Bowen Island Undercurrent July 8 2021

bowenislandundercurrent.com

THE LONELY CHESTNUT: Islanders seeking a tree mate

$1.50

PAGE 6

Thursday, July 8, 2021 • A1 inc.

GST

THURSDAY, JULY 8, 2021

AT THE HEARTH

VOL. 47 NO. 28

BIUndercurrent

BowUndercurrent www.bowenislandundercurrent.com

Di explores the Sea to Sky PAGE 8

Preparing for wildfire season

WHAT TO KNOW & WHERE TO FIND IT CHRISTIE STASHYN

BIM Emergency Program Coordinator

PHOTO COURTESY OF BOWEN ISLAND LIBRARY

AT THE LIBRARY: Starting in September, longtime library head Tina Nielsen will step away for a year and Jennifer

Streckmann will step into her shoes. Read more on p. 9.

Why all of the concern about Land Use Bylaw changes?

BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com

A crew of Bowen Islanders wants Bowen Island Municipality to hit the brakes on a Land Use Bylaw (LUB) amendment coming up for public hear-

ing July 12.

The amendment is the first substantial review of the foundational LUB, which was adopted in 2002.

The scope of what’s been termed a “housekeeping bylaw,” is to amend the LUB to “streamline and clarify” the document “while not changing permitted

uses on properties on Bowen,” according to an October staff report.

“The intent was not to make specific changes but to clarify intent behind regulation,” said BIM’s manager of planning and development Daniel Martin.

CONTINUED ON P. 9

Bowen Island Municipality would like to take the time to remind people of some important factors heading into what is likely to be a long, hot summer. There is a high risk of wildfire right now and continuous drought and an abundance of dry fuels on forest floors are set to make this fire season a challenging one. Currently, there is a burning ban in place until Oct. 15. This includes all forms of burning, including campfires and beach fires.

If you see smoke or fire, please immediately dial either 911 or *5555 to report it directly to BC Wildfires.

Top five things Bowen Islanders can do to prepare for wildfire season: 1) Be prepared: All households on Bowen should have a personal emergency plan. Make a master list of family and emergency numbers and ensure everyone in your household has a copy. Pick a meeting place, plan for your kids (including kids attending school off-island), know where to get information, prepare your home with an emergency kit, stock supplies and know how to turn off your utilities. For more information on what should be in your emergency plan, see gov.bc.ca/ PreparedBC. 2) Be aware: The best way to keep informed about emergent situations on Bowen Island is to sign up for the Alertable App (aka BowENS). More information about this fantastic tool can be found on the municipal website under the Emergency Programs tab.

3) Be informed: Be assured, Bowen Island does have an evacuation plan in place in order to either strategically evacuate (when we have some time) or tactically evacuate (when we don’t have much time) all or part of the island.

CONTINUED ON P. 7

West-side Sunny Bowen Property for Sale!

1540 White Sails Drive 3 Bedroom Main House plus attached 2-level Studio-style Guest Home $1,495,000

Vaune Kolber, Realtor® ~ Bowen’s Bridge to the City BetteronBowen.com 604-506-7534 kolber@dexterrealty.com

A2 • Thursday, July 8, 2021

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Wildfire season is upon us

Events

Seeking Public Comment

Development Variance Permit applications Wildfire season in BC has begun in earnest with the unseasonably hot temperatures, low monthly rainfall, continuing drought conditions and an increased likelihood of Council will be considering two applications for Development Variance Permits at its meeting on: lightning strikes.

July 12, 2021 4:30 pm Public Hearing: Land Use Bylaw Amendments

Regular Council Meeting 6:15 PM on Monday, July 12, 2021 Online via Zoom

Bowen Island Fire Rescue reminds everyone to be aware of FireSmart practices and to keep in mind that our densely forested Island is just as susceptible to wildfire as any other forested community in BC.

July 12, 2021 6:15 pm Regular Council Meeting All meetings are online via Zoom and

open to the public, unless noted

1228 Ocean view Rd (DVP-20210041) Application seeks to reduce rear setback for construction of a garage/ studio.

All open burning (yard cleanup and industrial burning) is prohibited until October 15.

Campfires and beach fires are now prohibited across BC, regardless of the local Fire Danger Rating.

otherwise.

Bowen Island’s Fire Danger Rating is HIGH. The Fire Chief updates the Fire Danger Rating notice board in Snug Cove as conditions change. Please check our website for current conditions and to read about activities that are restricted and prohibited.

To report a forest fire, please call 911. Our local fire department is dispatched faster through 911 than the provincial reporting line.

bowenislandmunicipality.ca/fire-danger

Know the difference between an evacuation ORDER and ALERT

Help stop COVID-19:

In the event of a local emergency, social media and BowENS will play a key role in communicating information and instructions to the community. Follow Bowen Island Municipality on Facebook and Twitter, bookmark the Emergency Operations Centre page, and sign up for emergency notifications through BowENS.

Get vaccinated - everyone over 12 is eligible

An EVACUATION ALERT means you should GET READY to leave your home on short notice.

An EVACUATION ORDER means you MUST leave the area IMMEDIATELY. Your emergency grab-and-go bag should include things like seasonal clothing, medications, ID, cash and your out-of-area contact information.

Stay home if you’re sick

Learn everything you need to know about Bowen’s emergency program at: Consider wearing a mask in indoor public spaces

bowenislandmunicipality.ca/emergency-program Contact Bowen Island Municipality

PAID ADVERTISEMENT July8, 2021

Phone: Fax: Email: Website:

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

1082 Miller Rd (DVP-20210047) Application seeks to permit a number of variances for the development of a 24-unit supportive housing development by the Snug Cove House Society.

These variances would: • Allow a 5.5 metre high retaining wall along the north property line; • Allow a 3.7 metre high cedar trellis and fence along the east property line, for a building entrance and to shield a generator.

The applications may be viewed online at bowenislandmunicipality.ca/planning or at Municipal Hall (hours of operation below).

Written submissions may be delivered to Municipal Hall (contact information below): • • • •

In person By mail By fax By email to mayorandcouncil@bimbc.ca

Verbal submissions may also be made to Council at the meeting.

