Bowen Island Undercurrent June 17 2021

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COVID19: Case rates in Bowen/Lions Bay up again

$1.50

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Thursday, June 17, 2021 • A1 inc.

GST

THURSDAY, JUNE 17 , 2021

VOL. 47 NO. 24

BIUndercurrent

BowUndercurrent www.bowenislandundercurrent.com

What are these eagles doing?

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Dock decision LETTERS TO COUNCIL WERE MORE THAN 10 TO 1 AGAINST DOCK

BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Editor@bowenislandundercurent.com

BRONWYN BEAIRSTO / UNDERCURRENT PHOTO

CELEBRATING CHERYL: Liz Watson and Lorraine Ashdown lead a rousing rendition of their original song ‘So

you’re retired now’ (or along those lines) in Village Square Tuesday afternoon in celebration of Cheryl Evans’ retirement. Cheryl’s worked at the post office for 25 years and retired this week.

Bowen Island Species Census starts WHY YOU SHOULD BRING YOUR PHONE HIKING LOUISE LOIK

B.I. Conservancy

Bowen Island Conservancy wants you to get nosey about your neighbours.

Over the course of the summer, Bowen Island Conservancy is inviting islanders and guests to take photos of all things wild in their neighbourhood or around their island-based accommodation, and upload the images to

an online citizen science platform or mobile phone app called iNaturalist.

Get up close and personal with everything from the buzzing bugs and soft mosses to the lizards on the rocks. (But not too close!)

CONTINUED ON P. 8

SHOWINGS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

Sat. June 19 & Sun. June 20 12-4PM

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$1,179,000 Top Two Floors: Lower Floor:

2 bed plus office • 3 bath In-law suite with separate entry

• excellent investment opportunity with future commercial zoning potential • new bathrooms • view of the mountains and marina • off street parking for 3 cars

buyonbowen.com

604.220.7085

New docks on Bowen Island aren’t allowed to divide a beach but they have certainly divided the community in recent years.

Bowen Island Municipal Council passed a contentious variance for a dock at a Miller’s Landing pocket beach at its regular council meeting June 14.

The application offered an exchange – the variance allowing the dock in its proposed location for a public right-of-way across private property to the beach.

Currently, there’s no public access. The historical trail passes over the applicant’s property. There is a municipal right-of-way beside 1160 Ecclestone but the undeveloped right-of-way ends in a cliff.

In an effort to stave off a dock at the small beach, Friends of Ecclestone Beach proposed a staircase from the public cliff edge down to the foreshore, circumventing the private property and the need for the path.

While last month, council deferred consideration of the variance to give the community group time to pull a staircase proposal together, when it came down to the wire Monday evening, several councillors said they didn’t think the plan would work.

Councillors were faced with a decision that saw the overwhelming majority of public comments (more than ten to one) against the dock but a staff report advising proceeding with the variance.

Council voted six to one (Coun. Sue Ellen Fast opposed the resolution) to issue the variance.

History

Ecclestone Beach is a low-bank, south-facing pocket of rocks, pebbles and logs on the north edge of Mannion Bay – just as the dip of the bay starts curving back out into the ocean to create the protuberance of Miller’s Landing.

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A2 • Thursday, June 17, 2021

bowenislandundercurrent.com

We’re hiring: Roads Crewperson

Events June 23, 2021 7:00 pm

Bowen Island Municipality seeks to fill a vacancy for an existing Roads Crewperson position in Public Works. This is an outside labourer position primarily responsible for assisting with the maintenance of the Municipality’s roads and drainage as well as some labour tasks related to other Municipal infrastructure. In addition, winter maintenance requirements would consist of snow clearing from roadways and applying anti-ice material amongst other duties.

Digital Town Hall: Community Economic Dvelopment Plan

June 28, 2021 6:15 pm Regular Council Meeting

This is a full time position at 35 hours per week normally between 8:00 am to 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday; these times may be adjusted to meet specific requirements. A full job description is available on our website at bowenislandmunicipality.ca/jobs

All meetings are online via Zoom and

open to the public, unless noted otherwise.

A Digital Town Hall will take place Wednesday, June 23, 2021, starting at 7:00 pm. Please join our consultant team for discussion of key trends and opportunities, with lots of time for community members to ask questions. Two of the topics we will be focusing on are responsible tourism, and manufacturing/light industrial. This is an important opportunity to help shape the emerging plan. Don’t miss it!

Register at: www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/rsvp Questions? Please contact Stef Shortt at sshortt@bimbc.ca or 604-947-4255 x 253.

Keep a safe physical distance

Contact Bowen Island Municipality ADVERTISEMENT June 17, 2021

The 2020 Annual Report for Bowen Island Municipality will be presented to Council at its Regular meeting on Monday, June 28, 2021. We invite you to review the Annual Report and to provide your comments and questions in writing or in person at the meeting. The Annual Report is available on our website at bowenislandmunicipality.ca/reports-publications How to comment on the Annual Report: 1. Speak at the Council meeting during Public Comment: • Email the Corporate Officer BEFORE 6:00 PM at hdallas@bimbc.ca. In your email, please include the following: • subject line “Public Comment – Annual Report”.

• Name (first and last) and telephone number.

• Join the meeting via the Zoom link provided in the Council agenda and wait for your name to be called during the public comment section.

2. Submit your written comment: • Write directly to Mayor and Council at mayorandcouncil@bimbc.ca. For your written submission to be included in the agenda package, please review the public submission deadlines available on our website at bowenislandmunicipality.ca/council-meetings

Wear a mask in indoor public spaces

Phone: Fax: Email: Website:

Now available

The final engagement event for the Community Economic Develoment Plan is taking place next week! Building on the findings from our survey and focus groups, this will be an opportunity to have your say before the project team drafts the plan over the summer.

