Looking at an SEI map of the District of Highlands is a
very colourful experience - about 60% of the municipality
is in SEI sites. At first glance, this looks like a real
planning challenge.
But the District has embraced the SEI data, and is one of
the first municipalities to include it in their Official
Community Plan (OCP), adopted in July1997. The OCP includes
a map based on the SEI sites showing older forest, herbaceous
vegetation and mixed woodland, and states that Sensitive
Vegetation Areas will be "protected from the impacts
of development or other human activity by the following policies:
The preservation of native plant communities and intact stands
of trees is encouraged. Sensitive vegetation areas will be
designated as Development Permit Areas."
Older second growth areas (covering 43% of Highlands)
are used for broad land use, rezoning and greenways planning
rather than for development permit designation.
"The SEI provides a valuable layer of information,"says
planner Kevin Key. "Previously, we just had information
on slopes, watercourses and wetlands -now we have information
on vegetative cover as well.It also provides us with direction
for focussing resources to protect priority sites on private
land."
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Key stresses that the SEI data is just a flagging tool.
Where a development application includes an SEI site, the
District may require the applicant to provide (and pay for)
a report from an independent certified professional that
will assist in determining any conditions or requirements
that may be imposed as part of the permit. This field check
will also identify the boundaries of the site, and check
the condition of the ecosystem - in some cases, the site
may have changed significantly since it was originally identified.
One-third of Highlands is already protected in provincial
and regional parks, and the District has successfully used
conservation covenants to protect 104 ha of private land,
including smaller ecosystems not part of the SEI. For Kevin
Key, a flexible approach is essential - protecting ecosystem
values may involve park dedication, density transfer and
clustering, conservation covenants or siting buildings and
roads away from sensitive areas.
The SEI data is still a relatively new planning tool,
but with Council and community support, it will be another
mechanism to maintain the natural character of theHighlands.
For more information please contact Kevin Key, District
of Highlands, phone(250) 474-1773, http://www.highlands.bc.ca/ |
