qathet Regional District’s (qRD) board of directors gave third reading and final adoption to Texada Island’s official community plan (OCP) bylaw.
At the August 26 regional board meeting, Electoral Area D director Sandy McCormick said she wanted to thank some very special people whose work and huge efforts came together to bring the OCP draft to the board’s attention.
She said the planning advisory committee members, including Chuck Childress, Sue Clark, Teresa Hollo, Allan MacIsaac, Jim Mason, Roxanna Rasmussen, Casey Richards, Tara Schumacher, Joseph Scott, Denise Smith from Tla’amin Nation, Bob Timms and Brian Walker all deserved thanks.
“This group met 27 times and heard from 21 presenters regarding different items,” said McCormick. “We also heard from 280 respondents to community surveys, stakeholder and student surveys, and 85 people who attended the community open houses and workshops.”
McCormick said she also wanted to say a huge Texada Island thank you to qRD manager of planning services Laura Roddan and planner Julia Dykstra, “whose efforts have been amazing.”
“They went with the flow,” said McCormick. “When the Texada Island advisory committee wanted to take little twists and turns in the review process, it took about an extra year of time. They went along with that and they led the discussion admirably. Julia and Laura, thank you very much for your efforts on behalf of the Texada community.”
Before voting on final adoption, McCormick asked staff that if the bylaw was approved, that the bylaw is official, and it doesn’t have to go to anyone else for approval.
Roddan said she could confirm that if the bylaw was adopted by the regional board that it would take effect immediately.
On the cover page of the Texada Island official community plan, it states that Texada Island’s vision is to sustain an independent rural lifestyle with minimal regulations.
“We envision our island economy fostering a diverse and balanced mix of resource industries, tourism, small business enterprises, agriculture and services for seniors,” the OCP stated. “Texada Island will adapt to change carefully, while always preserving our freedoms, stewarding the natural beauty of our island, our coast and our island lifestyle.”
The introduction to the OCP stated that it provides a framework to guide growth and development on Texada Island towards the community’s vision for the future.
The OCP offers policy direction on land use, housing, infrastructure and servicing, parks and recreation, environmental protection, and economic development, according to the introduction. The OCP also offers direction on how to implement the policies it contains by setting out steps the regional district can take to implement the OCP and support the community’s vision for the future.
