Tag Archives: Anderson Zoning

SRD vs Anderson: Zoning Compliance Issue

On January 26th 2021, Currents reported on continuing friction between the SRD Board and our elected representative Noba Anderson. Readers may recall that SRD had filed a petition against Anderson and her land partners after a bylaw compliance complaint against their Cortes Island property. Legal documents pertaining to this case are now publicly available, and Currents is able to report in further detail.

Why should Cortes Islanders care about a private legal dispute? Because this litigation has implications and consequences for all Area B residents. If SRD succeeds in court, it could set a precedent instantly rendering many Cortes properties non-compliant which have previously been legal. SRD has re-interpreted the language of the zoning bylaw in a new way, outside the traditional understanding of the community and of SRD’s own planners.

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Strathcona Regional District gives Cortes Director a statement of expectation

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) board isn’t going to pursue allegations of inside influence and the disqualification of Cortes Island director Noba Anderson in court.

Nor did the SRD board opt for its Plan B — to discipline the director.

Instead, after in-camera consultation with legal counsel, the SRD board voted Feb. 10 to issue a public statement to Anderson on its expectations around a director’s conduct when communicating with SRD staff or board members.

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Director Anderson to be given notice of SRD Board’s expectations

The Strathcona Regional District is sending Cortes Island Regional Director Noba Anderson a letter advising of the SRD Board’s expectations regarding communications between Directors and Regional District staff.

Continue reading Director Anderson to be given notice of SRD Board’s expectations

No evidence Cortes Island director used her office to influence district staff, lawyer argues

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) board’s evidence doesn’t support allegations Cortes Island director Noba Anderson used her public office to influence district staff on a matter involving her private property, her lawyer argued at a recent board meeting.

Matthew Voell spoke on Anderson’s behalf at a public hearing held Jan. 27 so the SRD board can decide whether to continue to pursue the allegations in B.C. Supreme Court and potentially disqualify her from office.

Continue reading No evidence Cortes Island director used her office to influence district staff, lawyer argues

SRD Board undecided about legal action against Anderson

Cortes Island Director Noba Anderson violated an agreement that one of her land partners would communicate with staff regarding the subdivision of her property on Cortes Island, according to the Strathcona Regional District (SRD).

Anderson’s lawyer, Matthew Voell, pointed out that staff made a request, which Anderson acknowledged receipt of – that is not an agreement.  He produced a long stream of emails demonstrating that staff repeatedly initiated the direct contacts with Anderson. Voell maintained that Anderson ‘communicated with Regional District staff in her personal capacity and not in her role as a director,’ used her personal email address, and ‘almost always copied her land partner Ms. Lovena Harvey.’

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