North Cowichan council heard from three delegations at its May 2 meeting.
Dr. Stephen Faulkner addressed council regarding concerns about microwave radiation; Cari Burdett expressed support for an amendment to remove properties off Gibbins Road from the urban containment boundary; and Toby Seward requested council allow the rezoning application for the Trans-Canada Highway/Ashcroft Road to proceed to public hearing.
Council gave first and second reading to bylaws to amend the Official Community Plan and the Zoning Bylaw to remove a number of properties off Gibbins Road from the urban containment boundary and rezone them to Rural (A2) from Residential Rural (R1), Residential One and Two Family (R3) and Residential Townhouse (R6). The next step in the process will be a public hearing.
Council adopted its Financial Plan for 2018-2022 that confirms the budget, including revenues and expenditures, for a five-year period.
Council directed staff to draft a bylaw to increase cemetery fees by three per cent for 2018.
An application to rezone 52.4 acres at the end of Ashcroft Road adjacent to the Trans-Canada Highway was rejected, as the application is inconsistent with the policies in the Official Community Plan, specifically that urban growth be restricted to the urban containment boundary.
Council reviewed a staff report about seasonal off-leash dog areas and asked staff to seek public input on whether to increase opportunities.
Council received a report on the 2017 Audited Financial Statements. Now that the financial statements have been prepared and audited, they will be submitted to the Province.
Councillor Tom Walker has been appointed acting mayor until the next council is sworn in later this year.
The next regular council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 16 at 1:30 p.m.