Municipality of North Cowichan
Council - Regular and Public Hearings
AGENDA

Wednesday, September 21, 2022 at 1:30 P.m. - 8:30 P.m.

Electronically

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

This meeting will be conducted by video conference using the Cisco Webex platform. This meeting, though electronic, is open to the public and will be streamed live and archived for viewing on demand at www.northcowichan.ca.

Anyone wishing to participate in the meeting, during the 'Public Input' and 'Question Period' portions of the agenda, may do so by attending Municipal Hall [7030 Trans-Canada Highway] in person, or by joining the meeting electronically using: 

• a computer, smartphone, or tablet. Please visit northcowichan.ca/virtualmeeting for instructions on how you can connect to this meeting.
• a telephone, dial 1.844.426.4405, enter 1# for English, enter the meeting ID 2452 763 7546, and then enter the meeting password 1111

2.

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA

Purpose: To adopt all recommendations appearing on the Consent Agenda in one motion, without discussion or debate. Included are items that are regular, non-controversial, or routine in nature. Any item may be moved out at the request of any Council member for discussion or debate, before the agenda is approved. Items removed from the Consent Agenda will be placed under New Business. 

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council approve the Consent Agenda and the recommendations contained therein.

2.1

Items for decision

All recommendations provided under each of the items listed below will be adopted once the Consent Agenda is approved, unless removed and placed under New Business. 

2.1.1

Council Meeting Minutes for Adoption

Purpose: To consider if there were any errors or omissions prior to adopting the minutes of previous meetings of Council.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council adopt the minutes of their regular meeting held September 7, 2022.

2.2

Items for information

There are no items for information on this agenda.

3.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Purpose: To consider any items of business not included in the Agenda, that are of an urgent nature, must be introduced and approved at the time the agenda is adopted. Matters must be taken up in the order that they are listed unless changed at this time.

• Recommendation:

  THAT the agenda be adopted as circulated [or as amended].

4.

MAYOR'S REPORT

5.

DELEGATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

6.

PUBLIC INPUT

Public Input is an opportunity for the public to provide their feedback on matters included on the agenda. The maximum number of speakers to be heard during the public input period is limited to five, with a maximum of three minutes allotted to each speaker.

• If you attend in-person and wish to address Council you must register at least 10 minutes prior to the Council meeting by signing the sheet posted outside the Council Chambers.
• If you attend virtually and wish to address Council, please click on the ‘raise your hand’ button, if participating by computer, smartphone, or tablet, or dial *3 if participating by phone.

7.

BYLAWS

7.1

2022-2026 Financial Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 3879

Purpose: To consider adoption of 2022-2026 Financial Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 3879 which received first three readings September 7, 2022.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council adopt "Five-Year Financial Plan Amendment Bylaw, No. 3879, 2022".

7.2

Permissive Tax Exemption Amendment Bylaw No. 3877, 2022

Purpose:  To introduce an amendment to the Permissive Tax Exemption Bylaw, which proposes to exempt from taxation units at 9806 Willow Street leased by Cowichan Neighbourhood House Association.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council give first, second and third readings to Permissive Tax Exemption Amendment Bylaw No. 3877, 2022.

7.3

Amendments to the Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw and the Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw for first three readings

Purpose: To update the offence descriptions for failing to remove a political sign within seven days after general voting pursuant to the amendment to section 8 of Sign Bylaw No. 3479 adopted in 2022.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council give first second and third readings to:

  1. Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw No. 3881, 2022; and,
  2. Municipal Ticket Information System Amendment Bylaw No. 3882, 2022.

8.

REPORTS

8.1

Safer Community Plan Review and Next Steps

Further review of the Safer Community Plan initiative.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council:

  1. Terminate the existing lease for the Community Safety Office located at 490 Trans-Canada Highway; and,
  2. Direct staff to look for a different location for the Community Safety Office within North Cowichan’s boundaries that will allow for continued safety patrols within the corridor and the areas around the Cowichan Commons and the Friendship Trail.

8.2

Climate Adaptation Assessment Grant Application Approval

Purpose:  To obtain support for a grant application to the Disaster Risk Reduction – Climate Adaptation Program (DRR-CA) administered by the Union of BC Municipalities.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council support the submission of a grant application to the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund for up to $150,000 under the Disaster Risk Reduction – Climate Adaptation funding stream for the development of a Climate Change Risk and Vulnerability Assessment for the Municipality of North Cowichan and support overall grant management of the project.

8.3

Septic Tank Management to Support the Health of Water Bodies

Purpose: To provide an assessment of the environmental effects of septic tanks in North Cowichan and an analysis of the potential effect of septic tank pumping on surface water quality in North Cowichan. A staff presentation will be provided at the meeting.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council direct staff to work with Island Health to make available on the municipal website educational resources for residents about septic systems, including; material on septic tank maintenance and repairs; a virtual workshop on caring for septic systems; and, information on the benefits of regular septic tank pumping.

8.4

Mitigating blue-green algae blooms in Quamichan Lake

Purpose: To determine which steps the Municipality of North Cowichan should take to mitigate the blue-green algae in Quamichan Lake. A staff presentation will be provided.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council direct staff to:

  1. Engage a consultant to assess the costs and benefits of aeration in Quamichan Lake to manage phosphorus dynamics and mitigate blue-green algae blooms; and,
  2. Prepare a report for Council, which includes a recommendation on the most beneficial management option for mitigating blue-green algae blooms in Quamichan Lake.

9.

NOTICES OF MOTIONS

10.

