Council met for about five hours during our Regular Council meeting and Public Hearing on May 20, 2026.
During my Mayor’s Report, I shared the following updates:
- With Cowichan Tribes recently assuming full ownership and operations of Chances Cowichan casino, I joined Chief and Council, community partners, and supporters to celebrate the transition. Chances Cowichan will continue supporting local arts, culture, and recreation groups while advancing economic self-determination.
- I joined Rick Martinson, President of the Cowichan Trail Stewardship Society, to tour recent improvements to the Lower Xylem and Phloem trails on Maple Mountain in the Municipal Forest Reserve. Supported by a $10,000 donation from 100 Who Care Cowichan, the work helps maintain safe, sustainable trail access, including for adaptive mountain bike users.
- Alongside Councillor Justice, municipal staff and project partners, I toured the Sherman Road Housing Project currently under construction. The 94-unit co-op housing development on municipal land will provide below-market rental housing and is progressing ahead of schedule, with completion anticipated in 2027.
Council reconsidered their May 6 decision that amended the hours of play at the Andy Hutchins Park pickleball courts to 9am to 5pm in order to address noise complaints raised by nearby residents, and instead directed the hours of play be limited to 9am to 8pm, in order to accommodate evening play. An amendment to update the hours in the Parks and Public Spaces bylaw was given first three readings.
Three zoning amendments were adopted:
- To permit a maximum of two residential buildings with a total combined maximum of two dwelling units, the smaller of which must not exceed 173.2 m2, at 6348 Somenos Road.
- To allow for the redevelopment of the existing commercial building at 9634-9644 Chemainus Road (former Green Lantern Inn and Pub) into a 15-unit apartment building.
- To reclassify 5850 Highland Avenue to Highland Avenue Comprehensive Development Zone (CD27) to facilitate a 20-unit townhouse development.
Two bylaws were adopted, following first three readings at the last Council meeting:
- The Fees and Charges Bylaw, to reflect reduced administrative fees for credit cards from 2.75% to 2.1%. In 2024, North Cowichan expanded the list of payments that could be made by credit card including utility fees and property taxes. The administrative fee is a cost recovery for the fees charged by credit card companies. An administrative fee is not added to transactions on credit card transactions at the Cowichan Aquatic Centre, Fuller Lake Arena, or for wharfage fees.
- The Reserve Funds Establishment Bylaw, which establishes a dedicated reserve for Community Amenity Contributions that are collected through zoning applications to fund infrastructure.
A zoning bylaw amendment to permit a maximum of two residential buildings at 5004 Oceanview Terrace was introduced and given first three readings.
Council approved a grant of $2,000 to the Duncan-Cowichan Festival Society to support the Duncan Days parade.
Council awarded a three-year janitorial services contract for the RCMP building to Alice’s Clean Sweep Services for a total cost of $754,581.44, including taxes.
Council endorsed the Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy. The strategy will guide how North Cowichan will support growing electric vehicle adoption through infrastructure, policy, partnerships, and municipal leadership. They also approved implementation of user fees for municipally owned public electric vehicle charging stations. The fees will improve charger availability, recover operating costs, and establish a funding source for future electric vehicle infrastructure. The $2 per hour user fee will take effect once the bylaw is adopted later this summer.
Council approved a letter to be signed by the Mayor to Indigenous Services Canada, expressing support for a proposed addition to the Halalt Indian Reserve #2. The letter outlines the support for the inclusion of the 22.6-hectare property at 8614 Amos Road subject to the existing servicing constraints in Chemainus (drinking water) and Crofton (waste water) being addressed by the provincial and federal governments.
Council adopted the Servicing Allocation Policy. This policy is the result of a March 25, 2025 staff report on the infrastructure constraints facing development in North Cowichan, and a February 18, 2026 report detailing the need for a servicing allocation policy. The policy clarifies how servicing allocations are determined at which stage of a development, along with a mechanism for reallocation of capacity from expired building permits.
Council received the 2026 Quarter 1 Strategic Plan update. Highlights from the first three months of the year include successful free admission Family Day events at the Cowichan Aquatic Centre and Fuller Lake Arena, new fitness equipment at the aquatic centre, playground upgrades at the Kinsmen Beach Park in Chemainus, and the groundbreaking for the 92-unit co-operative housing development on Sherman Road.
Three notices of motion, introduced at the last Council meeting, were discussed and actioned:
- Councillor Findlay’s motion regarding streamlining municipal bylaws and policies was defeated.
- Councillor Findlay’s motion regarding additional lead time and information for Council on agenda items was discussed and Council directed that staff prepare a report on options.
- Councillor Justice’s motion regarding protecting rural character and food security in North Cowichan was defeated.
A second public hearing was held for the commercial event space at #2 – 6380 Lakes Road (Oak + Vine). This second public hearing was required after new information was received by a member of Council following the first hearing on January 21 and provided the public with another opportunity to share input. Following the public hearing, Council adopted the zoning amendment which will allow up to 10 events per year with no more than 80 guests per event at the location. Additional requirements include entering into a good neighbour agreement with the municipality.
The next regular Council meeting will be held on June 17 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