From the desk of Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney
Hello,
Sun and showers for a cascade of May flowers! This Director’s Report is rather brief, an update which shares news from the April 23 Board meeting.
Village Bay Lake payphone research continues
The loss of the Village Bay Lake payphone is significant for the Village Bay Lake Family Water Society, which represents 75+ recreational property owners who are ‘very concerned about the lack of telephone access in the event of an emergency.’
In October the Board supported allocating staff time to report on options for reliable telephone service to the Village Bay Lakes area. The resulting report, received at the April 23 Board meeting, states that “through conversations with Telus it appears the decision to discontinue the payphone service at Village Bay Lakes was undertaken as part of a larger corporate program of service reductions based on economics… and it is unlikely that Telus would be interested in reinstatement of the service without a change in the economic circumstances”.
After some discussion, the Board supported staff to continue researching, to determine the costs of reinstating or maintaining a phone service at Village Bay Lake.
Regional Service reports
I don’t always write about reports which have been requested by the Board: it is often months before they are brought back, and the learning is what’s included within. However, it may interest residents of Area C that April 23 there were motions for three reports supported by a majority of the Board: a report regarding a Regional Tourism Service; another regarding a Regional Arts and Culture Service; and a third regarding municipalities participation in land use and regional planning.
I’ll be sure to provide updates on these as the reports are written and returned to the Board. Visit srd.ca/government/agendas-minutes/ to access minutes of previous Board & Committee meetings — these documents include direct links to the staff reports.
Upcoming Virtual Public Hearing
The SRD has received an application for a site-specific rezoning which would, if adopted, permit rural liquor sales and/or a microbrewery accessory to the principal use at Fisherman’s Landing Lodge in Cordero Channel. A virtual Public Hearing is scheduled for May 7 at 7pm. The Hearing is being held virtually to make it more accessible for those who live near the remote location to weigh in. Find information and a link to login at this address: srd.ca/government/land-use-bylaw-meetings/.
Connect
Thank you for reading, and inviting me into your inbox. You’re welcome to connect with me with questions or concerns: email [email protected], or call 250.203.2468. If you’d like to chat in person, you can book an in-person meeting at calendly.com/robynmawhinney.
Until next time,
Respectfully,
Director Robyn Mawhinney
Photo credits: spring growth in Deepwater Bay; eagle watching from driftwood; spring skunk cabbage at the shore – photos by Robyn Mawhinney