2 m or 6 feet

PAID

In response, Bowen Island Council is considering changes to the Land Use Bylaw to permit the sale of retail cannabis anywhere a retail use is permitted, subject to receiving a Provincial Licence.

Land Use Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 530, 2020 was given First Reading at the January 11, 2021 Council Meeting to enact those changes. Bowen Island Council is also considering a policy that would provide items for Council to consider when reviewing an application for a retail cannabis store.

Last opportunity to talk about Bowen’s Community Economic Development Plan!

Get a vaccine - everyone over 12 is eligible

Clean your hands frequently

The owners of Happy Isle Cannabis Company, operating at 203992 Dorman Road, have applied to amend the zoning to permit their store, currently operating under a Temporary Use Permit, to have permanent zoning approval.

Please submit your cover letter, resume, and references via mail or A virtual open house will be held to provide information and email by 4:00 pm on Tuesday, June 22, 2021 to: receive input from the public regarding this application. All members of the public are invited to attend. The Public Open Kat Stephens House will be held on Thursday, June 24, 2021 from 2-4pm, through Human Resources Coordinator Zoom. For login information visit 981 Artisan Lane, Bowen Island, BC, V0N 1G2 www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/voh Email: hr@bimbc.ca Inquiries regarding the proposed bylaws may be directed to Daniel Martin at 604-947-4255 or dmartin@bimbc.ca

Help stop COVID-19:

Stay home if you’re sick

Virtual Public Open House: Happy Isle Cannabis

604-947-4255 604-947-0193 bim@bimbc.ca

Bowen Island Municipal Hall 981 Artisan Lane Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G2

www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday to Friday Closed statutory holidays

Find us on Facebook Bowen Island Municipality

Subscribe to our mailing list bowenislandmunicipality.ca/subscribe

It’s baaacck!

SWEET ROAR OF BOWEN BASEBALL RETURNS TO SNUG COVE

MARCUS HONDRO

Contributor

With COVID-19 protocols relaxing as the number of vaccinated British Columbians mounts, baseball is back in the province and on Bowen Island. The historic fastpitch league is up and running while the upstart slopitch league follows this weekend.

The Fastpitch League began a reduced 2021 schedule on Wednesday, June 9 (the Fireman beat the Brewers) while the Slopitch League’s website says the league will begin its season with a triple header this Saturday, June 19.

It’s been a long haul and after 34 consecutive seasons at Snug Cove Field, missing one in 2020 was difficult for fastpitch players and fans. And COVID remains a presence for this season, as noted in a posting by league president, Adam Woodward, on the league’s Facebook site.

“All players are required to maintain a distance of six feet when not playing or in active game play,” Woodward wrote. “What this means is that we will keep a limit of only three members in the dugouts at a time. We will utilize the adjacent benches for the rest of each team, while also staying at a distance.

“Unfortunately, this means that we will also not do handshakes at the end of each game,” he went on to post. “Masks are also being encouraged on the base paths or in the field of play, but not required at this time.”

There are various sanitizing protocols in place and each player is encouraged to bring their own batting helmet. Woodward said they adapted the guidelines they have put in place “from a variety of other leagues, including Baseball BC and Slo-pitch Canada.”

The Diggers won the last tournament played – they’ve won the coveted Scott Helenius Trophy four of the last five seasons – taking the final 4-3 over Eddie Weismiller and The Cruisers on

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, June 17, 2021 • A3

MARCUS HONDRO PHOTO

Action in the Bowen Island Fastpitch League game last Friday, June 11 as the Diggers went up against the Cruisers. The game featured all three Welsh brothers playing for the Cruisers, Jack, Charlie and Ben Welsh. After missing the 2020 season, the league is up and running with a reduced schedule.

August 11 of 2019.

Those two teams re-met in the early goings this season, on June 11, with Mike Laszuk hitting a walk-off grand slam off of young Cruiser pitcher Sneaky Pete Blomberg to give the Diggers another narrow victory, 12-11.

That game featured the Cruisers rivalling a feat the Twins have recently managed: three brothers playing in one game. Jack and Charlie Welsh have been joined on the team by little brother, Benny Boy Welsh. Peter Blomberg’s cousins, brothers Jonas, Niko and Mattias Blomberg, have all played for the Twins in past seasons.

The leagues feature kids running about collecting fouls balls for cash. Young William Strang has joined that group of baseball-loving islanders this season. Many players now in the fastpitch league started their Snug Cove careers doing the same thing.

Before the pause, the Slopitch league hit its stride with its most successful season of four in 2019. Among other highlights that season, Scott Stevenson and Sarah Bristow were named the league’s Most Outstanding utility players while Stevenson won a second crown, winning the Most Fun Couple award with wife, Sheana Stevenson.

Clive Scarff won the Senior Player award.

The Slopitch season starts with the Loggers up against the Basecombers on Saturday at 10 a.m. and finishes on September 7. Both leagues have schedules posted online.

Marion Moore is celebrating her 99th birthday June 22. “Happy Birthday!” –Love Jim and your Girls.

Case rate rises for Bowen Island/Lions Bay For the 5,000-odd people of Bowen IslandLions Bay community health service area, BCCDC data shows that for the week of June 8 to June 14: • The daily case positivity rate was five cases per 100,000 (last week this number was three, for several weeks before that it was zero.) Keep in mind, this is a rate, not an actual number.

• 80 per cent of people 12 and over have at least one vaccine dose (last week this number was 79); • 82 per cent of people 18 and over have at least one vaccine dose (last week this number was 81); • 86 per cent of people 50 and over have at least one vaccine dose (this is the same as last week).

The next Bowen vaccine clinic is June 19 at BICS. More information: vch.ca/covid-19/ covid-19-vaccine.

WHO PROFITS WITH A CREDIT UNION?

