The Municipality of North Cowichan and Vancouver Island Providence Community Association have reached an agreement in principle for the sale of two vacant properties near Donnay Drive. The two lots, totalling 3.66 hectares (9.6 acres), are proposed to be purchased by North Cowichan for $1.163 million for the purposes of nature conservation and the development and preservation of a trail network.
The proposal follows the efforts of several nearby residents who petitioned Council to have the municipality purchase the land.
Council will be considering the formal authorization of the Local Area Service process to proceed at their September 17 meeting.
The acquisition is contingent on the approval of a Local Area Service (LAS), a funding mechanism outlined in B.C.’s Community Charter. Under this model, the cost of the land purchase would be borne by property owners within a defined distance of the properties. A total of 662 properties have been identified as the most likely to benefit from the new naturespace as they are within a 10-minute walk of the land.
How the LAS process works
The LAS process assumes that the acquisition of the land will proceed unless 50% of the 662 property owners oppose the initiative through a formal petition. Each property within the proposed LAS area is eligible to submit one petition in opposition. The petition period is open from October 1 to 31, and petitions in opposition to the LAS must be received by 4pm on October 31, 2025.
All affected property owners will receive a formal notice by mail outlining:
- A description of the proposed service
- A map of the LAS boundary
- Estimated costs and tax impacts
- Instructions for submitting an opposition petition
To stop the LAS and land acquisition from proceeding, the petition must be signed by:
- At least 50% of property owners, and
- Those owners must represent at least 50% of the total assessed value of all properties in the proposed LAS area.
If less than 50% of residents oppose the LAS, the land sale will be completed and properties within the LAS would see an annual charge of approximately $130 per year for 20 years added to their property tax bill (based on 4% interest over the length of repayment period). If the petition opposing the LAS is successful, the land sale will not move forward. Property owners will also have the option to pay the entire amount at once.
For more information, including maps, FAQs and information on the LAS process, visit connectnorthcowichan.ca/donnay-lands