divisions.
Council also authorized an application to the Local Government Program Services Grant– Next Generation 911 Mobile Data Technologies Equipment funding stream for $100,000. If successful, this grant would support mobile data equipment for the Fire Department.
Council received the Q1 Council Strategic Plan update, for January 1 to March 31 2025. The report includes details of all actions and achievements toward Council’s strategic goals and directions. Some highlights include:
- Trail and culvert upgrades around Chemainus Lake trail
- The sale of the old RCMP building on Canada Avenue to Cowichan Tribes
- The unveiling of a totem and First Nations artwork at the new RCMP building
- Progress with the Community Land Trust on the affordable housing co-op project on Sherman Road
- Receipt of an infrastructure servicing modelling report by the director of engineering
- A 71% reduction in natural gas consumption ($27,175) at the Cowichan Aquatic Centre, thanks to new digital controls and a recommissioning of the heat pumps.
A notice of motion introduced on May 7 by Councillor Justice regarding the historic contamination of the Crofton waterfront was discussed. Council directed that staff provide a report that includes an overview and history of the copper smelting operations in Crofton in the early 1900s as well as recommended actions and advocacy to higher levels of government.
Two notices of motions were introduced. These will both be added to the June 4 Council agenda for discussion:
- From Councillor Bruce Findlay: An amendment to Building Bylaw to set the current Zero Carbon Emissions Level to match the province’s recommended level and to follow the province’s schedule for further changes to the Zero Carbon Step Code.
- From Councillor Tek Manhas: Changes to municipal director appointments to the CVRD that would appoint Councillors Manhas and Findlay as directors to the CVRD board, and Councillors Justice and Istace as alternate directors.
The next regular council meeting will be on Wednesday, June 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