For instructions on how to participate, please go to: bowenislandmunicipality.ca/council-meetings

Find us on Facebook Bowen Island Municipality

Subscribe to our mailing list bowenislandmunicipality.ca/subscribe

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Walking for justice in our own backyard BRENDA MORRISON

Contributor

North Shore Restorative Justice (NSRJ) has been serving the Bowen Island community for over a decade, through work with police, schools, and our youth’s social justice lab. Restorative justice is a form of justice that works with existing systems to strengthen relationships and repair the harm done following wrongdoing. It is a form of justice that has roots in Indigenous and faith-based traditions, and we are currently developing new initiatives with the Squamish Nation and the Tsleil-Waututh Nation.

The practice of restorative justice has been shown to increase emotional literacy, mental health, empathy, develop understanding across diverse groups, build community and engagement at school, increase confidence in the justice system, reduce repeat offending and save cost in our justice system. One dollar spent on restorative justice saves eight dollars in our conventional justice system.

Restorative Justice offers: • An opportunity to tell your story • A chance to explain how you have been impacted • A safe, caring and respectful place to share your story • Involvement and support through a problem-solving approach • Conflict resolution and a chance to repair relationships • A better understanding of the incident and its impacts

•

An opportunity to take responsibility for one’s actions • Meaningful outcomes and an opportunity for closure The practice is community born and lead, with community members serving in different ways; for example, as board members, volunteer committee members, restorative justice facilitators and supporters within the process.

Every year North Shore Restorative Justice participates in the Scotia Bank Charity Challenge to raise awareness and funds for community-based work. Two Bowen Island residents - Lisa Holland, volunteer facilitator, and myself, also a volunteer facilitator and board member – are excited to be participating in the Scotia Bank Half Marathon on Bowen Island to raise awareness and funds. We will be walking around Killarney Lake six times on July 11, beginning at 8 a.m. There will be information available at the picnic tables at Grafton Road (where you can park) from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please drop by and say hello to our wonderful staff and volunteers, and/or walk a loop of the lake with us. We would also be honoured and grateful for any amount of donation.

Tax receipts are available and you can also donate online at: raceroster.com/ events/2021/31176/2021-scotiabank-vancouver-half-marathon-and-5k/pledge/ team/303063.

We are so excited to be supporting restorative justice in our own back yard of Bowen Island. For more information, including phone and e-mail: nsrj.ca.

227 HIGHLAND TRAIL

Thursday, July 8, 2021 • A3

No new COVID-19 cases in Bowen Island/Lions Bay For the 5,000-odd people of Bowen-Lions Bay area, BCCDC data shows that: • For the second week running, June 28 to July 4, the average daily case rate was zero; • 83 per cent of people 12+ have at least one vaccine dose as of July 5; • 84 per cent of people 18+ have at least one vaccine dose as of July 5; • 78 per cent of adults 18 to 49 have had one vaccine dose as of July 5; • 87 per cent of people 50 and over have at least one vaccine dose.

There are no Bowen vaccination clinics listed on the VCH site.

Islanders stepping up for Dawn Smoke

Dear Bowen Islanders: My dear friend and former Bowen resident Dawn Smoke, who is living in Mexico now (but still keeping up with daily news from home), is sadly experiencing debilitating COPD lately. When I asked her what might have caused this after the climate in Mexico was doing wonders for her arthritis and general well-being, she told me that it seems it’s being triggered by the news: re-surfaced trauma/stress/not sleeping due to the many, many unmarked children’s graves that are being documented almost daily now.

The bitter-sweet good news is that in

Mexico, there is a (very costly) stem cell treatment available that could possibly actually cure both her lungs and heart – i.e. deal with that COPD once and for all, maybe. So our friend Emily has set up a Go Fund Me campaign to help Dawn get this treatment.

I am hoping that with all the people who know and love Dawn, we will be able to raise the funds needed, and most of all, I really, really hope it works!

See the GoFundMe: gofund.me/7214999d or one can directly transfer funds to Dawn’s First Credit Union account.

Silvaine Zimmerman

You can’t be chicken to be a farmer on Bowen Island!

SARAH HAXBY

Farmers’ market co-lead

How did the chicken get to the farmers’ market? Want to meet the plucky entrepreneurs of Bowen Island?

Drop by the Bowen Farmers’ Markets 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays at BICS. Please bring cash or cheques and a basket or box.

Every week there is a core group of vendors committed to selling the freshest locally

$1,385,000

grown produce as well as goods made, grown, and baked on Bowen Island.

At the July 10 market, we have two special guest vendors who are visiting just for this Saturday: Jessy’s cedar planter sale and Star’s regenerative-farm, Bowen raised, commercially processed, frozen chickens.

To see the latest market updates, order a new, blue BAA shirt, please join the Bowen Farmers’ Market Facebook page or email bowenagalliance@gmail.com.

ANGIE KIRK 604-916-3429

Breathtaking South East panoramic views from this bright and cheery log home!

Nestled in on a private lot with a gorgeous garden and expansive decks for your viewing pleasure.

Just a short walk to Eagle Cliff Beach and only minutes to the ferry.

angiekirkrealtor.ca

A4 • Thursday, July 8, 2021

bowenislandundercurrent.com

VIEWPOINTS TO THE EDITOR

What if everybody came to LUB hearing?

DEAR EDITOR: Remarkably, during last year’s public (summer) hearing, no one from the public showed up to comment on major modifications to the island’s Official Community Plan. Could it be that our modern communication channels for public announcements are ineffective?

This year’s public (summer) hearing deals with many perplexing changes to the island’s Land Use Bylaw (LUB). Despite appeals from the public to postpone this hearing, it remains scheduled for July 12 at 4:30 p.m.

Sadly, the meeting will only be via Zoom, for active – but remote – participation.

It’s scheduled too early in the day for those who commute and have to tackle tourist season traffic jams and ferry loads. Won’t the beach look very attractive at this time of the day, especially if temperatures remain high?

But make no mistake, this public hearing is important. It provides the final opportunity for the public to comment on the many changes proposed in Bylaw No. 528/2020.

What may have started off some three years ago as an exercise in benign LUB housekeeping has turned into a convoluted document resembling an omnibus bill, that, if enacted in its entirety, would have a far-reaching impact on the island. If you live, work, play, develop or do business on Bowen Island, the proposed changes are bound to change things for you, in one way or another.