YOU DO.

On June 9th over $380, 000 was paid to our members in profit share.

firstcu.ca

A4 • Thursday, June 17, 2021

bowenislandundercurrent.com

VIEWPOINTS LETTER TO THE EDITOR

A valiant effort – thank you DEAR EDITOR: After seven months, staff, mayor and council, save one, voted to grant a variance for a huge dock on Mannion Bay right next Ecclestone Public Beach in exchange for a short path to ensure legal access.

As a member of The Friends of Ecclestone Beach delegation, we were subjected to public humiliation and patent disregard by some members of council. It was extremely unpleasant, to say the least. They expressed a righteous indignation to our creative alternative to the dock, the engineered plans for a staircase on the public right of way.

The kicker, of course, was asking them to join in as a 50/50 co-sponsor on this community collaborative, one that fit our community guidelines. The municipal planner recommended that it be rejected as impractical and dangerous and we were then reprimanded for entertaining such presumptions. The nerve! Obviously, they have other priorities.

A short history of the short path: although it was always private, it has been used for more than 100 years, until last fall when “No Public Beach Access” BIM signs went up.

In January 2018, council, – including four current members – granted another variance to the then property owners at the same 1160 Ecclestone address for several structures that were illegally built on the public right of way leading down to the beach. The now infamous 30-foot path was a key element, arguably the most important item in the legal variance agreement going forward. Converting the path to the public in perpetuity was to be the community’s benefit for that variance. Inexplicably, the owner withdrew his offer before the vote by council. I was at council that night, speaking on behalf of public access, but I did not comprehend what was really going on behind the scenes. Astonishingly, the vari-

ance was still granted unanimously by acting mayor and council and the public got nothing in exchange.

Nada. And not surprisingly, no one seems to know what happened! So here we are again; the same property, the same path, which will finally become legal, but we will now have a 122-foot private dock in exchange.

Once again, neither the public interest, nor the Land Use Bylaw nor the public outcry against granting of this variance were upheld or honoured.

I want to thank the wonderful company I have had the good fortune to keep during the campaign to stop the dock. There are so many amazing people on Bowen Island!

To those of you wrote thoughtful letters in opposition: to those who made the effort (some more than once) to appear before council; and lastly, to all of you who remained faithful opposing this dock being approved – as an overwhelming 95 per cent of you did – an enormous thank you to each of you.

Again, it was an honour to work with such a generous group on behalf of our Bowen community.

To our lawyer, Deborah Carlson, from West Coast Environmental Law, thank you from the bottom of hearts for your astute wisdom and legal guidance over the past several months. Thanks also to the structural engineer who designed a graceful staircase as the dock alternative.

We appreciate all your efforts and expertise on behalf of our small but mighty, Ecclestone Beach.

And lastly, to Gillian Darling, whose gutsy perseverance and never ending energy kept the fires burning! I want to recognize her for the long hours of hard work she put in bringing the staircase to life, all in the service of our community and for all of us.

I offer my gratitude to Gillian and to you. Well done everyone. May we win the next one.

Heather Hodson

EDITORIAL

Don’t forget the grad edition

Next week is one of my favourite editions of the year. Graduating is such a time of celebration (and we ALL need a source of levity these days). I love reading the hopes and accomplishments of islanders who’ve reached an educational milestone.

Though they won’t appear in these pages (they’re all in the Yukon), I have three family members of my own who have graduated this year (a PhD, a master’s

and a Red Seal). So I definitely understand the urge to brag about loved ones’ accomplishments. (But don’t ask me about their theses or, just as baffling, the complexities of concrete.) But please do brag. Any notes to these grads, pictures of their years on Bowen (I particularly condone preschool group photos), send my way!

Our deadline is next Monday, June 21 (another very significant

THE WRITE STUFF. The Undercurrent encourages reader participation in your community newspaper. You must include your full name and a daytime phone number (for verification only). The editor reserves the right to edit for clarity, legality, brevity and taste. Please limit to under 500 words. HERE’S HOW: To submit a letter to the editor, fax 604-947-0148 or mail it to #102, 495 Government Rd., PO Box 130, Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G0 or email editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com.

All Advertising and news copy content are copyright of the Undercurrent Newspaper. All editorial content submitted to the Undercurrent becomes the property of the publication.

The Undercurrent is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, art work and photographs.

#102–495 Bowen Trunk Road, PO Box 130, Bowen Island BC, V0N 1G0 Phone: 604.947.2442 Fax: 604.947.0148 bowenislandundercurrent.com DEADLINE for advertising Monday, 4 p.m. DEADLINE for editorial Tuesday 5 p.m.

Bowen Island Undercurrent Subscription Rates: Mailed 1 year subscription on Bowen Island: $55, including GST. Within Canada: $85 including GST Newsstand (Single Copy) $1.50 per copy, including GST

ISSN 7819-5040

day we’ll get to in next week’s paper – National Indigenous Peoples Day). Please send everything to editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com.

For the grad profiles, we ask for up to 100 words (or as few as five!) and a photo. These grads can be of any level, but we particularly want to capture high school and post-secondary grads.

Congratulations all.

Bronwyn Beairsto, editor

National NewsMedia Council.

EDITOR Bronwyn Beairsto editor@bowenisland undercurrent.com

ADVERTISING Tracey Wait ads@bowenisland undercurrent.com

CARTOONIST Ron Woodall

PUBLISHER Peter Kvarnstrom publisher@bowenisland undercurrent.com 2011 CCNA

CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARD 2011

SPECIAL THANK-YOU Audrey Grescoe

The Undercurrent is a member of the National NewsMedia Council of Canada, which is an independent organization established to deal with acceptable journalistic practices and ethical behaviour. If you have concerns about editorial content, please email editor@bowenislandundercurrent. com or call 604-947-2442.

