North Cowichan council received the quarterly North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP report for the period July, August, and September during its Nov. 21 council meeting.
The RCMP received 6,236 calls for service during that period, which equates to a 9.6 per cent increase in calls compared to last year. Nearly half of the calls were in North Cowichan.
“Council was pleased to hear that recently, a number of our officers were recognized for their outstanding service in the Cowichan Valley,” added Mayor Al Siebring. “A big message from the RCMP is that reports of crime on social media are not acted upon. To make a complaint about crime, residents have to call in.”
Council gave first reading to an application to rezone 9833 Willow St. in Chemainus from Residential One and Two Family (R3) zone to Urban Medium Density Comprehensive Development (CD10) zone to facilitate a seven-unit multi-family building. Former mayor Jon Lefebure is behind the project.
He was directed to conduct a neighbourhood information meeting and notify the local Residents’ Association to seek input on the zoning application. That will take place Saturday, Dec. 1 from 1-3 p.m. at the site.
Council heard from the executive director of the Cowichan Women Against Violence Society regarding an application for a temporary use permit for a women’s winter shelter proposed for Cowichan Valley School District property at 2003 University Way. A motion passed directing staff to arrange a public meeting regarding the application, and to provide a grant of $2,000 to CWAV for the permit application fee. The public meeting and council’s decision on the application will take place on Dec. 5.
Council made a change to the Cowichan Valley Regional District board appointments. Councillor Debra Toporowski was appointed and alternates will now be Councillors Christopher Justice, Tek Manhas and Rosalie Sawrie.
Council asked staff to seek public input on proposed changes to the Firearms Regulation Bylaw, specifically on removing Mount Tzouhalem and Stoney Hill Forest Reserve from the firearm discharge area and aligning with provincial regulations on Mount Prevost and in Cowichan Bay.