This is the unedited audio from the September 8, 2025 Public Meeting about Cortes Island’s zoning bylaw chaired by Regional Director Mark Vonesch.
Continue reading Unedited audio from Sep 8, 2025, Zoning bylaw meeting in Mansons HallCortes Island will have a public meeting on its proposed Bylaw changes on Monday, Sept 8th, 5pm at Manson’s Hall.
“This is a chance for folks to weigh in on the proposed draft. We’re really looking at a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ decision on this zoning bylaw. There’s almost two years of community consultation and input, and this is what staff have produced and the best, happy medium for what folks are asking for,” explained Mark Vonesch, Regional Director for Cortes Island.
“The public hearing will be a chance for people to express their opinions and their thoughts. Those will get recorded and added to the public record. It’s important that folks show up whether you’re opposed to or in support of this new zoning bylaw. People who show up make the decisions, and this is an opportunity to have your voice heard. If you can’t make the meeting, you can email planning@srd.ca and that will also be included in the public record.”
Continue reading Consideration for Monday’s Bylaw Update Meeting at Mansons Hall
On August 4, 2025, host Manda Aufochs-Gillespie was joined by Sadhu Johnston, who gave an update on the developments happening at Rainbow Ridge, on behalf of the Cortes Housing Society. Tune in for a discussion about community housing, the island’s housing crisis, and construction challenges and joys!
Continue reading Folk U- An August 4 update from Rainbow RIdge
One of the 2025 RIEP Virtual Forum presentations was a panel discussion of how the affordable housing societies were faring on six rural islands. There were a lot of common themes running throughout their stories: difficulties obtaining funding through BC Housing, CMHC and other organizations whose requirements are drawn up for urban rather than rural areas; the cost of building on remote islands; relationships with regional districts and Islands Trust; and water issues. The moderator was Mike Hoebel from the Galiano Affordable Living Initiative Society (GALI).
Mike Hoebel: “The lack of affordable housing is truly a crisis in our communities and housing policy was a major item for discussion back at the RIEP 2023 In-Person Forum Gabriola. Today we’re going to hear from a number of people about housing related initiatives underway in their communities.”
Continue reading RIEP Presentation: Affordable Housing Across The IslandsA quick question just came up in regard to Cortes Island’s ongoing Zoning Bylaw Review. Cortes Island residents have up until noon on Friday, March 7, to make their thoughts known on possible limits to house sizes known.
“Do we want to put a limit on the maximum house size on Cortes? It’s a basic yes or no question.” asked Regional Director Mark Vonesch.
“If you do agree, what is the maximum size you would like to see happen? Everything from 2,500 square feet to 4,300 square feet. I’ve certainly heard from a lot of people that this is something that’s important to consider. Basically do we want to have folks buy land here and build mega mansions? Do we want to have Cortes be a place where the ultra wealthy can buy a piece of land and build a summer mansion?”
Continue reading Should there be a Maximum Size for Houses on Cortes Island?