If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint, visit the website at mediacouncil.ca or call toll-free 1-844-877-1163 for additional information.

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, June 17, 2021 • A5

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

How to support Snug Cove House SNUG COVE HOUSE IS ASKING FOR ISLANDERS TO FILL OUT A NEW SURVEY TO HELP THE SOCIETY WITH NEW FUNDING APPLICATION

DEAR EDITOR: The 33,500 square foot Snug Cove House seniors’ residence is planned, the Miller Road building site largely ready for construction and all services are connected.

Over the years, Bowen Islanders have contributed time and money to support the idea of a residence that will give the island’s elder citizens the choice of enjoying supportive housing on Bowen rather than leaving their friends, neighbours and community. The non-profit group leading this initiative is Snug Cove House Society (SCHS).

In 2004, the society received donations from almost every Bowen household to buy land.

Keeping the new building’s footprint small allowed SCHS to sell the rest of that land, raising $3 million of the $12 million needed to build Snug Cove House.

Last year, SCHS applied to BC Housing’s Community Housing Fund which would have provided

both construction funds and continuing subsidies to allow rents to be more affordable. This application was unsuccessful, likely (BC Housing doesn’t give reasons for rejection) because the Community Housing Fund did not want to include space for supportive services such as a central kitchen, dining room, activity areas and space for visiting healthcare and personal care practitioners. These are essential components of Snug Cove House.

This year, SCHS is applying to HousingHub, a different branch of BC Housing, for a construction loan. The provincial government has recently budgeted $2 billion for HousingHub, which exists to encourage construction of housing for middle-income earners.

Although HousingHub does not provide subsidies, it does offer low cost, long amortization mortgages and this can help reduce rents.

HousingHub is also more tolerant of space for supportive services.

To qualify, SCHS must demonstrate that Snug Cove House is a viable and sustainable business, one that Bowen Islanders want and can pay for.

For last year’s application, SCHS asked islanders to write letters of support. In response, 175 individuals and organizations wrote thoughtful and often moving letters, for which the society is most grateful. For the new application, in addition to the letters, we must have quantifiable data showing that the need for our residence exists.

To this end, Snug Cove House Society has created a short online survey which we are asking all Bowen households to complete.

It is quick and completely anonymous. It is important that as many islanders as possible contribute to the survey. Your response matters, whatever your age and whatever your opinion.

Over the next two weeks, every household will receive invitations,

PHOTO COURTESY OF SNUG COVE HOUSE

Snug Cove House on Miller Road will have 24 apartments for Bowen seniors and dining and recreation facilities. With timely financing it could open its doors in 2023. by mail and in this newspaper, to visit the SCHS website, snugcovehouse.com, where you can learn about Snug Cove House and find the survey.

Thank you in advance for your support and for taking a few moments to complete the survey.

The Snug Cove House Board of Directors: Holly Mackintosh, Pernille Nielsen, Martine Sampath, Cindy MacLeod, Chris Passier, Tamsin Miley, Andy PowellWilliams, Susan Munro, Graham Ritchie

We need to examine sweeping new Land Use Bylaw amendments DEAR EDITOR: Bowen Island Municipality has scheduled a public hearing for July 12 on the proposed Land Use Bylaw amendment No 528, 2020. Everyone ought to be informed of the many, many LUB changes proposed.

As presented at the bylaw’s first reading last December: “B.I. Council is considering a series of changes to the Land Use Bylaw… intended to streamline and clarify definitions and regulations within the bylaw, for height, grade, floor space, lot coverage and lot lines…changes would also occur to remove redundant definitions.”

At a poorly announced public house held March 11 over Zoom, only one person participated with a few questions regarding the proposed changes.

On the second reading, May 25, some written comments were sent to Mayor and council regarding the format of the amendments – that they’re too large and too complex to be accessible – and a few changes were also questioned for their technical definitions (automobile repair, wetlands, vineyards).

There has been no offer to partition voluminous LUB amendments into, for instance, two main divisions: one for all technical regulations such as height, grade, floor space, lot coverage, parking, lot lines, and the other for all land use definitions to which changes were made.

Those definition changes are most concerning. Amendments were made without rationale or explanation within three connected sections: a) amending

the following definitions, b) deleting the following definitions, c) inserting the following definitions. From a) to b) to c) a number of definitions were first amended, then deleted or modified by a new definition, all of it without reference to reason and oblivious to a created redundancy.

Under the section combining definition, eleven categories of specific land use names are being deleted to be replaced by imprecise generic names that can only be confusing at best, if not manipulative and misleading.

For instance, the term “public library” is deleted along with “museum” and “gallery” to be replaced by “public community facility” (as would be also “cafeteria” and “washroom”) without any explanation. Why such a change contrary to our connection, our knowledge and understanding of the names of such places.

In the same manner the terms “police station,” “ambulance hall” and “fire hall” are being deleted and replaced by “emergency services”: this generic term does not accurately describe those organizations and their locations, whose role is also educational with their active participation in community events and security control. Meanwhile the generic name could also include plumbers, electricians, mechanics, nurses and doctors among others who are also involved in “emergency services”!

To complete that small selection of examples, why is “horticulture” being deleted, which is garden cultivation (from hortus –“garden” in Latin) while

“agriculture,” which means large scale field cultivation (from ager, agri – “field” in Latin) is being amended to exclude intensive agriculture. As a certified horticulturist am I also being deleted?

I am certainly not a jurist and yet I learned very early in my studies the necessity of clarity and accuracy of definitions and names. It was, indeed, essential in horticulture and botany to know, to understand and to recognize the diversity of plants. To illustrate: potato, tomato, eggplants and nightshade have all the generic name of Solanaceae, given their common characteristics. Would you feel at ease to know them by their generic name only?