The draft document is 187 pages long and contains 220 comments crafted by BIM staff in an attempt to explain the rationale behind the many recommended changes. This much-awaited version has been posted on BIM’s website, as late as June 28 (https://bowenisland.civicweb.net/document/246946).

If you started that day scrutinizing and processing these comments, at a rate of 16 comments per day you’d be well prepared for the public hearing. If you start only after reading this letter you’re probably better off to wing it. I am willing to bet that between Part 1: Interpretations and Part 7: Development Permit Guidelines, not to mention the blank pages of Schedules B through F, you will find something that will make you scratch your head.

I, for one, can’t figure out why the newly introduced definition of a “fence” in the LUB permits a fence up to 20 cm thick, excluding posts and rails. I am sure there’s a reason, but to me this sounds more like a brick wall, perhaps to be sat upon by Humpty Dumpty?

It’s these kinds of headaches and dilemmas that council needs to hear about at this public hearing before Bylaw 528 gets to third reading to ensure that in the end, all of it makes sense. Otherwise, what’s the point?See you on Zoom and maybe later, on the beach!

Richard Wiefelspuett

July 1 Ecclestone dock letter‘unfair’ DEAR EDITOR: The Canada Day letter to the editor about a proposed Ecclestone dock (page 4) is unfair.

Let’s shed some light on a typical part that beguiles with bits of truth while leading astray. It begins, “Allowing such private docks with anchor blocks dragging the sea floor. . . .” The blocks part is a false premise. In context, the installing of anchor blocks would draw on Kingfisher Docks, AquaTerra Environmental, Underwater Angel Diving and BIM planners. They’re experts, not nitwits.

In the letter, the false “dragging the sea floor” supposedly “undermines current efforts to restore marine habitat in Deep Bay where volunteers are planting eel grass. . . .” In reality, the dock location is far from the eelgrass restoration area at the head of Mannion Bay (Deep Bay). It’s hundreds of metres from

the closest eelgrass bed—near the west end of the Robert road allowance.

Furthermore, the letter signers must not have read the AquaTerra “intertidal and sub-tidal habitat assessment” before urging everyone to fight the dock application based on it. Of course, the experts’ report shows no eelgrass in a wide area around the dock site. It states, “No environmentally sensitive intertidal or subtidal communities of eelgrass were observed” (pages 12 and 26).

Debunking the rest of the Canada Day letter would take all day.

By the way, I only got into this out of civic duty to read the 1160 Ecclestone proposal and send BIM Council my input. I knew little about it and had no opinion. After an hour or so of pondering, I decided it was thoughtful, ecological and fair for all. I still think so.

Jim Wright

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.

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

DEAR EDITOR: If the government really does allow a private dock on a tiny public beach which has been used for 100 years by people, and still is, then I see only one compromise: that the private dock has to allow public use for the swimmers of the area in perpetuity. One can use one side for boats and one side for swimming, with a safe way to access it from the public beach.

Furthermore, as we have seen from the docks built at Cape Roger Curtis, six metres is way too high and would ruin the enjoyment of the beach for the public, and would also make it difficult for swimmers to use this facility.

Imke Zimmermann

Re:‘Out of touch’ Trust

DEAR EDITOR: We do not need further Islands Trust “sweeping changes” on Bowen. Our current municipality is doing just fine.

The Islands Trust seems to be trying to reduce the ability of working people to either live or be employed on the islands. There is little awareness of the requirements of the different islands. They are out of touch with the realities of living on an island.

I have been continually disappointed by the poor governance by Trust. Yet we still pay them $305,000 per year to review our island’s municipality’s work. It’s time to remove Bowen Island from the Trust.

Rondy Dike 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.

Re: Ecclestone dock use

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, July 8, 2021 • A5

TO THE EDITOR

IslandsTrust draft statement a‘blatant power play’ Responding to points in last week’s Ecclestone Beach letter

DEAR EDITOR: The following is a letter shared with the Islands Trust Executive Committee and Trustees.

How dare you? Add my voice to the chorus protesting the overreach of authority Imbedded in the New Islands Trust Policy (NITP), which your Executive Committee proposes to rush to first reading without adequate consultation with the affected communities and residents.

Shame on you! The stealth and speed surrounding this action by your executive signifies a blatant power play. The proposed expansion of the Islands Trust mandate by your executive is a crass and cynical move to jump on the bandwagon of today’s major headline issues. It reveals a total disregard for the rights of your constituents – individual island residents, families, local businesses and communities.

Climate change, First Nations reconciliation, diversity, affordable housing, etc. are being addressed by numerous federal and provincial agencies, as well as by our own municipal government here on Bowen Island. We do not need the Islands Trust to “focus its lens” on these matters, nor will we tolerate the inevitable increase this would involve in your already excessive annual assessments.

Equally egregious are the prohibitive powers the Islands Trust would impose on quality of life choices for island residents, such as restrictions on desalinization facilities, floats, docks, agriculture and commercial ventures on private

property. You seem to have lost sight that people live on these islands and have the right to create homes, work and raise their families with a reasonable degree of freedom.

The Islands Trust has ample, even excessive, power under its original mandate. Stick to it! This draft cannot proceed to first reading without first completing and documenting comprehensive public consultation and public input, including impact assessments of your expanded oversight on the lives and lifestyles of the residents you are supposed to be benefiting. Despite your various claims and published timelines, you have not undertaken adequate public consultation.

If the Islands Trust dares ram this policy through, you will clearly face challenges in court. Further, as you are well aware, significant skepticism already abounds here on Bowen Island about the value of the Islands Trust to our community. Be assured that should you approve this document for first reading, that skepticism will explode, laying the groundwork for our final exodus.

Do the right thing: cancel the first reading on your agenda. Then refocus your “lens” where it belongs – preserving and protecting the Islands Trust area and its unique amenities and environment for the benefit of the residents and of British Columbia generally.

Gayle Stevenson

Trust draft policy‘forward-looking’ DEAR EDITOR: I have recently written to the Islands Trust Council to express my strong support for the proposed Islands Trust Policy Statement Bylaw No. 183.

