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 [email protected] and that will also be included in the public record.”
Continue reading Consideration for Monday’s Bylaw Update Meeting at Mansons Hall
More than 400 Cortes Island residents responded to the recent survey about limiting the size of new houses. They were given a number of possible limitations, ranging from 2,500 to 4,300 square feet. While the vote was close, 52% of the respondents said ‘no’ and so there will be no size limits in Cortes Island’s draft Zoning Bylaw.
Regional Director Mark Vonesch explained, “ I just want to start by thanking everybody for participating in the survey. We had 415 people respond and it was very divided. For that reason, I’m not moving forward with the maximum house size. There’s clearly no consensus and that’s okay. The reason we do these surveys is to be able to talk about an issue and express ourselves around what we want our island to look like. So I really appreciate everybody who filled it out and lots of passion on both sides of the issue.”
Continue reading There will be no Maximum house size on Cortes Island
Mascon by TELUS informed at least 10 Cortes Island residents that their internet service will be terminated on June 2, 2025.
A dozen people were chatting about it on the Cortes Island Is Home Facebook page, where one typed a message to Regional Director Mark Vonesch, “The SRD was part of the whole CityWest to insure all communities were connected? Most of us do not have access to CityWest yet and now we are losing access to our only other option.”
Nancy Kendel posted a comment on the Tideline, “A LOT OF GOVERNMENT MONEY was given to the Connected Coast Partnership of CityWest and the Strathcona Regional District, but THE JOB IS NOT FINISHED! When will Cortes Island be connected?”
She also emailed Cortes Currents, which is what led to this story.
Continue reading Mascon By Telus Cuts Off Some Cortes Customers, CityWest UpdateAt their Tuesday, March 11, meeting the Electoral Areas Services Committee (EASC) discussed further funding possibilities for the Rainbow Ridge affordable Housing Project and the new multi-use sports court.
Staff was instructed to prepare a report about the possibility of using utilizing $200,000 from Cortes Island’s Community Works (Gas Tax) funds to support the installation of the septic system and waterworks facility. This is approximately a third of the project’s estimated cost.
Continue reading SRD Staff Looking Into Funding Possibilities For Two Cortes Building Projects
