An Official Community Plan (OCP) for the Rural Resource Lands recently passed first reading at the Capital Regional District (CRD). If you live in the Juan de Fuca Regional Electoral Area (JDFEA) this new bylaw will influence future area OCPs’ to then affect your rights.
The Rural Resource OCP (bylaws#3591, #3602) is drafted from a radically green agenda. The really interesting point is that the document says that it is “community driven”. As this is the first time we have seen the bylaw, the question is; exactly which community is doing the driving?
Could it be the special interest groups and community groups, who wrongly think they are entitled to speak and negotiate for the public- before the public has even seen what is at stake?
Those from special interest groups remarked prior to the municipal election, that six bylaws, which down zoned lands from East Sooke to Port Renfrew, had not yet gone far enough.
Local residents protested that the bylaws had gone too far and had unfairly stripped them of their property rights. The six zoning bylaws were ruled illegal, but the torment continues, as the CRD appeals the ruling.
So, before you dismiss the new resource bylaws as something that does not affect you or your land- think again
.
Review the bylaws to get a better idea of just of how far special interest groups really want to go. Come out to local Advisory Planning Committee meetings currently being held or send an email, written submission, before April 15.
Of course you can also just wait, until the fire has spread to your door.
Gerry Neidermeiser
Otter Point
250- 664-7755
There has been a lot of controversy about the forest lands in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area. Looks like the CRD is going to fix that having just given first reading to a new bylaw and community plan for what they are calling the Rural Resource Lands.
These are parcels of forested land, privately owned, with a minimum of 300 acres: lots of room to do your own thing and keep yourself to yourself. Well, not entirely. If you thought running a woodlot, that might be OK but just don’t try processing the wood to add some value. If you have a portable sawmill, you can only run it for 6 months a year. If you have a home based business, your signage cannot exceed 2 square feet. And no more than one commercial vehicle allowed. If you are trying to run a B&B, a unit in the principle dwelling may NOT have a sink but MUST have an equal number of bicycle parking stalls as for vehicles. And don’t even think of having more than 2 rec vehicles in your yard. Dogs and cats: no more than 5 older than 4 months.
But there is some good news: flag poles are NOT limited in height.
Do we need this degree of state regulation of the minutia of living in a rural area? Or anywhere?
Just asking.