I moved to Bowen Island 32 years ago, knowing and celebrating the fact that I was moving to an island within the Islands Trust. I have long recognized that living on such an island is not simply a privilege, it is also a responsibility – a responsibility captured in the act as “to preserve and protect the Trust area and its unique amenities and environment for the benefit of all residents of British Columbia.”

With the very real global-scale and local-islandscale threats of climate change and population growth, not just to human well-being but to the well-being of all forms of life, there is a new level

of urgency in ensuring that we collectively and proactively commit to the “preserve and protect” mandate, in a much broader context. The Islands Trust Policy Statement is forward-looking. It challenges us to examine current perceptions about the rights and responsibilities of individuals and the role and responsibilities of our municipality. It guides us in questioning long-held beliefs about what is “good for our community,” and asks us to moderate the desire for economic development with a deeper desire to truly preserve and protect our island.

I am very grateful to live on an island within the Islands Trust, and grateful for all that the Trust does to support us in our commitment to our island - both community and nature.

Rosemary Knight

Anonymous mailout not from Concerned Citizens Bowen

DEAR EDITOR: On behalf of Concerned Citizens Bowen, a group reactivated in 2015 to campaign against the proposed Woodfibre LNG plant in Squamish, I am letting you know that we are in no way affiliated with individuals or a group called ‘Concerned Citizens of the Islands’ who sent out an anonymous flyer to you recently.

Concerned Citizens Bowen involves itself with the well-being of the natural world, as we were inspired by the signs of recovery around us in the waters of Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound.

An LNG plant with a seawater cooling system in a herring spawn area and LNG super tankers going back and forth to it, did not rhyme with that recovery, and so we sprung to action.

We soon learned also that building new fossil fuel infrastructure in a climate emergency is not a sensible thing to do. Many of us have to come

to that realization after last week’s heat wave with unprecedented temperatures of over 40 C. So instead of advocating for the interest of individuals or special interest groups, Concerned Citizens Bowen champions the commons, the interest of the collective: all of nature that includes humans.

It should come as no surprise that we respect and support the work of the Island’s Trust –an organization unique in the world – with a focus on preserving and protecting the unique amenities and environments of the islands in the Salish Sea. We are lucky to have the Trust.

You can contact Concerned Citizens Bowen through our website concernedcitizens.ca or info@ccbowen.ca.

Anton van Walraven On behalf of Concerned Citizens Bowen

DEAR EDITOR: On June 14, the BIM Council voted six to one to approve my family’s proposal that enables a tiny new public beach near Ecclestone Viewpoint on the north shore of Mannion Bay. It finally provides a lawful and safe public pathway across our front garden to the beach. Thanks to teamwork from Bowen council and staff, it’s our gift to the Bowen community.

Before the vote, Mayor Gary Ander commented: “I was a little surprised and maybe a little disappointed that there was a lot of errors, misrepresentation in the letters [of opposition]. I thought that was unfortunate, and it took a lot of credibility out of the letters.” It appears the errors and misrepresentations continue.

The six council members who voted in favour of my family’s proposal on June 14 had thoroughly studied the site and weighed citizens’ input, but readers of the Friends of Ecclestone Letter published in the Undercurrent on July 1 might miss the errors cited therein.

For accurate information, Google “BIM council meeting - June 14 2021.

Begin with Coun. Alison Morse’s concise critique at the 1:03 mark. Within five minutes, Ms. Morse states: • “There already is a dock there, and this one will be parallel and roughly the same size, so it’s not bothering the visuals from the beach.”

• “Article 5 of the Mannion Bay License of Occupation clearly contemplates other docks. . . .”

• “There is nothing in the bylaws that prohibits this dock.”

• “The dock doesn’t impact the access to the Ecclestone beach.

• “The variances are all for the benefit of the community.”

• The proposed stairs would be dangerous and not practical.

“And we already have an existing easement that’s going to be easy to access and easy to look after for anybody.”

• “I find it quite incredible that people that have docks have objected to somebody else having one.”

In addition to the statements of Coun. Morse, I address the concerns of Ecclestone ‘Friends’ in turn: Issue 1 with respect to proposed dock size: The float size has been reduced and the variance enables the dock to be five inches shorter. The dock will not overwhelm the pocket beach. It ensures access to the pocket beach and allows recreational use of the beach while being consistent with development goals and present development in the area.

Issue 2 regarding an “exchange”: The SROW for beach trail access was offered in exchange for a dock setback variance. To appreciate a longstanding community desire for access to

the beach, the SROW was granted and this kind of arrangement is a normal and frequent by-product between local government and private land owners where both parties benefit. There is no malfeasance here and nothing exceptional about the agreement.

Issue 3 with respect to interference with water access to the beach: It is simply not true that the dock interferes with water access to the beach by swimmers. The area immediately around the proposed dock is not suitable or desired for water entry.

This development does nothing but eliminate safety concerns and to suggest otherwise is misleading.

Issue 4 with respect to contravention of the land use bylaw: Variances exist explicitly to consider unique hardships and unanticipated consequences of the strict application of a bylaw. The minor concern requiring a variance was to allow for moving the dock as far away from the beach as possible such that it does not impose. To now assert a contravention because the dock is “too close to the adjacent road allowance” when the alternative is seeking a variance to place the dock closer to, or on, the beach is guileful. But, even more significant is that a neighbour’s legal non-conforming boat house and dock already extend immediately from the adjacent road allowance, preventing any future road allowance development.

Issue 5 about ecological concern: We are committed to net ecological benefit. We gladly agreed to ecological measures, including dock materials and building protocol, that BIM staff and First Nations governance identified for us. We have accepted, satisfied, and adhered to all provincial requirements and ecological measures. We are drawing on intertidal and subtidal studies

by AquaTerra Environmental Ltd and Underwaterangel Diving Services. The float anchor blocks will not be “dragging” but be firmly placed, with ecological care.

What good is Official Community Planning and designating potential land use to residents of Bowen Island through community visioning documents when land owners are denied the opportunity to use their property for the exact purpose for which Bowen Island municipal documents permit?

Further, land use is beyond the purview of the Province of British Columbia, having been delegated to Bowen Island Municipality. The matter was vociferously debated and counsel has astutely considered all pertinent and relevant facts in approving the dock.

