ISSUE 3 - DECEMBER 2004
Keeping in touch
My role as your spokesperson on the RDN Board of Directors is to bring our Electoral Area's issues to the table,and
to represent our neighbourhoods’ interests and concerns in the collective decisions made to benefit the
entire Regional District. For Electoral Areas, Regional Districts are the equivalent of municipal governments.
RDN Directors ensure the delivery of services including public transit, regional and community planning, fire protection, sewage treatment, solid waste management, recreation and parks, building inspection and bylaw enforcement, water supply, and emergency planning. In many cases,the RDN must work hand in glove with other agencies that also have responsibilities for a particular topic. An example of this is roads and highways, which are a Provincial responsibility, but which overlaps with the RDN's community planning responsibility.
As your elected voice on the RDN Board I am guided by two factors. First is your voices as Area A residents, I am always open to hearing your questions, concerns and suggestions about services provided by the RDN and will do my best to address them (my contact information is listed at the end of this Update). Secondly, I am guided by our Area A Official Community Plan (OCP). This document developed with considerable community effort and renewed every 5 years is our vision statement. It sets out our wishes for the look and feel of our neighbourhoods, and it forms the basis of planning for the future both at the individual lot level and for our Electoral Area as a whole. Our OCP is available on the RDN website at www.rdn.bc.ca. Click on Development, then Community Planning, then OCP Documents.
Later in this Update you will note an upcoming recreation survey for Area A. I have requested the RDN Board’s approval to carry this out as the question of having community- centered recreation has been raised on a number of occasions and from various sources. I will be providing more details on this survey via the RDN website and in my column in Take5 and would appreciate hearing directly your concerns and thoughts on this subject.
I would also encourage residents to consider volunteering for the Area A advisory committee for Parks and Greenspace. Appointments will soon be made for 2005. Serving on this committee is a rewarding way to contribute to our community. Acquisitions such as the Nanaimo River Regional Park and developing walking and historical trails provide a tangible way for each of us to help make this a better world while we enjoy its hospitality.
Two small reminders: if you are thinking about building or renovating, do give the RDN planners a call (toll- free, 1-877-607-4111). Our OCP and other bylaws apply to many housing and land-use issues, and taking this simple step can prevent costly and unnecessary delays later. Secondly, if you like maps at all, try out the RDNMAP feature on the RDN website. I hope everyone will have the best and warmest of holiday seasons, and extend my wishes for a bountiful New Year in 2005.
Henrik Kreiberg, Director,
Electoral Area A
Nanaimo River Regional Park Management Plan
The Regional District of Nanaimo is currently developing a five-year Management Plan to set guidelines for park development and policies for public use. Over the next five years, TLC will also be conducting environmental baseline assessments and inventory work on both park properties.
The RDN Nanaimo River Parks Management Plan includes components such as public safety, accessibility, environmental protection, park uses, development standards, economic development and operations and administration.
Preservation of habitat will be the primary consideration in all management activities. However,the plan will include trail development, better parking for vehicles and other provisions for us to enjoy the park in a sensitive and low-impact way. The RDN continues to consult with stakeholders about the plan, and held public open houses in February and September 2004. The Regional District of Nanaimo Committee of the Whole and the Regional District of Nanaimo Board will receive the plan for consideration in December 2004.
Beachfront Retaining Walls
Building a retaining wall on your waterfront property may seem like a good idea, but don ’t forget there are land use and environmental issues to think about. Before you get started, it ’s best to check with the RDN planning department to see what types of structures are allowed in your area. To help make this process easier for residents, the RDN is developing a policy about beachfront seawalls.
“We ’re trying to provide a consistent approach, and help reduce the impact on adjacent properties when one homeowner builds a wall, ”says senior planner Brigid Reynolds." She says that while a retaining wall may protect one property from erosion, it can disrupt currents enough to cause erosion in front of neighbouring properties. Over the long term, this can move the problem down the beach for other property owners, and be harmful to the marine ecosystem.
A property owner who wants to build a seawall needs to get approval from the RDN. Approvals are required prior to building. Walls must be located on the resident ’s property, and must be designed by a qualified professional. (If walls are over one metre in height,a building permit may be required.) The RDN encourages residents to determine whether they really need a retaining wall and to examine alternative methods, for example, bioengineering. If a retaining wall is deemed the only alternative,the RDN encourages the use of riparian native vegetation planted among the rocks to create a natural look and provide habitat on the marine foreshore.
Airport Update
The Regional District of Nanaimo Board and the Nanaimo Airport Commission are considering the details of the Official Community Plan and Land Use and Subdivision Bylaw amendments for the Nanaimo Airport lands.
As part of this application,the RDN will look at highway access issues at the Airport and the surrounding area. Also, the idea of entering into an agreement with Transport Canada is being explored to allow the RDN to protect the Airport ’s flight path. These issues will be identified and discussed at a public information meeting to be held prior to the Board considering any amendment to the OCP for Electoral Area A, or the zoning for the Airport lands.
The RDN looks forward to continuing its work with the Nanaimo Airport Commission in providing a valuable service to residents and our regional economy.
Recreation Needs Survey
A citizens ’survey about recreational services in Electoral A will soon give the Regional District of Nanaimo Board a clear idea about the kinds of programs, facilities and services residents are looking for.
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| Morden Colliery Trail provides the perfect setting for a brisk winter walk. |
Some Area A residents have expressed an interest in a locally-based recreation function to provide services for residents.In 1996, Area B residents went this route, by establishing a local service area for Gabriola Island recreation, while continuing to partner in the District 68 Sportsfield and Recreation Services Agreement. To create the local service area, Gabriola residents participated in a community needs survey, and reviewed an RDN- prepared recreation services plan outlining the nature of the planned recreation services and the costs to residents. Finally, they approved the new recreation services function by referendum.
In Area A,a similar process is proposed, and a recreational services survey is now being considered for the spring of 2005. If the survey goes forward the RDN Board will receive a report on its findings. Based on the report results, the Board may decide to schedule an Area A recreational services referendum for November 2005, at the same time as the local government elections.
