CVRD is ignoring important estuary issues
CVRD, “Beg for forgiveness, do a few favors, if you want your way…” Time to say “No” to Rezoning in Cowichan Estuary
The Cowichan Regional District Board is about to enshrine the unfortunate but seemingly true age old adage, “ it is better to beg for forgiveness than to ask for permission”.
Look at the case of the re-zoning application for the Westcan Terminal land in the Cowichan Bay Estuary from Marine transportation to marine Industrial and commercial use. The original lease from the BC Government was granted for Marine transportation under the Order in Council passed in 1986, The Cowichan Estuary Management Plan, setting out the zoning allowed in the whole Cowichan Bay Estuary. This OIC also stated that when the lease was no longer used for the original purpose, that lease would revert back to the government and become conservation zoned, as happened to an old log dump site just off the Cowichan Bay Road, which is now a park and kayak / canoe launch area.
In the case of Westcan Terminal Lease, the company decided to sub-lease their land, not allowed under the original lease agreement, and for some reason was ignored by the Cowichan Estuary Management Committee. Not only did they sub lease the property, they knowingly sub-leased the land to a non-conforming metal manufacturing operation.
For over 10 years the Cowichan Regional District By-Law enforcement ignored their location and active industrial fabrication, and not until the Regional District received a formal letter notifying them of the company’s non conforming work did they approach the situation. The solution to the problem and accepted by the Regional District was to have the company apply for re-zoning, long after they established the company in non-compliance.
We have now seen this application come formally to the regional District Board, and receive a positive vote for First Reading, thus validating the whole process of violate first, then beg for forgiveness second….and apparently set to get it.
There are a number of important issues and precedent setting decision here:
Look up any search engine and ask about the importance of preserving and enhancing estuaries for salmon, birds, and the complex ecosystem estuaries represent. Not one site will recommend locating industrial/commercial land use in an estuary.
Most importantly there is a notice to land and industry developers across BC…Come to the Cowichan Valley and build wherever you like…ignore zoning, just build it, donate some money to local organizations, do a public service, and you can apply for re-zoning and be accepted with open arms.
Why do we pay for a land use and zoning function in the Regional District?
Paul Rickard
Cowichan Bay