In the spirit of the proposal accepted

by Bowen council six to one, my family will continue our efforts to make the aquatic area suitable for swimmers, watercraft and ecological diversity. We welcome constructive teamwork from sincere neighbours.

Tim Klauke

A6 • Thursday, July 8, 2021

bowenislandundercurrent.com

NEXT AT THE HEARTH

The past, present and future of the lonely Davies Orchard Chestnut

‘Art for Sea to Sky’

by Bowen’s Di

MERIBETH DEEN

Contributor

But its blooms have no more blooms to answer them. No mates exist for countless miles around, and a chestnut, though both male and female, will not serve itself.

—The Overstory, Richard Powers The Homesteaders Act of 1872 offered a sweet deal for British citizens: if you promised to build a permanent structure and get food to market within three years, you could claim up to 160 acres as your own for a mere $10. This was what brought William Davies, his wife Florence and their thirteen children to Snug cove in 1887. The land was already cleared and only a few trees were left standing: a Douglas Fir, a Cherry Tree, and a Chestnut.

The Chestnut, who we know to be at least 149 years old stands today at a height of 21 metres.

Her trunk is wide enough to require the arms of three (or more) adults in order to receive a proper hug, and is covered in large, curvaceous knobs.

This tree is no common horse-chestnut. She’s a Castanaea sativa, a sweet chestnut, a survivor of the last ice age who sought refuge from the cold in a warm pockets of southern Europe. The tree provided a critical source of sustenance for many peoples, in particular those living at higher altitudes. The American Chestnut, Castanae dentata, once dominated the forests of Eastern North America and provided a staple food for the peoples who lived there. A mature tree could produce up to 100 pounds of nuts per year.

Our tree, however, makes no such offering. You see, she needs a mate. It’s not really a boy-girl thing, it’s more a stamens and pistils thing, and

CHERIE WESTMORELAND PHOTO

Islanders are seeking a mate for this, at least, 149-year-old Chestnut in Davies Orchard.

all chestnut trees have both. But this tree has no mate, and with no mate, there’s no fruit and there will be no young chestnut trees either.

At 150 (or thereabouts) she’s in her prime and deserves companionship. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to celebrate the fruits of her labours?

Back in January, 2020, Pauline Le Bel formally introduced me to this tree, and the two of us started dreaming. What if we could hook her up? Get her a profile on Tinder for Trees, maybe even find her true love, long-term companionship…

Pauline found a potential partner early this winter and we set to work making calls and organizing logistics. A partnership with Bowen Island Heritage Preservation Association allowed us to apply for a grant with the Community Foundation, which has kindly agreed to support the project. Metro Parks has agreed to help us find an appropriate planting site and get the second tree (also Castanae Sativa) in the ground.

With any luck, we will celebrate their union with all of you as a part of Apple Fest in October.

To see a video reading of Pauline’s poem written in dedication to the tree, head to YouTube and look up: “The Chestnut Agreement.”

Places of Worship Welcome You BOWEN ISLAND UNITED CHURCH Now offering a youtube channel of reflections and hymn/songs with Reverend Lorraine Ashdown and Lynn Williams. youtubewatch?v=tejV7Y6jo

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 (661 Carter Rd.)

Now offering worship services via Zoom.

A link available on website.

Pastor: Phil Adkins

From deep in the ocean, all the way up to Garibaldi Lake, the Hearth’s latest exhibit from Di, of Art by Di, dives into the natural history of our home fjord.

‘Art for Sea to Sky: Exploring the Science, Nature and Beauty of Atl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound’ is Di’s first solo show, though she’s been involved in several Hearth and off-island exhibits in the past decade.

“I basically wanted to do a show that celebrated the love and the beauty I see in Howe Sound,” said the Bowen artist. “And I’m hoping to dig a little deeper than that and talk about more of the science and the history.”

Included in the selection of 13 new works is a depiction of the sound’s celebrity species – glass sponge reefs.

“They were only discovered back in the ’80s, off the coast of British Columbia.

Before, they were thought to be completely extinct since the time of the dinosaurs,” enthused Di. Howe Sound has more than a dozen reefs. “They are these remarkable, otherworldly, deep sea reefs that are filter feeders and they filter massive amounts of water.

“They’re extremely important to the ecosystem here but they’ve been really badly damaged by bottom trawling,” said Di. Quillback rockfish and shiner perch mill around reefs in ‘Fragment.’

“It was a challenge to work on, because I’ve never actually been down there to see them,” said Di. But she met with Adam Taylor – who has been long involved in the effort to protect Howe Sound’s glass sponge reefs and ocean

‘Fragment,’ 2021 by Di. life – and examined videos and photos of the sessile sea creatures and their silica skeletons.

She uses the paintings as a platform for education and action.

There’s the story of the rehabilitation of Britannia Mine – told in part through a painting of the dock posts eroding down into the ocean. “It’s almost a success story, because salmon are now returning to Britannia Creek to spawn, which they hadn’t done in a 100 years.”

While each painting will have a little writeup, there’ll also be an online component folks can visit for more information (artbydi.ca/artforseatosky/).

“Because I don’t expect everyone to stand in the gallery for two hours and read all my write ups,” laughs Di. She’s donating a portion of all of the sales to the Howe Sound/Atl’ka7tsem Marine Reference Guide (howesoundguide.ca), and a printout of the organization’s newly launched comprehensive Marine Reference Guide for the sound will feature in the show.

There’s also a colouring book of the paintings for sale.

The show runs July 8 to Aug. 2 with an opening reception on July 10 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Queen of Capilano Ferry Schedule June 25 to September 6 2021

DEPART BOWE EN ISLAND

DE EPART HORSESHOE BAY

5:20 am except Su undays 6:20 am 7:20 am 8:35 am 9:35 am 10:40 am 12:05 pm 1:15 pm 2:40 pm 4:00 pm except Wednesdays 5:10 pm 6:15 pm 7:20 pm except Saturdays 8:50 pm 9:50 pm 10:50 pm

5:50 am 6:50 am 8:00 am 9:05 am except Wednesdays 10:10 am 11:15 am 12:40 pm 1:55 pm 3:20 pm 4:40 pm 5:45 pm 6:50 pm 7:50 pm except Saturdays 9:20 pm 10:20 pm

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

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, July 8, 2021 • A7

Five ways to prepare for emergencies: emergency program coordinator CONTINUED FROM P. 1

Please take the time to get familiar with the Bowen Island Emergency Guide to learn about evacuation alerts and orders or shelter-in-place orders. For a more detailed account, see the Bowen Island Evacuation Plan 2020. Also, be on the lookout for an educational leaflet on evacuations set to be mailed out to residents soon!

