December North Cowichan council meetings included rezoning issues and new appointments.
The Dec. 6 meeting began with the appointment of new fire chiefs in Crofton and the South End. Matt Ludvigson was elected and appointed fire chief for the Crofton Fire Hall and Rob MacDowell was elected and appointed fire chief of the South End Fire Hall.
A public hearing for the rezoning of 3248 Sherman Rd. was next on the agenda. Council adopted the rezoning of the property, where 19 one- and two-storey townhouse units are proposed. This development aligns with the Official Community Plan and promotes growth within the municipality’s urban containment boundary.
Council approved three additional zoning amendment bylaws on Paddle Road and Green Road. It also allows attached secondary suites on approximately 2,300 additional properties in the municipality.
The Dec. 20 meeting began with council approving recommendations from previously held Committee of the Whole meetings related to the budget for 2018. Council also voted in favour of adding a $3,000 grant, as part of the 2018 Grant-In-Aid program, that will go towards funding a proposed Extreme Weather Shelter for women.
As part of next year’s budget, council has agreed to include the installation of three pedestrian signals in 2018. The pedestrian signal installation program began in 2013 and is included in the capital works budget. The crossing signals to be installed in 2018 will be located at York Avenue in Crofton, Canada Avenue at Philip Street, and Sherman Road near the curling rink in Duncan. Prioritizing the locations includes factors such as pedestrian volumes, vehicle volumes, network priority, and proximity to schools.
Council gave first and second readings to zoning amendment bylaws, and public hearings for 3788 Winget Place, 6722 Lakes Rd., and Sayward Road (a vacant lot) will take place at the council meeting on January 17, 2018.