The Islands Trust ensured, back in 1974, that growth would be "capped" on all the Gulf Islands...this means that Salt Spring's Ganges Village cannot expand outward from the current small commercially zoned area.
The photo below shows the core of the Village...just slightly off camera, to the right, are a few more retail spaces (only the street side shows in this picture) grouped around a parking lot "square". That is "it" for retail, services such as banks/offices, and restaurants/galleries, within the Village.
Home occupations are allowed, except for the following: restaurants (although delivery pizza is allowed!), noisy items like metal recycling/auto-body work, and dog kennals in residential areas. Otherwise, doctors and lawyers can have clients come to their homes, people can operate Bed and Breakfasts (not considered commercial enterprises), and artists can offer home studios (open to the public).
The Islands Trust is a provincial government body, which came into being "to preserve and protect" the environmental beauties of all the Canadian Gulf Islands, regardless of location, for the benefit of all B.C. residents.
There are two trustees elected, per Island (not based on population, then), at each civic election (held every three years). Their purpose is to adhere to the original Trust document, and all that has occurred, over time, has been to narrow the interpretation of the original bylaws that controlled growth.
This kind of cap on growth means there will always be a limited inventory on any Gulf Island, regardless of market trend in play at any given time. In a brisk sales market, low inventory and high demand can result in higher price points.
There is a sense that the Trust ensured, with its desire to maintain the park-like beauty of the Islands, by controlling growth, that the Gulf Islands would always be a more expensive region. It is not a place that is easily achievable for a first time buyer, then.
There is no industry on a Gulf Island; tourism is the biggest opportunity provider. The Trust also limited places that cater to tourists (such as resorts). This is why B & Bs are popular.
It all makes sense when one remembers that the Trust is there to retain the park-like ambiance, and is not there to aid in a viable retail core or to aid developers.
More information? Call me! liread33@gmail.com
How may I help you to discover special Salt Spring Island & the Southern Gulf Islands? Call me!