Let us be clear about it, simplification and changes or amendments may be needed for a bylaw that’s 20 years old, but not at the cost of misrepresentation and without clear explanation provided to the public. So far our elected officials have failed in their function of protecting the interest of our community in allowing unanimously to give first and second reading without appropriate question and discussions of the multiple changes being proposed without rational explanation is not to their honour. They failed to pinpoint the complexity of the document for the public to be aware of the extent of the changes. As proposed the bylaw ought not to become a legal official municipal document.

André H. Chollat

DEPARTS SUN to THURS FRI & SA. ed SNUG COVE 11:15PM ns suspend5AM u r ter HORSESHOE BAY 12:30AM ommu c d n a ight Afternoon Commuter Runs S Late n

Mon - Fri Horseshoe Bay - Snug Cove

We’re still here for essential services such as ambulance transport and we’re here for your private charter needs. Please feel free to call us with your questions as we chart these waters together.

Proudly Celebrating 42 Years of Trusted Transport for Bowen Island & Howe Sound Telephone: 604-947-2243 Cellular: 604-250-2630 Tug & Barge services Special Event Cruises PRIVATE CHARTERS AVAILABLE ANYTIME

email: cormorantmarine@telus.net web: cormorantwatertaxi.com

604-947-2243

Since 1978

A6 • Thursday, June 17, 2021

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Talons in a tangle: eagles in a pickle

DIANA KAILE PHOTO

Diana Kaile was treated to a spectacularly unusual sight a couple of weeks ago – two eagles with tangled talons.

Notice of Public Hearing HAVE YOUR SAY. Public Hearing July 12, 2021 4:30 pm Online via Zoom or watch on YouTube

Questions?

Contact Daniel Martin, Manager of Planning and Development

604-947-4255

Land Use Bylaw Amendments Bylaw No. 528, 2020

About the bylaw Bowen Island Municipal Council is considering Bylaw No. 528 to make a series of amendments to Land Use Bylaw No. 57, 2002.

The proposed changes include additions, removals, amendments, and consolidation of various land use definitions, changes to setback exceptions (buildings and structures that can be built in required setbacks), changes to Home Occupation regulations for Auto Repair, and changes to the method to calculate building heights.

Bylaw timeline Committee of the Whole

1st External Open Reading Referrals House

January 2020

December 2020

March 2021

2nd Reading

May 2021

PUBLIC HEARING

3rd Reading

July 2021

How to get more information

Final Decision

(Estimated) September 2021

Visit the municipal website to get the information package, including staff reports, presentations, and explanatory material at www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/planning. You can also request this information from Municipal Hall, 8:30 - 4:30, Monday- Friday (closed on statutory holidays)

PHOTO SUBMIITTED

Farewell Cates Hill cat, Rocket Bon Voyage Rocket, off on your next adventure. What a bruiser – always dirty and nursing a new scratch, but he found his way into everyone’s heart who knew him, for his family was far and wide on Cates Hill. Thank you to the kind lady who

dropped him off at Bowen Vet giving us a chance to say farewell, and thank you to Sandra Madden and all the staff at Bowen Vet for your compassionate care.

Heidi, Jae, Airin and Yaelin

Ways you can Have Your Say 1.

Speak at the Public Hearing: Monday, July 12 at 4:30 pm: • Register for the speakers list: email the Corporate Officer (hdallas@bimbc.ca) BEFORE the start of the hearing with subject line: Public Hearing - Verbal Submission.

• Get the Zoom meeting details at: bowenislandmunicipality.ca/council-meetings • Join the Zoom meeting and wait for your name to be called out.

2.

Write to the attention of Mayor and Council: E-mail: mayorandcouncil@bimbc.ca

dmartin @bimbc.ca

bowenisland municipality.ca /planning

Diana Kaile opened her Hummingbird Lane door at 7:30 a.m. couple of Saturdays ago to an unusual sight.

These two mature bald eagles were in an awkward embrace on a neighbour’s driveway.

Kaile speculates that the two were fighting or mating mid-air, their talons locked and they fell to the ground. Bald eagles are known to do a mid-air courtship display that can include a cartwheeling “death spiral” where two eagles, talons locked, spin toward the ground at breakneck speeds before pulling away at the last moment. (And sometimes they hit the ground.)

“The ravens were circling, also smaller birds, one raven waddled down the driveway, probably to attack them,” wrote Kaile in an email. “The raptor society suggested going out with pots and pans to scare the eagles, it did the trick.”

“They were so scared by the noise they rose up and as they did so, became unhooked,” she said. “Such a happy ending.

The two even did a fly by above the Kailes’ house to say thank you!

To ensure a fair process, written submissions are accepted up until the end of the public hearing. Council cannot consider any submissions received after the Public Hearing has ended. If your written submission is received after the public hearing has ended, your submission will be circulated to staff for information.

HAIG FARRIS PHOTO

Can’t stop sailing: usually the second weekend in June will see more than a hundred sailboats participate in the Round Bowen Race. This year, the race was cancelled for a second year due to the pandemic, but there was an unofficial race after a yacht club put out the call. We have a few more photos to share next week!

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, June 17, 2021 • A7

Get to know your neighbour NEXT IN THE SERIES: GORDON GANONG

BRONWYN BEAIRSTO PHOTO

Six-week-old Mette has been visiting Cheryl Evans at the post office since birth (granted that was fairly recently) and dropped by to celebrate Cheryl’s retirement Tuesday afternoon.

Pull out your opinions, Island Survey is open What’s “so Bowen?” For one thing, endless surveys. But this is a big one.

Bowen’s answer to the Canadian census – the Island Survey – is back. The biennial questionnaire collects local data to help with Bowen Island Municipality’s decision-making, strategic planning and more.

