From the desk of Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney
Hello,This report updates on Trespass Act provisions which may affect you, an upcoming online public hearing for a Zoning Bylaw amendment application in Bute Inlet, and a mention of Strathcona Gardens.
Private property signage
Many islanders have wooded land which may or may not have fencing or signage to indicate that it is private property — this information may be of interest to you. Recently an island property owner brought to my attention concerns regarding hunting on private property and highlighted some learning that others may benefit from. The information I’m sharing here I learned through conversation with Conservation Officers.
When Conservation Officers (& RCMP) are asked to investigate trespassing issues regarding hunting on undeveloped private land they are guided by the Trespass Act. Wooded or undeveloped private property needs to meet the threshold of the Trespass Act for enforcement. If land isn’t enclosed by a fence, it must have clearly visible & legible signs which prohibit trespass posted in each area where a person may ordinarily access the land. This signage needs to be visible in areas which share a lot line with Crown/public land, through which someone may be travelling.
In addition to the Trespass Act is the Wildlife Act, which states there is no open hunting season for any species of wildlife within 100m of a home, farm building occupied by people or domestic animals, church, school building, school yard, playground or regional district park. These restrictions are important to community safety, we know Quadra Island has many residential nodes which back onto forest, woodlot & tree farm license.
You can read the entire Trespass Act online; please direct other hunting-related questions to the Conservation Officer Service by email: conservation.officer.service@gov.bc.ca.
Public Hearing for Bute Inlet amendment application
Bylaw 586 proposes to amend the Quadra Island Zoning Bylaw for an application in Bear Bay, Bute Inlet (the Quadra Island Zoning Bylaw includes all the islands & inlets in Area C other than those included in the Desolation Sound Rural Land Use Bylaw).
Bylaw 586 proposes to rezone two adjoining parcels of land totalling 56 acres and an associated foreshore Crown tenure from Rural Three (RU-3) and Access Two (AC2) to Commercial Two D (C-2D) and Marine Commercial One (MC-1). This would legalize the existing use and buildings associated with the resort (operating for 25+ years), allow for additional lodging, & permit helicopter fuel sales.
Due to the remote location of the application, staff proposed an online Public Hearing as the best option to accommodate adjacent property owners and those in the Outer Discovery Islands and Mainland Inlets area who may be most impacted by the amendment. The online Public Hearing is scheduled for Wednesday February 5 at 7pm.
Please visit srd.ca/government/land-use-bylaw-meetings/ for complete information on the application and login info for the Public Hearing.
Strathcona Gardens
Our community is engaged on this topic! Many folks are concerned with the potential for Area C ratepayers to be taxed for Strathcona Gardens: I’m receiving calls & letters sharing a range of concerns and have also heard of activities afoot. The Board has yet to receive the ‘additional recreation participation report’ and no further steps have been taken by the Board. I’ll continue to report on this process as it unfolds.
Connect
Thank you for welcoming me into your inbox! You’re welcome to connect with me with questions or concerns: you can email RMawhinney@srd.ca, 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