4) Be ready to go: You may need to leave immediately in the event of an emergency. Be ready to go by having a smaller version of your emergency kit in an easy-to-access place in your home. In addition to having one at home, create graband-go bags for your workplace and vehicles that contain: • Food (ready to eat) and water • Phone charger and battery bank • Small battery-powered or hand-crank radio • Battery-powered or handcrank flashlight • Extra batteries • Small first-aid kit and personal medications • Personal toiletries and items, such as an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses • Copy of your emergency plan, copies of important documents, such as insur-

ance papers Cash in small bills Local map with your family meeting place identified • Seasonal clothing and an emergency blanket • Pen and notepad • Whistle 5) Be involved: Bowen Island has two wonderful emergency response volunteer programs that provide vital support to the emergency program and are ready to respond if need be.

Neighbourhood Emergency Response Program (NERP): NERP is a municipality-sponsored, grassroots program of neighbours supporting neighbours in emergency situations. The NERP’s purpose is to increase our personal and collective level of preparedness and self-sufficiency in the event of an emergency, such as an earthquake, wildfire, or extended power outage. It is critical that every household is personally prepared and ready to help themselves and assist their neighbours.

As a NERP volunteer, you will take an active role in your neighbourhood’s emergency preparation. In the event of an emergency, you will help coordinate your neighbourhood’s response and recovery, ensuring the safety and security of you, your family and your • •

neighbours. In doing this, you will be playing a significant role in the resilience of our island community.

Emergency Support Services (ESS): ESS provides short-term assistance to British Columbians who are forced to leave their homes because of fire, floods, earthquakes or other emergencies.

Assistance may include food, lodging, clothing, emotional support and family reunification services.

ESS may also provide specialized services such as first-aid, child minding, pet care and transportation. Typically, a reception centre would be set up as a central base for evacuees in the event of an emergency that forces people from their homes. A list and map of potential Bowen Island reception centres is available on the BIM website. It is critical that you check the municipal website and/ or listen to local radio during an emergency to determine which reception centre(s) have been opened.

Throughout the province, thousands of ESS volunteers train and prepare so that when an emergency or disaster affects their community, they are ready to help. ESS volunteers also gain valuable personal preparedness skills, which can assist them and their family in times of a disaster. Bowen Island

Only 10 Racquet Sport Memberships left!

ESS volunteers are also able to volunteer themselves to be deployed to other areas of the province in need of support. Currently, BI ESS has volunteers ready to be virtually deployed to the fire response in Lytton. In years past, the previous EPC as well as ESS volunteers have deployed to various emergency response situations province-wide. The Bowen Island ESS Team has a solid base of dedicated volunteers, however, there is always a need for more individuals to join the ESS team.

All resources sited above can be accessed through the BIM website under Services // Emergency Programs. Please contact the BIM Emergency Program Coordinator via phone at 604.947.4255 ext 251 or cstashyn@bimbc.ca. BIM Emergency Program wishes everyone a warm, wonderful and safe summer!

Christie Stashyn is Bowen Island Municipality’s new part-time emergency program coordinator, taking the reins from former coordinator Jennifer McGowan.

The coordinator oversees and coordinates the community’s emergency management program. The islander has worked in the emergency support sector for nearly two decades. “From fielding emergency

Presented by

calls in a demanding communications centre to organizing first response efforts, Christie offers a wealth of experience to be applied here on Bowen Island,” said a press release.

“In her position as Training Coordinator with the Surrey Operational Communications Centre, she participated in the development of training around responses to active threats and large-scale regional disasters,” said the release. “Christie also has had extensive training in the field of threat assessment, communications and adult instruction facilitated by the Justice Institute of British Columbia.”

Christie Stashyn – courtesy of BIM.

New paintings by

www.thehearth.ca | 604.947.2454

R O F T AR

SEA

Portion of proceeds donated to

Di

Y K to S

f auty o e b d nd e an natur /Howe Sou , e c n ie m the sc Atl’ka7tse loring

Exp

July 8 th - Aug 2nd 2021

The Hearth Gallery, Bowen Island, BC

www.artbydi.ca

Artist Party: Sat. July 10 th 6 - 8 pm

Tunstall Bay Community Association is welcoming 10 additional Racquet Sport memberships for the season. We are currently 70% sold out—first come, first served!

Come see our brand new court facilities: *2 Tennis Courts *2 Pickleball Courts *1 Basketball court *2 Four-square courts We welcome new members from all over the island. Available spaces will fill quickly —contact us today! www.tunstallbay.org “Members” or email membership@tunstallbay.org

A8 • Thursday, July 8, 2021

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Get to know your neighbour NEXT IN THE SERIES: KATHERINE WOLTERS

When did you arrive on Bowen Island?

We bought our house in July 2007.

How did you come to be on Bowen?

We lived in North Van and we were pretty happy in our condo but would always be looking at the real estate offerings and just found things too expensive. Then we ended up with this huge flood in our apartment – the guy upstairs, I think a service line blew on his washer/dryer, and he wasn’t home. We ended up having to move out of the apartment for two months, living in a hotel that would take our cat. We were planning go back but then we ran into friends who live on Bowen, and they put the idea in our heads. We started looking and realized, instead of buying in the bottom of the market, we were actually going to be more in the middle, with that same amount of money.

We didn’t buy the first house we saw, but we bought almost the first house we saw.

We didn’t even like the house that much but it was not too far from the ocean. My husband was away in Europe for a work trip and I went back to time the walk from the door – we’re not waterfront at all, but it was a four-minute walk down the trail to the ocean.

We’re still in the same house and it has all the same issues that we thought it was going to have.

Where on Bowen do you live?

