Focussed Growth -
let's keep North Cowichan a community of communities
North Cowichan is a community of communities -- each with it’s own character and natural growth area.
The Official Community Plan (OCP) sets out "urban containment boundaries" UCB - that will preserve our rural character while accommodating growth. UCB’s prevent leap-frog development, which is costly, both environmentally and socially. They help us to plan communities in a phased way.
The OCP uses Urban Containment boundaries, UCB’s to focus growth, as rural growth greatly increases taxes over time. Though developers initially contribute to infrastructure such as services for water and sewer, time they age out and and need replacement which goes on property taxes across the municipality. Equally as important, UCB’s protect farmland, forests, waterways, habitat and rural character and the biodiversity all life depends on.
The municipality during the last term partnered with Avi Friedman and his students from McGill University, who created designs for affordable housing that protect green space and creates common space Using two municipally owned properties. I would like Council to revisit those designs ideas in general and to consider ways to provide the same number of units on the old Chemainus Elementary school site on the school’s brownfield footprint and create in perpetuity, community green space on the rest. A cooperative housing project, row housing, an apartment or Avi’s ideas could house the same number of people there on so much less land.
North Cowichan is a community of communities -- each with it’s own character and natural growth area.
The Official Community Plan (OCP) sets out "urban containment boundaries" UCB - that will preserve our rural character while accommodating growth. UCB’s prevent leap-frog development, which is costly, both environmentally and socially. They help us to plan communities in a phased way.
The OCP uses Urban Containment boundaries, UCB’s to focus growth, as rural growth greatly increases taxes over time. Though developers initially contribute to infrastructure such as services for water and sewer, time they age out and and need replacement which goes on property taxes across the municipality. Equally as important, UCB’s protect farmland, forests, waterways, habitat and rural character and the biodiversity all life depends on.
The municipality during the last term partnered with Avi Friedman and his students from McGill University, who created designs for affordable housing that protect green space and creates common space Using two municipally owned properties. I would like Council to revisit those designs ideas in general and to consider ways to provide the same number of units on the old Chemainus Elementary school site on the school’s brownfield footprint and create in perpetuity, community green space on the rest. A cooperative housing project, row housing, an apartment or Avi’s ideas could house the same number of people there on so much less land.
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My Commitment
To support the Official Community Plan (OCP), as adopted, the Climate Action and Energy Plan (CAEP), Parks and Trails Masterplan, and when passed the Master Transportation Plan and the Biodiversity Plan. To continue to encourage cost-effective, low-impact growth such as secondary suites, carriage houses, Co-operative Housing, tiny homes when BC Building Code allows them and infill building in our core areas such as around Chemainus, Crofton, the University Village area and Bell MCKinnon, adjacent to the new Regional Hospital and Berkey’s Corners. Discuss with Council and staff whether it would be adequate to require sprinklers in ceilings, between floors for the creation of basement suites, rather than the more expensive current fireproofing. To continue to work for the best long-term results, not just a quick fix. A quick stopgap when possible, as a step towards a defined long view solution. Rather than having all grants from senior government towards affordable housing go to large developments, adding an opportunity for homeowners to add secondary suites or garden suites with senior government grants based on a commitment to keep them affordable for those with lower incomes for a predetermined period of time may indeed be less expensive than funding large builds. To keep carefully considering, with each decision, what kind of community we're leaving for our grandchildren. Whether we're closing doors for them and laying burdens on their shoulders, or opening options for them to make their future here. |
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