The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) recently approved
(at third reading) the Official Community Plan for Nanoose
Bay – including the identification of a large portion
of the community as a Sensitive Ecosystems Development Permit
Area (DPA). All SEI sites are identified on the OCP maps.
The Sensitive Ecosystems DPA means that land use and development “should
not necessarily encroach into natural environment features”.
The onus lies with the applicant to demonstrate that any
encroachment is unavoidable due to topography, hazards, etc.,
and to include appropriate restoration and mitigation measures.
The OCP requires that the application be accompanied by
a vegetation and bio-inventory prepared by a registered
professional biologist (or similarly qualified individual),
who assesses the environmental impact of the proposed development
and recommends any mitigative measures to protect habitat.
The OCP also notes that the location and boundaries of
SEI sites may be revised as site-specific information becomes
available.
|
The protection of environmentally sensitive
areas in Nanoose Bay will be supported by:
- Dedication and/or purchase as park land;
- Dedication to or purchase by a private land trust;
- Registration of a restrictive covenant; and/or
- The use of creative development proposals such as
clustering or density averaging.
Nanoose Bay hopes to establish an “environmentally
sensitive areas stewardship team” from government
and non-government organizations as well as local
residents, who will “ensure the maximization of resources
and knowledge in the protection of environmentally sensitive
areas.” Community education initiatives
will also be encouraged.
The RDN is currently preparing an application
information bylaw to support the OCP.
For further information, please contact the Regional District
of Nanaimo Planning Department at (250) 390-6510.
|