UNFINISHED AND POSTPONED BUSINESS

10.1

Regular Pumping Out of Septic Tanks to Support the Health of Water Bodies

Purpose: So that Councillor Justice may move the motion he gave notice on at the July 21, 2021 regular Council meeting, and which on August 18, 2021, Council postponed consideration of until staff prepared a letter to Island Health for the Mayor’s signature, outlining the concerns as identified in Councillor Justice’s report and motion and report back to Council with their response once it’s received.

(Note: see recommended option under Report Item 8.3)

• Recommendation:

  WHEREAS Council has prioritized the importance of environmental policies and practices to support the future health of North Cowichan;

  AND WHEREAS the regular pumping out of septic tanks may be an effective method for preventing nutrients and bacteria from entering nearby water systems;

  AND WHEREAS the cost of regular pumping out of septic tanks and effluent disposal may be cost prohibitive for some residents;

  THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council direct staff to prepare an analysis of options to reduce the environmental and other impacts caused by private septic tanks or ineffective septic fields.

11.

NEW BUSINESS

12.

QUESTION PERIOD

Question Period is an opportunity for the public to ask brief questions regarding the business discussed during the meeting.

For in person attendees, please proceed to the podium and wait for the Mayor (Chair) to acknowledge you before you speak.

For virtual attendees, please click on the ‘raise your hand’ button, if participating by computer, smartphone, or tablet, or dial *3 if participating by phone.

13.

ADJOURN COUNCIL MEETING TO RECONVENE AT 6:00 P.M.

Purpose: To recess the Council meeting until the start time of the public hearing/meeting.

• Recommendation:

  THAT the meeting be adjourned at ______ p.m. to reconvene at 6:00 p.m. this evening.

14.

PUBLIC HEARINGS 6:00 P.M.

Mayor Siebring to provide an explanation of the public hearing process and to advise members of the public that no further verbal or written presentations can be received by any member of Council following the closure of the public hearings. Written submissions received between 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 16, 2022 and the holding of the public hearing will be provided to Council when they are received and are available for review by the public on the municipal website. Following the close of the public hearings, Council may give the bylaws further consideration.

The order of each Public Hearing, following the Call to Order and explanation of the Public Hearing process, shall be as follows:

• Acceptance of petitions and late correspondence
• Introduction of the proposal
• Summary of correspondence received and published in the Digital Information Package available on the Public Hearings webpage
• Presentation by proponent
• Comments from the public

(Note: The Public Hearings webpage where the Digital Information Packages are published is www.northcowichan.ca/PublicHearings, which is updated as submissions are received. Members of Council and the public are encouraged to check the webpage frequently to view all public input.)

14.1

Public Hearing Zoning Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 3868 (3005, 3011 Drinkwater Road & 6455 Ford Road from R1 to CD23), 2022

Purpose:  The purpose of the Public Hearing is to allow the applicant and the public to make representations to Council respecting matters contained in Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 3868 which proposes to amend Zoning Bylaw No. 2950, 1997 to permit high-density residential use at 3005, 3011 Drinkwater Road and 6455 Ford Road.

14.2

Public Hearing Zoning Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 3878 (3288 Cowichan Lake Rd - Cannabis Retail), 2022

Purpose: The purpose of the Public Hearing is to allow the applicant and the public to make representations to Council respecting matters contained in Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 3878 which proposes a site specific zoning amendment to permit retail cannabis sales at the Berkey’s Corner Shopping Centre.

14.3

Public Hearing Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 3685 (3181, 3183 Gibbins Road; R3 to R3-MF), 2018

Purpose: The purpose of the Public Hearing is to allow the applicant and the public to make representations to Council respecting matters contained in Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 3685 which proposes a bylaw amendment to the Residential One and Two Family Zone (R3) to permit a four-plex at 3181 and 3183 Gibbins Road.

15.

RESUME COUNCIL MEETING TO CONSIDER THE BYLAWS

15.1

Zoning Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 3868 (3005, 3011 Drinkwater Road & 6455 Ford Road from R1 to CD23), 2022

Purpose: To consider third reading of Zoning Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 3868 (3005, 3011 Drinkwater Road & 6455 Ford Road from R1 to CD23), 2022 following the public hearing.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council gives third reading to "Zoning Bylaw Amendment Bylaw (3005, 3011 Drinkwater Road & 6455 Ford Road from R1 to CD23), 2022, No. 3868".

15.2

Zoning Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 3878 (3288 Cowichan Lake Road) - Cannabis Sales

Purpose: To consider third reading and adoption of Zoning Amendment Bylaw (Cannabis Sales – 3288 Cowichan Lake Road), No. 3878,” 2022 to permit cannabis retail sales.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council:

  1. Gives third reading to “Zoning Amendment Bylaw (Cannabis Sales – 3288 Cowichan Lake Road), 2022, No. 3878”.
  2. Adopt “Zoning Amendment Bylaw (Cannabis Sales – 3288 Cowichan Lake Road), 2022, No. 3878”.

15.3

Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 3685 (3181, 3183 Gibbins Road; R3 to R3-MF), 2018

Purpose: To consider third reading and adoption of Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 3685 (3181, 3183 Gibbins Road; R3 to R3-MF), 2018 to permit a four-plex.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council:

  1. Gives third reading to "Zoning Amendment Bylaw (3181, 3183 Gibbins Road; R3 to R3-MF), 2018, No. 3685".
  2. Adopt "Zoning Amendment Bylaw (3181, 3183 Gibbins Road; R3 to R3-MF), 2018, No. 3685".

16.

CLOSED SESSION

17.

RISE AND REPORT

18.

ADJOURNMENT