Ladysmith Chronicle, February 04, 2014

Page 1

Chronicle The

www.ladysmithchronicle.com

Since 1908

www.chemainuschronicle.com

Serving Ladysmith, Chemainus and area

Free swim in Ladysmith on Family Day P. 9

$1

(plus GST)

Publications Mail Agreement No. 40010318

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Cedar 12K runs this Sunday P. 15

Save 10¢ /Litre on Home Heating Oil from now until April CALL FOR DETAILS

Duncan Nanaimo 250.737.1508 250.753.5105 AFDFuels.ca

Council begins the Alternative Approval Process for Couverdon boundary expansion Lindsay Chung THE CHRONICLE

Ladysmith council has accepted the boundary extension proposal submitted by Couverdon Real Estate, triggering an Alternative Approval Process and taking a step closer to bringing about 700 acres of TimberWest land into the town. At a special council meeting Jan. 28 at the Ladysmith Seniors Centre, council heard a presentation from Bob Smits of the North Oyster Diamond Ratepayers raising concerns about Couverdon’s boundary expansion proposal, and a presentation from Couverdon, the real estate company of TimberWest. Couverdon and the Town of Ladysmith are brokering a deal whereby Ladysmith would expand city limits to include a 700-acre parcel of land west of the Diamond — stretching from north of Grouhel Road to Malone road — in exchange for Ladysmith gaining title to about 500 acres of TimberWest land adjacent to Stocking and Holland lakes. If everything goes ahead, Couverdon would foot the bill to build roads, install services and subdivide lots in preparation for the sale of parcels beginning in early 2017. TimberWest’s proposal calls for a phased development that includes 1,500 housing units. Couverdon first introduced the notion of a boundary expansion in 2009, and the company held an open house in July 2011 to gauge public sentiment. Last summer, Couverdon effectively entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Town of Ladysmith, which outlines the expectations and process, explained Frank Limshue, Couverdon’s director of

planning and zoning. Limshue told council that if the boundary expansion is approved and the lands are re-zoned, TimberWest would be looking to develop in phases, and the timetable for all four passes is 30 to 40 years. In terms of the land use concept, James Miner, a managing principal with Sasaki Associates Inc., which has been assisting with the project, says Couverdon is looking to set a new standard for development on the Island, as they are looking creatively at housing density, offering trails for walking and biking, and green infrastructure, with higher density closer to town and less density farther away. In his presentation, Smits urged council to slow down the process to provide more information and include more people in the process. “Keep in mind every decision you make will have an impact on every jurisdiction around Ladysmith,” he said. “We’d prefer they were done on a regional basis with everyone having some input and not just the Town of Ladysmith; perhaps a Cowichan Valley Regional District committee with representative from Ladysmith, Area G and Area H would be a good start. Given that Couverdon has said this is a long-term development plan, couldn’t we delay this matter to find out exactly what the financial impact, the sustainability cost of this development will be?” Protecting the watershed is a big piece of this process, as around 700 acres of forest land in the Holland Lake and Stocking Lake watershed would be turned over the community. Ladysmith Mayor Rob Hutchins says the Town has coveted the See Town Page 5

Three-year-old Nicky Williams of Saltair enjoys the snow Monday morning behind Aggie Hall. Environment Canada’s forecast for the Nanaimo Airport shows sunny skies and highs of minus-one to plus-one until Sunday, with a 60-per-cent chance of flurries for Sunday, Feb. 9. LINDSAY CHUNG

Collision repair you can trust ICBC Valet Accredited repair facility All insurance companies accepted Member of the Quality Assured Collision Group 13070 Thomas Road, Ladysmith www.littlevalleyrestorations.com

CONTACT US TODAY (250) 245 3022


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.