This year’s survey, an estimated 20-minute task, covers municipal services, transportation, emergency preparedness, housing, the

pandemic and the local economy, according to BIM. The last such survey, circulated in 2019, found that 94 per cent of respondents rated the overall quality of life on Bowen as “good” or “excellent.”

The percentage of respondents who owned their home in the 2018 survey was 79 per cent, which rose to 84 per cent in the 2019 survey.

Find the Island Survey at bowenislandmunicipality.ca/ island-survey. It closes July 31.

When did you come to Bowen?

2005 How did you come to be here?

Long story. We were living in Red Deer Alberta. We were driving through to see Joyce’s mom and dad in Abbotsford. We would drive straight through and then we would manage to spend time with them, take them on errands, etc, etc. All kinds of things that you do with care of elderly people. And then we talked and said, you know, why don’t we manage to go and have some fun – or at least take in some of the weather and whatnot. Joyce found a cottage, here on Bowen, that was rented out by the week. We ended up booking that cottage, drove on out, dealt with her parents and then drove to Bowen. Joyce had spent a lot of time in West Vancouver, in North Vancouver, but had never been to Bowen. So we came for the week. And one of the things that we always do, and we were looking at moving from Red Deer, is that we looked at real estate, and we found this piece of property. We went back to Joyce’s parents’ place, looked after them for the next few days and as we were going back to Alberta, we

received the notice that we had the property. We put an offer in on it obviously and then put our house up for sale in in Red Deer.

And we started looking for a contractor to build a house.

Where on Bowen do you live?

We’re at the end of Taylor Road. It’s actually waterfront – we have a view of West Vancouver.

Fill the ferry lineup gap or don’t fill the gap?

Since council changed the ruling on that, we fill the gap.

What’s your favourite Bowen fact or story?

Actually, one of the most interesting [things] that I have ever seen, because we do look over the water, was a submarine managing to come by.

Tell me more!

There was one time, it’s got to be eight or 10 years ago, that there was a submarine that was on the surface heading over towards Horseshoe Bay. And then went north.

Any idea where the submarine was from or what it was?

I do believe that it was a Canadian submarine. It was not huge.

And if it’s not that (fact or

story), I really enjoy the bird life here – the eagles and the hummingbirds. We even have hummingbirds all year round.

What do Bowen Islanders have in common ?

It’d have to be the community and the connections that they get from that community. And, I would think that they would like the environment and the calmness and the forests.

What’s your favourite COVID19 balm or activity?

It has been gardening. But until recently, that just hasn’t been possible during the winter. Vegetable gardening that is.

However, through the winter, I’ve watched an awful lot of television. And Dr. Henry and the U.S. election. So much has happened.

UNDERCURRENT 2021 GRAD ISSUE JUNE 24

Patient of the Week free to submit editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com Max.100 words + photo. deadline Monday June 21st 5 PM

ROSABEE Rosabee was in recently to remove some Pampas grass that had gotten lodged in her soft palate! As the weather gets nicer and our pets spend more time outside, it’s good to be on the lookout for your pets eating plants that can lead to obstructions or be toxic. Luckily Rosabee’s owners noticed right away and her mouth has now healed up completely.

REGULAR HOURS Tuesday to Friday 9- 5 Saturday 9- 1 Closed Sunday and Monday

To schedule appointments, please call

604.947.9247

or email reception@bowenvet.com

A8 • Thursday, June 17, 2021

bowenislandundercurrent.com

iNaturalist app enables citizen science CONTINUED FROM P. 1

Everything from lichen to whales is counted in the Bowen Island Species Census. The uploaded images and recordings will be broken out by neighbourhoods, species and just for fun, by the most engaged neighbourhood, the most species found by individuals and neighbourhoods, and the most uploads by individuals.

Conservation areas and parks are not part of the study. This census encourages each of us to “Look where you live,” there is a good chance that someone will discover a species unrecorded on Bowen.

There is a global biodiversity crisis and islands are particularly vulnerable to island-wide and localized extinctions. With habitat being destroyed, fragmented, and degraded while also being hit by impacts of climate change, the

creatures that rely on those habitats have nowhere to go. In an effort to understand what species of plants, animals and the in-between life forms that all play vital roles in the web of biodiversity on Bowen, a team of Bowen Island Conservancy volunteers is launching the Bowen Island Species Census. Have fun getting nosy about your neighbours –you may make an interesting discovery! iNaturalist is a mobile phone app and website used around the world to crowd source observations of plants, animals and other organisms. Users upload photos of observations and iNaturalist’s image recognition software suggests the identity of the organism.

You will need to open an account on the site and from there you can not only contribute to a database, you can learn and explore projects

LOUISE LOIK PHOTO

LOUISE LOIK PHOTO

flowers,

fireflies.

and species on the Gulf Islands, in BC Parks, and places all around the world.

A community of citizen scientists will confirm the identity of documented species, helping correct any errors and verify observations to make them research grade.

Photos, videos and audio record-

ings can be uploaded.

Which neighbourhood has the most unusual, the most abundant, the most birds, amphibians, flowers or tree species? Find out this summer and head to the iNaturalist Bowen blog to follow the weekly species challenge.

Find iNat at inaturalist.org/

projects/biodiversity-of-bowen-island.

To learn more about the project visit onthewildsideca.wixsite.com/ conservation. If any Bowen businesses would like to provide sponsorship with prizes, please contact louise.loik@bowenislandconservancy.org.

Zone

New transit fares effective July 1

Tap to Pay (Contactless Payment)/ Compass Ticket/Cash

Adult

Compass Ticket/Cash

Concession

Compass Stored Value

to keep Metro Vancouver moving.

Adult

Concession

The scheduled fare change will help TransLink continue to maintain and operate the transit system.

DayPass

Transit fares will increase by 2.3% across all fare products on July 1.

