Bowen Island Undercurrent, July 12, 2013

Page 1

FRIDAY JULY 12, 2013 VOL. 39, NO. 7

75¢

including GST

Watch for more online at: WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM

Setting sail

Bowen Island Yacht Club offers camps for young sailors

Survey will inform services

Caring Circle urges islanders to participate in survey about health care

Vacation rentals

Wood, paper, ink

New show at gallery combines printmaking and furniture

Showing off local innovation

Commercial guest accommodations fill a need but what if they cause trouble?

Sustainability Tour presents examples of building resiliency

SUSANNE MARTIN EDITOR

C

ommercial guest accommodation in residential buildings address a growing demand on Bowen Island, especially in the busy summer season, but, according to the Land Use Bylaw (LUB), they are not legal outside of Snug Cove. The Bowen Island Municipality (BIM) has not been actively enforcing the bylaw and has charged the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) to take a closer look at these practices. At the Monday, July 8, council meeting, Gordon Ganong and Murray Atherton of EDAC presented a report on the committee’s findings and ideas. “EDAC recognizes that the operation of commercial guest accommodation potentially offers economic support to property owners and operators and helps to fill a demand for vacation rental accommodation,” the report says, adding that EDAC supports commercial guest accommodation outside of the cove. “In essence, we are recommending that the existing bylaw is not enforced,” Ganong stated, adding that EDAC has also identified a series of conditions that need to be met by the owners and operators to make sure the commercial guest accommodation doesn’t negatively impact the neighbours. The report says that “EDAC also recognizes the rights of Bowen residents to dwell in their residential neighbourhoods in a manner that is consistent and respectful of the designated zoning.” Murray Atherton explained that the committee has closely looked at the Official Community Plan (OCP) as well as the LUB and found that the language that describes vacation rental facilities is not consistent. continued, PAGE 3

SUSANNE MARTIN EDITOR

B

Many islanders are decked out in the finest period clothes to participate in Steamship Days that are under way since Wednesday and promise loads of fun over the weekend. See schedule at Steamshipdays.com. More photos on page 12. Debra Stringfellow photo

Enjoy

Bowen Island’s

2nd Annual

S teamShip Days

owen in Transition (BIT) is a local group that encourages and celebrates local resiliency and sustainability initiatives. And on July 27, it will host its third annual Sustainability Tour that highlights innovative projects on the island. “I feel gratitude for living in a place where people are engaged in doing so many different things to take action and reduce their carbon footprint or become more self sufficient. The tour is a way to celebrate that,” says Carol MacKinnon, BIT’s chair. MacKinnon explained that the highlights of the tour include visits to the library, an orchard and a labyrinth as well as examples of farming, rainwater harvesting, solar power, permaculture and composting. “We’ll start at the library where we will learn from chief librarian Tina Nielsen about how the library supports community resiliency,” MacKinnon said. “The library is a key partner not only in terms of education and learning but also through lending.” MacKinnon added that the library operates the Med Shed, a resource centre for medical equipment and has energy audit kits available that help islanders determine ways to conserve electricity. “We are also looking at the potential of adding a seed sharing component to the library,” MacKinnon said. An established garden in Deep Bay will be the next stop and MacKinnon explained that its attractions include 120-year-old orchard trees and a bee hive. The property is a good example of a market garden and grows produce to sell at the BowFeast farmers markets. continued, PAGE 3

s 13 nU Joird ay, July Satu

Cove Family BBQ!

for the

Bowen Island Pub

www.bowenislandpub.com 604-947-BPUB (2782)

Cove Family BBQ runs from 11am – 5pm in the lot behind the pub.


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