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

I never fill the gap. Everyone has said that they do and I’m like, No, I do not fill the gap, unless I’m absolutely certain – basically if hasn’t gone above the pharmacy.

What’s your favourite Bowen fact or story?

There’s always some Bowen connection somewhere, wherever you go.

Even my sister for instance. Her new boyfriend, he’s best friends with people [who live Bowen].

My sister phoned and told me Glen was going to be on Bowen, visiting the friends.

Then I had to go to an appointment at the doctor’s office and who do I walk by, but a table with those friends. Of course, he looked up and totally recognized me, although we’d never met, because I look enough like my sister. But we just met eyes and that was it – the first checking out of my sister’s new boyfriend. He wasn’t there anymore when I came back out again, but it was funny.

What’s something Bowen Islanders have in common?

The connection to water and the environment itself here. We used to commute by boat and a lot of our neighbors here in Eagle Cliff do. So there’s awareness of the water and what’s going on with the weather. We all talk about the weather, it’s really pertinent.

What’s your favourite COVID-19 balm or activity?

I’ve been ocean swimming. I’ve been doing a ton more of that, because I can just go in the middle of the day. We’ve gone through most of the winter – started way earlier and ended way later last year in November – long-distance swimming.

There’s a bunch of different SwimBowen, type personalities who’ve been doing that, too. But I’m definitely one of the people that’s been getting in the water quite a bit more than I did before.

Bowen Island RCMP’s June statistics CPL. ADAM KOEHLE

Bowen Island RCMP

The Bowen Island RCMP responded to 63 calls for service in June 2021: • 1 of those files was a roadblock; • 3 of those files were related to traffic complaints or enforcement; • 1 of those files was a drivers licence suspension for impaired driving; • 3 of those files were requests to check a persons well-being; • 1 of those files was a report of people operating jet skis dangerously in Snug Cove; • 4 of those files were minor vehicle collisions;

•

3 of those files were reports of mischief to property.

As the restaurants and pubs thankfully open back up for indoor dining and patrons begin to enjoy all that our amazing local establishments have to offer, please remember the need for a sober driver at the end of the night. Impaired driving is one of the leading causes of injury or death on our roadways, and the penalties for getting caught are severe. An impaired driving charge can impact your life for years to come, and can easily be avoided by calling a sober friend for a ride.

We will be out on the roadways to deter impaired driving, so be prepared to see us at the roadblocks.

What’s happening on Bowen this summer? Send in your stories, photos, (free) event listings to editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com.

It’s time to rebuild our community connections! We’ve all missed seeing familiar faces at the baseball field or outside the grocery store – even missed arguing with some of those faces about now seemingly mundane topics. Soon, it may even be time to gather.

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, July 24, 2021 • A9

How LUB bylaw amendments could affect home car repairs CONTINUED FROM P. 1

But some islanders are saying this housekeeping could significantly affect their businesses or hobbies.

The bylaw came to the public realm in January 2020 and then received first reading in October 2020 and second reading in May 2021. As of July 5, BIM had received 36 comments on the subject.

Some of the proposed changes are small (for example, “parcel” and “lot” are used interchangeably through the bylaw – so amendment makes everything “lot.”)

But there are consequential amendments for home owners and builders – the definition of “building” is modified as is how building floor areas, grade and height are calculated as well as lot coverage. There are changes to limit projections into side setbacks (like decks) and to limit the size of landscaping ponds.

Some uses are amalgamated under a single definition (eg. Cottage and artisan industry; agriculture and horticulture; office and general services; inn and guest house). And some definitions are added “light manufacturing,” “fence,” “cemetery,” “retaining wall,” “wood processing” among others.

E-vehicle charging is added as allowed at gas stations and there’s an allowance for solar panels to exceed the building height limits.

Oil-water separators will be required with automobile repair across the island (not just in the zone allowing vehicle repair garage) and six parking spaces for vehicle repair garages across all zones.

Letters to council and to the Undercurrent have commented that the bylaw was branded as a “housekeeping” bylaw while making some significant changes to the LUB, also noting that the conclusion of public consultation – the public hearing – will be held over Zoom, in the summertime, at 4:30 p.m.

However, some of the loudest outcry has been over a modification to what’s allowed

for vehicle repair under the “home occupation” section of the bylaw. The bylaw currently allows for hobby or home occupation maintenance of one motor vehicle, licenced or not, at a time on a property, with the requirement that the repairs be done within a year. The amendment limits this further, allowing the maintenance of just one motor vehicle per month per property.

Howe Sound Automotive grew out of the pandemic. For nearly two decades, Geoff Degner had been bringing islanders’ cars to the mainland garage he worked at and back. When COVID-19 hit, the shop closed its doors. “He quickly acted and started his own automotive company on Bowen Island, because he had, 17 years worth of clientele over here,” said wife Kirsten Degner. They contacted the municipality and asked after land available on island that they could purchase and zone for automobile repair. “We were told at that time, that there is absolutely nothing that’s available because Bowen just has a real lack of any industrial land,” she said. They instead got a home occupation business license, the limitation being they’re only allowed to have one vehicle on the property at a time for repair. So, Kirsten picks up the vehicles, brings them to Geoff to fix, and then returns them.

While their business could continue as non-conforming if the bylaw passes, they can neither halt the business for six months nor move or they’d then have to adhere to the new bylaw.

The fledgling business has neighbourhood support, said Kirsten and with the one car at a time limitation, there’s no room to grow the business, she said. “It just puts a real emphasis that we need more industrial space on Bowen Island for people like us, because it’s these types of trades that keep our island going.”

old 1920s Buicks for their own enjoyment,” said Hawthorn. “Because of the [existing] wording of the bylaw, we fall into the same category as a commercial garage or a homebased, commercial garage.

“With the new wording, there’s a whole bunch of new restrictions, that means we can’t do what it is that we like to do.”

Hawthorn is concerned with a lack of clarity (for example, what applies to hobbists vs. vehicle repair garages) and that, as an established bylaw, it should be interpreted literally, rather than based on 20-year-old intent.

On the other hand, Martin points out the provision lumping in “hobby” with “home occupation” has been in the bylaw since 2002. He said that the intent of the bylaw amendments is not to lump in commercial garages and hobbyists (and by his reading of the bylaw, one wouldn’t need six parking spaces for a hobby use).