Monthly Pass

translink.ca/farechange

Places of Worship Welcome You BOWEN ISLAND UNITED CHURCH

FOOD BANK DROP-OFF

ST. GERARD’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Masses are live streamed everyday.

Times posted at holyrosarycathedral.org Contact Angela Powell 604-947-2515

CATES HILL CHAPEL

www.cateshillchapel.com 604-947-4260

Current Fares

New Fares Effective July 1

1

$3.00

$3.05

2

$4.25

$4.35

3

$5.75

$5.90

1

$1.95

$2.00

2

$2.95

$3.00

3

$3.95

$4.05

1

$2.40

$2.45

2

$3.45

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$4.50

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1

$1.95

$2.00

2

$2.95

$3.00

3

$3.95

$4.05

Adult

All

$10.50

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Concession

All

$8.25

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Adult

1

$98.00

$100.25

2

$131.00

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3

$177.00

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All

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Concession

Now offering a youtube channel of reflections and hymn/songs with Reverend Lorraine Ashdown and Lynn Williams. youtubewatch?v=tejV7Y6jo

LOUISE LOIK PHOTO

Fiddleheads,

Queen of Capilano Ferry Schedule May to June 24 2021 DEPART BOWEN ISLAND

DEPART HORSESHOE BAY

5:20 am except Sundays 6:20 am 7:30 am 8:35 am 9:40 am 10:50 am 12:00 pm 1:10 pm 2:55 pm 4:00 pm except Wednesdays 5:10 pm 6:15 pm 7:25 pm except Saturdays 8:30 pm 9:30 pm 10:30 pm

5:50 am 6:50 am 8:00 am 9:05 am except Wednesdays 10:15 am 11:25 am 12:35 pm 2:20 pm 3:30 pm 4:35 pm 5:45 pm 6:50 pm 8:00 pm except Saturdays 9:00 pm 10:00 pm

(661 Carter Rd.)

Now offering worship services via Zoom.

A link available on website.

Pastor: Phil Adkins

Note: Schedules subject to change without notice: Please check BCFERRIES.COM Schedule changes on statutory holidays

Why a tiny beach turned into a great big controversy CONTINUED FROM P. 1

Neighbours report frequenting the beach for decades – though always across this path on private property.

In 2017, the then-owner of 1160 Ecclestone proposed a covenant allowing encroaching structures in the public right-of-way and another variance in exchange for making the path public. The owner of the property pulled the offer of the path but the covenant passed anyway in early 2018, prompting fury from some neighbours who had supported the covenant with the understanding they’d be getting the beach access.

So started Friends of Ecclestone Beach.

“People around here…they were so upset and they were so angry,” said Gillian Darling, one of the most vocal members of the informal community group dedicated to protecting (or getting) public access to the beach.

“So that’s why we kept needling [the municipality], Heather [Hodson] and I.” But they were told it was a done deal, indicated Darling.

A dock

Tim Klauke and Rosemary Toye bought 1160 Ecclestone in 2018 and started the dock application process in 2019.

Why the dock? “We are a boating family and have a lot of friends and family who like to use the space on Bowen that we have there,” Klauke told the Undercurrent recently, saying that at this point self-propelled watercraft is their priority. “It is difficult and gets dangerous launching boats on and off a rocky shore and is limited with colder weather.”

A notice posted in the Undercurrent last October, indicating that the province was considering an application for a dock at Ecclestone Beach and asking for public comment, launched a local campaign against the dock. (All private moorage on Crown lands – including all ocean foreshore – requires approval from the province. The department also refers such applications to the municipality for comment and to make sure of bylaw compliance.)

While the property is zoned Water General 1 – which allows private moorage (docks) – there was concern the dock bisected the beach, which is against BIM’s Land Use Bylaw.

The design and location of the dock shifted to the east onto an outcrop but closer to the right-of-way. The Land Use Bylaw mandates a buffer zone of ten metres between docks and public beach accesses (aka the right-of-way) as well as a minimum setback from any lot line of 1.5 metres. The dock also had the possibility of impeding foot access to the beach, another contravention of the bylaw. So, the exchange – reducing the setbacks and providing the path as a statutory right-of-way – came to council in April.

BIM imposed environmental conditions on the variance permit including dock materials that let light reach the water, minimized use of styrofoam, and placing dock components so that they as much as possible avoid any eelgrasses, kelps, clam, or mussels.

Councillors voted unanimously to consider the variance in May.

In the public interest?

Compromise? The public thought not.

Reaction was swift. From neighbours, from community members across the island, from Bowen Island Conservancy – more than hundred letters of opposition flooded the municipality. Only a handful were in favour of the variance.

Arguments against the dock included necessity of preserving public access to and free use of shorelines; the visual and environmental effects of a 37-metre dock; the privatizing effect of a dock on public space; the interest of an individual being prioritized over the interest of the public; and that it contravenes existing bylaws.

A few letters in support of Klauke and Toye spoke to the beach being little used and the impracticality of a staircase.

The dock resistance has hearkened to the 2013 to 2017 battle of the docks at Cape Roger Curtis. A bitter campaign to ban docks at the cape ended with the B.C. Court of Appeal ordering Bowen Island Municipality to issue a building permit for a fifth and final dock at the controversy-laden cape. The length and size of the cape docks was a particular point of bitterness.

Klauke defended the length of what opponents called an “oversized” dock. “The float is the same depth as our neighbour and so it needed to be out further than the neighbour’s [float], just because of the contour of the ocean floor there,” he told the Undercurrent. “So it does jut out further, but it’s [for] that reason.”

bowenislandundercurrent.com granted, so is the right-of-way.

Council reaction

Coun. Alison Morse said that there’s nothing in the Land Use Bylaw that would prohibit the dock. The practicality and safety of a staircase was another concern. “We’ve already got an existing easements that is going to be easy to look after and easy to access for anybody,”she said.

