The Local Trust Committee has put out a survey to inform changes to our Official Community Plan (OCP) and Land Use (Zoning) Bylaw (LUB).
The survey is biased, lacks important background information, and is entirely focussed on growth—where should it go and what type should it be. There is no mention of the Islands Trust or of protecting the island from over-development. An important omission is any recognition that our current OCP includes a policy (B.2.1.2.1) limiting growth to affordable housing only. In effect, the LTC already has the ability to help create affordable housing without the need to weaken or eliminate that limit for the purpose of increased development.
However, this survey will be used to guide the new OCP and LUB, so please consider filling it out and adding your comments in the appropriate boxes. Read on for more information on filling out the survey.
Background and Information to Help You Fill Out the Survey
- Question #1 third option (Prioritize environmental protection and limiting growth, even if it means fewer housing options) is a restatement of a policy in our current OCP policy (B.2.1.2.1) that limits growth to affordable housing only.
- If none of the options apply, use the comments box to proceed with the survey.
- Question #1 uses the term “new infrastructure” but ignores the fact that water is scarce and that building new sewage treatment plants is not affordable.
- Question #4 omits the option of more “nature reserves.”
- Question #5 – Ganges is the only viable village for growth. This is where affordable and worker housing should go, but only with legal agreements to assure affordability.
- Question #6. When asking what housing is needed, our current zoning for single-family residences on various lot sizes, is not even given as a choice.
- Question #8 Choose one – long term rental housing with housing agreements to assure affordability.
- Question #9 New affordable housing should go in Ganges.