June 21, 2011.
Tonight is the final opportunity to hear the local trust's proposed new bylaw. After this evening, there is no further public input allowed.
Instead of mapping the island streams/sensitive areas, in order to comply with the provincial government riparian rights legislation, the local trustees are wanting to create a new DPA (development permit area) bylaw, which will blanket 60% of the Island.
All properties within this "grid" will have to prove a negative...property owners will have to hire a non-local third party expert, to see whether or not one's property will be affected by the riparian rights legislation: cost of same is reportedly a minimum of $4500. If not affected, one still has to approach the trust office for a final approval of the permit (a cost to this??).
However, if I understood the trust planners at a recent meeting, to explain to the realtors on island what was occurring, it's still up to the planner/trustees whether you will get a development permit for your property, in spite of the third party (& paid for, at property owner's expense) "all clear".
With mapping, everything is visible and the law is even. Without mapping/the creation of a new DPA bylaw, it becomes a case by case decision by someone who is paid by the trust.
Is this a fiefdom?
Of the 32 realtors left in the "biz", after the severe economic downturn, only half turned up at this meeting with the planners.
By law, realtors must share with buyers even the "possible" of change, not just the "actual". This proposed bylaw must be explained to all potential buyers, even though not yet a "given".
Realtors don't have to agree or disagree, but they must tell their buyer client base about the proposal...it's the Real Estate Services Act of B.C. law!
It was disturbing that all realtors were not at the planners information meeting. It's also disturbing that the trustees have not made sure that all property owners are aware of this proposed bylaw.
The rush to push this poorly understood bylaw, with scant public exposure, through is also against the local trustees adherence to the "precautionary principle" doctrine.
This is such an important issue...potentially afflicting the Island at a time when economic conditions are inhibiting community health in all secondary home/discretionary areas, including on Salt Spring.
Everyone on Salt Spring is an environmentally aware being...we all treasure this ethic. That is not what this is about.
If you own property on Salt Spring and don't know about this, make your voice heard.
If you're on Island, it's essential to attend this final public town hall style meeting: at the Harbour House Hotel, at 5 p.m.
Listen, and make up your own mind.
See you there!
How may I help you to discover special Salt Spring Island & the Southern Gulf Islands? Call me!
