The zoning bylaw review continues!

Our next Climate Cafe will be Friday, Feb 28, 1–3PM in the Pioneer Room of Manson’s Hall.

In response to our January Climate Cafe, the SRD made a small change to the proposed new zoning bylaw -- the largest rurally-zoned properties (26 of them) will be allowed just 6 dwellings, which is the same as under the current bylaw. Now, the number of potential new dwellings added by the proposed bylaw is 427 (down from 453). You can see all the details and the maps at https://srd.ca/cortes-zoning-bylaw-review/, as well as posted in the entryway at Manson’s Hall. The charts attached below might also be helpful.

Also, the SRD is gathering community input regarding our interest in limiting the size of primary dwellings on all properties. The purpose would be to ensure no more mega-mansions get built here.

At our next cafe, we’ll focus conversation on the specifics of the proposed changes and how we might provide feedback as a group to shape our zoning bylaw more thoughtfully. Here are the questions to guide our conversation:

1. Does increasing allowed densities on virtually every size and type of residential parcel achieve the goal of promoting affordable housing AND align with our Official Community Plan (OCP)? See below.

2. Do we want to have increased density linked to criteria, such as clustering of buildings, keeping building sizes small, providing affordable housing, having year-round occupancy (as opposed to often-empty vacation homes), restricting additional short-term rentals, and/or providing other community benefits?

3. Do we want to limit sizes for all buildings and not just secondary dwellings?

4. Are there other ways to use the zoning bylaw to better shape our community for a more resilient future?

come be part of the conversation!

~ Cortes Climate Action Network



The guiding principles of our Official Community Plan:

· Support development that is mindful of the capacity of the land and that does not disturb Cortes’ rural character.

· Maintain a supply of land for commercial development in suitable locations.

· Maintain a balance between regulation of land use and the desire for a lifestyle that allows for a high degree of self-expression with respect to use of property.

· Promote a level of community services to ensure the safety, health, and welfare of community residents.

· Safeguard the island’s water supply.

· Develop a transportation system that meets the needs of island residents and visitors and fits the island’s rural character.

· Promote the conservation of land with agricultural and forestry potential.

· Preserve Cortes’ unique natural environment.

· Safeguard the marine environment.

· Respect all forms of life and protect biodiversity.

· Support self-sufficiency and food security.

· Adapt strategies to limit climate change.

· Support Cortes Island as a Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)-free area.

· Protect significant wilderness areas.