Coun. David Hocking acknowledged the strong emotions but said that his priority is to maintain and improve wherever possible residents’ ocean access. “We’ve got nearly 4,000 of us, most of us aren’t lucky enough to have waterfront properties.

“I want to make sure that this public rightof-way gets us not just to a viewpoint but to this lovely little beach.”

Hocking also doubted the feasibility of the staircase, noting that the design doesn’t reach all the way to the beach and that the route to the beach would be covered in high tide. (Darling argues that in the summertime, low tide is during the day.)

Coun. Michael Kaile also said he was concerned with safety and was not impressed with the potential financial implications of building the staircase. “When you speak to people who have lived in that area for many years...they will confirm that this small area has very minimal usage, largely local,” he said. “But that is not a sufficient reason to expend this amount of municipal dollars.” (Darling points to the Scarborough and Miller’s Landing beaches as examples of where staircases have been put in.)

Mayor Gary Ander said he wouldn’t burden taxpayers with building and maintaining the staircase.

Coun. Rob Wynen had previously expressed dismay at the exchange of the

Thursday, June 17, 2021 • A9

path for the dock, but too balked at the idea of sharing the cost of the staircase and said that he trusted staff expertise.

Coun. Sue Ellen Fast was the lone councillor to vote against the variance Monday.

When the initial application came forward in April, she said she was happy to see the proposal as a means of securing permanent public beach access. But, argued Monday against the variance, contesting the assertion that beach use is minimal.

A dock and a boat would limit public use of a beach, argued Fast. “It would have a negative impact overall on the beach user’s experience and…it would shrink the practical size of the beach,” she said. Also noting potential effects on wildlife and the seabed.

Fast argued the staircase proponents ought to have more time to work with staff on their proposal and to raise funds.

Now that the variance has passed, the dock is in the hands of the province.

Is the fight over?

For Gillian Darling, it isn’t. Her next stop is the province, asking it to reopen comment on the dock proposal, given that the design has changed since last October.

But, she also feels disrespected after the council meeting, particularly the reactions to BIM splitting the cost of the staircase.

“I’m just despairing of this island today,” said Darling Tuesday, “Not the amazing people who came forward on this campaign.

They’ve just been so clear.”

“It won’t cost the municipality any more than they spent on the other neighbourhood beaches,” she said. “We have the chutzpah and the courage and intent to go out and raise the rest, which I believe can be done.

“I felt as if we were being lectured, like recalcitrant school children.”

The staircase

In April, Darling and the Friends of Ecclestone Beach pitched the idea of the staircase and asked for a month to pull a proposal together, which council granted.

The ensuing engineering feasibility report proposed a staircase from the bluff edge, descending 12 to 15 feet to the same outcrop the dock design lands on. The group’s proposal suggested splitting the cost of the staircase – which it estimated at between $30,000 and $58,000 – with BIM. The group said it had raised, so far, $4,000.

BIM manager of planning and development, Daniel Martin, recommended proceeding with the variance. He said the province indicated, in conversation, it would likely require a letter of consent from the owners of 1160 Ecclestone as part of the application for a staircase descending in front of their property. (Darling says that she’s had conversations with the province that indicate this is not the case.) The staircase not being in BIM’s budget, the potential for damage from waves and logs (Darling maintains that the location of the staircase landing is protected from marine debris), and maintenance and replacement costs were among Martin’s reasons for not pursuing the staircase. He also said a variance permit would be required for the staircase, being a structure over two metres high within the Land Use Bylaw sea setback.

Martin’s report estimates that the rightof-way path would cost $6,500 initially and $117 in annual upkeep.

While initially making the path public was conditional on provincial approval of the dock, Klauke and Toye removed that condition, meaning that now that the variance is

PATRICK WEILER MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR WEST VANCOUVER-SUNSHINE COAST-SEA TO SKY COUNTRY

@PatrickBWeiler

National Indigenous Peoples Day This year more than ever, we celebrate the extraordinary contributions Indigenous peoples make in our communities and recommit, as a government and as settler peoples, to walking the path to true reconciliation.

patrick.weiler@parl.gc.ca Tel.: 604-913-2660 | Fax.: 604-913-2664

A10 • Thursday, 17, 2021

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Your Community

MARKETPLACE

Call or email to place your ad, Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm

604-444-3000 • 604-653-7851 classifieds@van.net

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CALENDAR JUNE 120

Catching Stars Celebrates fathers Featuring works by Carlos Vela Martiniz, David Graff, Jack Fawcett, Joel Weise, Robert Neys; 11 am-5 pm daily

JUNE 10JULY 5

Where We Stood Hearth Gallery 11 am-4 pm Thursday-Monday A joint exhibition of poet Jude Neale and artist Jane Kenyon

SATURDAYS

Friends of BI Library is accepting book donations

1 pm to 3 pm Saturdays at the Library Annex. Donations will be perused for condition – check Library website for donation criteria.

FRIDAY JUNE 18

Freedom Fridays happy hour B.I. Pub 4-6 pm Weekly dinner specials, rotating ultra drink

specials

SATURDAY JUNE 19

BAA Farmers' Market BICS parking lot 10 am - noon Made, grown, baked on Bowen.

Bring a mask and cash and please follow the signs

WEDNESDAY JUNE 23

Community Economic

Thursday, June 17, 2021 • A11 Development Plan Town Hall 7-8:30 pm Register: bowenislandmunicipality.ca/rsvp

THURSDAY JUNE 24 Happy Isle Cannabis rezoning open house Zoom. More info bimbc.ca 2-4 pm Saturday June 26

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A12 • Thursday, June 17, 2021

bowenislandundercurrent.com

FATHER'S DAY SUNDAY JUNE 20