The majority of letters to BIM have been about this provision, said Martin, and he’ll present council with options of leaving the proposed amendment unchanged, removing “hobby” wording from the “home occupation” section or removing that proposed change altogether.

The public hearing is the last opportunity for council to hear from the public – after that council may receive no more written or verbal submissions on the topic. The bylaw then is considered for third reading and following that, adoption.

See more information at bowenislandmunicipality.ca/land-use-bylaw-amendment.

But, for BIM, the limitation of one car per month, restores the intent of the bylaw.

Meet the new interim library director

The Bowen Island Library Board is pleased to announce that Jennifer Streckmann has been hired to fill the position of interim library director. She’ll be filling in for chief librarian Tina Nielsen, who will be on leave from September 2021 to September 2022.

Jennifer is currently a librarian at the Vancouver Public Library, where she has been an active participant in developing new programs and initiatives, both as a children’s librarian and as a member of the cultural programming team. She also has extensive experience working with Indigenous partners, most recently as the lead for VPL’s Indigenous Storyteller in residence.

“We’re delighted to welcome Jennifer to the library team. Her solid library experience, her interest in programming, and her leadership through service philosophy

“When you talk to people who adopted that home occupation regulation, they say it was never intended to be used as a main business…it was intended [that] somebody could fix a car and they could sell it if they wanted to,” said Martin.

It’s unusual for a LUB to have automobile repair as home occupation, says BIM’s frequently asked questions section of the bylaw amendment webpage. “We looked around at other municipalities similar to Bowen and couldn’t find an example of it anywhere else in B.C.” It notes environmental and regulatory concerns. “Properties zoned residential have different regulations for land use than those zoned commercial, so there’s a special definition for home occupation that’s more restrictive. This is to protect residential neighbourhoods and the environment.”

Under the amendments, the restrictions placed on vehicle repair garage (oil-water barriers, six parking spaces) apply across the island rather than just in the two zones that have specific designations for vehicle repair garages (where Leigh Automotive is).

Brad Hawthorn is concerned that the sweeping LUB amendments will affect hobby automobile enthusiasts.

Hawthorn collects and restores old motorcycles. Under the bylaw amendment, he’d be allowed to work on one motorcycle a month, and by his reading, would need six parking spaces to do so. “There’s all kinds of people squirreled away on the island [who] build old hot rods or restore

made her a natural choice for the position,” said board chair Susan Munro. “And we were so pleased to discover that she had recently moved to Bowen!”

Chief librarian Tina Nielsen is also thrilled to welcome Jen to the Bowen Library team.

“Jen’s recent experience at the Vancouver Public Library will serve her well in her new role as library director, and this is a great opportunity for our library’s programs and services to be viewed from a fresh perspective. I’m happy to be handing over the reins to such a capable and motivated individual and grateful to be able to spend more time with my family. I look forward to returning to the Bowen library in 2022.”

Jen will begin work at the Bowen Library on August 16.

Bowen Island Library Board

Comings and goings: An islander wrote in recently the idea of a “comings and goings” column, which I love. So if you know of people moving off-island, and you wish to say goodbye, and if you know of people moving here, and you wish to say hello, drop me an email: editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com! -Bronwyn

Patient of the Week BELLA Bella came in recently to have her very long toenails trimmed.

Its important in older cats to keep an eye on their nails, as they stop going outside or using scratch posts they can become painfully long very quickly! Over grown nails can sometimes lead to infections. If you think your cat needs a nail trim, feel free to give us a call and book a quick appointment.

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

A10 • Thursday, July 8, 2021

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Your Community

MARKETPLACE bowenislandundercurrent.com

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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To advertise please call 604-947-2442 or email ads@bowenislandundercurrent.com

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, July 8, 2021 • A11

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A12 • Thursday, July 8, 2021

JULY & AUGUST

Bowen Island Library Calling all super sleuths!

Come to the library and sign up for the BC Summer Reading Club. This free program encourages kids to read over the summer.

JULY 1 - 15

“Catching Stars Gallery features artworks in the

bowenislandundercurrent.com

COMMUNITY CALENDAR theme of Canadiana Flora and Fauna in celebration of our rich natural heritage.”

Open daily 11 am - 5pm

JULY 8 - AUG. 2

Art for Sea to Sky – new paintings from Di Hearth Gallery

FRIDAY JULY 9

Freedom Fridays happy hour B.I. Pub 4-6 pm

SATURDAY JULY 10

Friends of BI Library book sale Library Annex lawn 10 am-noon The first offering will be children books only so come and stock up on summer reading! Sale will be cancelled if raining.

Baby + kid market on the pier 10 am-3 pm; There will be bassinets,

toys, books, clothes and beautiful gifts. People can reach out to us at this email with any questions: tellyourfriendscafe@gmail. com. Cohosted by Branch and Tell Your Friends BAA Farmers’ Market BICS 10 am - noon Made, grown, baked on Bowen.

Bring a mask and cash and please follow the signs

Atl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound’ Artist’s party The Hearth Gallery; 6-8 pm

‘Art for Sea to Sky: Exploring the Science, Nature and Beauty of

Rotary Club talk: Colleen O’Neil of Caring Circle & Kim Sinclair of Better

TUESDAY JULY 13

Summer Reading Club Craft 2-3 pm Through B.I. Public Library. Draw a moon bunny with author and illustrator Grace Lin (Ages 3-8). Virtual Event.

Registration is required.

at Home Online 7:30 pm Check bowenrotary.ca a day ahead for Zoom information.

Summer Reading Club: Meet the author 11 am - noon Through B.I. Public Library. Sing along with Pete the Cat’s original author Eric Litwin (All Ages).

Virtual Event. Registration is required.

THURSDAY JULY 15

Send in event listings to editor@ bowenislandundercurrent.com

Notice of Public Hearing LOST CAT

We have lost our beautiful Calico cat July 4th in the vicinity of Old Eagle Cliff Road and Baker Road.

We don't know her age as she was a rescue cat and adopted by us through Cawes about 8 yrs. ago Contact us (Alice and Keith) at 604-947-0023

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

May 2021

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)

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

March 2021

PUBLIC 2nd HEARING Reading

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.