As your spokesperson on the Regional
District of Nanaimo Board of Directors,
my role is to represent the interests,
needs and concerns of the citizens of
Electoral Area F.
My purpose on the RDN Board is to bring your issues to the table, while assisting in making collective decisions to benefit the entire Regional District.
British Columbia is divided into 27 Regional Districts,or local government areas. These districts provide a flexible form of general government that includes both municipalities and non-municipal areas. Representation is based on population.
The Regional District of Nanaimo includes Electoral Areas A through H, as well as the municipalities of Qualicum Beach, Parksville, Lantzville and Nanaimo. Its 17 elected Directors ensure that services are delivered on a cooperative, regionwide basis, or within selected local areas. These services include public transit, regional and community planning, fire protection, sewage treatment, solid waste management, recreation and parks, building inspection and bylaw enforcement, water supply, general administration and emergency planning.
As your elected voice on the Regional District of Nanaimo Board, I am always open to hearing your questions, suggestions and concerns about services provided by the RDN in Area F. I am also committed to keeping residents informed about RDN projects and initiatives, both locally and region-wide.
Lou Biggemann, Director
Electoral Area F
Zoning in Area F
I encourage any residents who have questions about Area F zoning regulations to contact the Regional District of Nanaimo Planning Department to determine if proposed land development activities are consistent with applicable bylaws and policies,and to determine the required approval processes that may apply. The RDN has adopted an Area F Official Community Plan (OCP) following a lengthy public consultation process. This plan sets out the long- range planning goals, objectives, and policies for Area F. The OCP also establishes Development Permit Areas that are intended to ensure appropriate form and character of development and subdivision, protection of the natural environment, or protection from hazardous conditions. Land within a Development Permit Area may not be subdivided, developed, or altered unless a Development Permit is issued.
“Regional District of Nanaimo Electoral Area F Zoning and Subdivision Bylaw No.1285,2002 ”provides land use, siting,and subdivision regulations for all of Electoral Area F. Therefore,all land use and development in Area F is subject to the regulations contained within this bylaw.
Mapping Information Now Online
An interactive web-based mapping system called RDNMAP is now available to the public on the RDN website, at www.rdn.bc.ca. This system allows users to obtain property information including zoning, addresses, development permit areas, and legal descriptions. Users can also search for property information based on a number of search criteria, including parcel identification numbers, addresses, plan numbers and road names. The OCP and other bylaws are also available on the RDN website. It is worthwhile taking the time to familiarize yourself with this system, as it is a very useful time saving tool. Please be aware that this information is provided for convenience only, and any information obtained from this site should be confirmed with the RDN office.
The RDN Planning Department may be reached at (250)390-6510 or toll free at 1-877-607-4111.Questions about land use and development regulations should be directed to Jason Llewellyn, Manager of Community Planning,at the above number.
Corcan Road
The Regional District has asked Kevin Falcon, Minister of Transportation, to focus on a review of traffic concerns on Corcan Road. Hopefully, this project will be a Ministry priority in 2005-2006. Corcan Road provides the only access to Qualicum River Estates, and the recent rate of growth in the area means residents are growing unhappy with the volume and speed of traffic in this neighbourhood.
Area H Director Dave Bartram and I recently met with the Ministry ’s Regional Manager, Bonnie Whipple, about the traffic issue. As a result of that meeting, the RDN Board passed a resolution that the Ministry of Transportation work with RDN staff to investigate short-and-long-term solutions to resolve the traffic flow problems. Director Tom Krall,the RDN representative to the Vancouver Island Transportation Advisory Committee, has also forwarded the issue and the community ’s concerns to this committee for review.
Melrose Terrace Water System
The Regional District of Nanaimo is getting prepared to take over the ownership,operation and maintenance of the Melrose Terrace water system, and should be officially in charge of the system by early 2005.
The Melrose Terrace water system is privately operated, and services a Coombs-area strata development containing 28 properties. Earlier this year, members of the strata asked whether the RDN would consider managing the system. Upon receiving this request, the RDN Environmental Services Department prepared a budget and capital plan, and made a public presentation to give residents an idea of what RDN ownership would involve. Property owners then took part in a petitioning process,so the Regional District could determine whether or not there was public support for an RDN- run system.
The RDN has now received sufficient petitions to support moving ahead with the Melrose Terrace project,and establishing and borrowing bylaws have been prepared for final consideration and adoption by the Board.
Fire Protection Area Expansion
Recently, the Regional District of Nanaimo Board extended the Coombs- Hilliers Fire Protection Area to include 10 Cameron Lake properties that previously were not covered by fire protection.
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| Coombs-Hilliers Deputy Fire Chief Aaron Poirier,Electoral Area F Director Lou Biggemann and Coombs-Hilliers Fire Chief Don Brittain with the Fire Department ’s new, one-of-a-kind fire engine. |
New Fire Engine
The Coombs-Hilliers Fire Department now has a new fire engine,as part of its program to upgrade its fire protection equipment.The Fire Department ordered the pumper-tanker in July,and it is now in operation within the Fire Protection Area. Recreation and Parks Update With help from community members, the Regional District of Nanaimo ’s Recreation and Parks and Mapping departments recently planned out a proposed trail and low-traffic road network for Electoral Area F. This trail network would use undeveloped road allowances in Errington and Coombs to help residents get around without having to navigate through traffic on Errington Road,Grafton Road and other busy routes.This project started out as a community initiative,and has been in the works for more than a year.
When completed,the trail network will provide residents with better access to parks and green spaces,and open up undeveloped public land for safe public use.
Now that the RDN has prepared a map of this proposed trail network,the next step is to take the plan to the public. The RDN will be contacting neighbours of the undeveloped road allowances to see how they feel about the plan,and will also arrange a public meeting at the Bradley Centre once the affected neighbours have had the chance to comment on the initiative.
If you would like more information about the proposed Area F trail network,call RDN Parks and Trails Coordinator Joan Michel at 248-3252.
