South Wellington

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South Wellington the Future of Rural Community
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What is Rural?

• Here is what we heard from you
• quiet atmosphere tightly knit
• scenery elder youth involvement
• wildlife tranquility
• sense of community
• community history

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Perhaps these definitions sum up your feelings

• The rural lands designation is characterized by
  larger lots (greater than 2 hectares) low
  population density. Traditional rural activities
  such as intensive agriculture operations and
  hobby farms, mixed with the large lot residential
  subdivisions, dominate the landscape. -
  electoral A OCP
• The most common way of defining rural is
  negative - that which is not urban. Because rural
  is a residual category made up of all territory
  not classified as urban, the definition
  encompasses a vast array of geographical,
  environmental, economic, and social diversity
  (Troughton, 1999). Canadian Government

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Official Community Plan Rural
South Wellington Transect
School Fire Hall Store
Rural Residential
Rural Resource
Industrial
Rural Lands
Gravel Lumber Agriculture Golf course
Light Heavy
Residential Agriculture Morden Mine Site
Historic Density Home Based Business Agriculture
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South Wellingtons rural residential, rural
resources and rural lands
Rural Residential
Rural Resource
Rural Lands
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The Strengths of South Wellington
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Housing stock of South Wellington
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Population of South Wellington
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Factors challenging the rural lifestyle

• Physical
• Encroaching
• Development
• Traffic
• Infrastructure
• Cultural
• Housing
• Population
• Keeping the young in the community and being
  involved

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South Wellington

• Environment and Water

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Environment and Sustainability
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Sustainable Development Potential Assets

• High density, small lot mining development
• -A good model to follow
• Location of industry and commerce along the
• Trans-Canada Highway the best of all evils
• -concentrates less appealing development to one
  area
• Green space and environmentally sensitive areas
• -could have high value in preserving rural
  atmosphere
• and maintaining biodiversity of the area

13
Sustainable Development Potential Issues and
Problems

• Physical separation of residential created by the
  Trans-Canada
• Highway and industry/commercial development
• -takes away the connectedness of the community
• -increases automobile use
• -safety concerns when crossing highway on foot
• Lack of a central residential node to concentrate
  development
• -not having a central node prevents small
  business from
• establishing in the area
• - increasing need for automobile usage for
  simple items
• such as grocery, school supplies, etc.
• Only one corner store, located beside highway
  also a gas station
• -does not encourage walking and bicycling to
  shop, especially for
• those living outside current residential
  development

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Location Vulnerability of Aquifers
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Services

• It is unlikely the area will get municipal water
  and sewer without significant investment in
  development.
• This is due to cost of approx. 1 million per
  kilometre of running services

16
Septic Fields

• Density of Septic fields linked to incidence of
  certain viral and bacterial infections
• Simple guidelines can prevent this
• Policies regulating density and maintenance can
  be tools to regulate growth

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Wells

• Can be susceptible to, and can also be the point
  source of a contamination
• City of Chilliwack has recommendations regarding
  construction and maintenance of wells and septic
  fields
• Again, policies regulating the construction and
  placement of wells can be a tool to control
  development.

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Future of South Wellington

• Growing an Economic Vision

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Promote Community

• By
• Community Farms/parks
• Create Festival Sites
• Retain Rural Feeling

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Community Farms

• 1 Farm, many owners, Neighborhood support
• Less Risk, Less Cost
• Promotes togetherness
• Provides Education
• Promotes Younger Farmers
• Offers Low Income Assistance

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Typical Community Farm
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Land Trusts and Conservation of Land for
Community Use
Keating Farm, Duncan, BC
Providence Farm, Duncan BC
Merv Wilkinsons WildWood, Yellow Point, BC
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Festival Sites

• Both Small and Large

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Ways to strengthen your rural community

• Encourage home/farm based business
• Provide a new service
• Improve the communitys reputation
• Exploit community resources
• Keep youth in the community

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Heritage Node

• Sponsor Heritage Programs
• Create Signage and Awareness
• Promote Morden Mine Site
• Build on existing heritage to construct the
  future village

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Possible Alternative Scenarios

• Designate a central node for the area
• concentrate development around this node,
  creating a compact community which
• -might draw more small home-based business,
  possibly in
• multi-use building fashion, mixed zoning
• -could encourage a small, true general store in
  the core, providing
• an option for people who would otherwise drive
  elsewhere
• -would be a good area to establish a farmers
  market, showcasing
• locally grown products
• -provides an area for essential community
  establishments to exist,
• reducing need to commute into Nanaimo

Cobble Hill Post Office. Source
www.ourbc.com/.../cobble_hill.htm
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Possible Alternative Scenarios Continued

• Increase and improve infrastructure to
• encourage alternative transport methods
• reduce environmental impact of current
  auto-oriented setup
• Create a pedestrian bridge at Morden Rd. and
  Trans-Canada Highway intersection
• could help establish a better connection
• between the two main residential areas
• Upgrade sidewalks, wider and possibly raised, for
  safety of pedestrians
• and convenience
• Create bike lanes throughout community

Cycling Streets in Kelowna, B.C. Source
kelownabikes.wordpress.com/
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Possible Alternative Scenarios Continued

• Crack-down on industrial and commercial pollution
  along Trans-Canada
• Highway
• altering current zoning to something more
  suitable,
• grandfather the current occupations
• Preserve environmentally sensitive areas of South
  Wellington
• preserved as covenants, parks, walking trails
• enhancing the rural atmosphere protecting
  important environmental
• aspects of the community

Pedestrian Overpass in Omaha, Nebraska Source
omahamidcenturymodern.blogsome.com/2006/10/
Cortez Island Forested Walking Trail Source
www.cortesisland.com/renewal/parks.html
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Conclusions

• South Wellington has a Dynamic future
• With increased income generators
• By promoting Community
• By promoting Tourism and recreation
• While protecting environment and water
• By encouraging land conservation
• Through containment of industry

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Resources

• Smart Growth BC - http//smartgrowth.bc.ca/ -
  Detailed site that
• outlines numerous techniques to create smart
  growth
• developments. Smart Growth BC is a non-profit
• organization that provides consultation with
  communities
• in implementing smart growth.
• Smart Growth Canada Network - http//www.smartgrow
  th.ca/ - Provides much
• information on smart growth research and issues
  related to smart growth, on
• a national scale.
• Renewal Land Company - http//www.cortesisland.com
  /renewal/parks.html -
• Example of park development and land conservancy
  issues, focusing on Cortes
• Island.
• Information from BC Stats
• http//www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/data/cen06/profiles/d
  etailed/21010195.pdf

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Official Community Plan
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Area A OCP 2001

• Comments From OCP Review
• Strong support to limiting and Reducing
  Industrial Lands
• Preserving Farmland and Rural Integrity
• Beck Lake Protection
• Lots of support and non-support for watercourse
  protection(minimum comments for protection of
  Cassidy Aquifer)
• Strong objections to Airport Expansion

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Area A 2001 OCP

• South Wellington Industrial Lands
• Support for proposed changes by residents
  adjacent to industrial lands to change land use
  from rural residential to light industrial.
• Industrial Lands expanded along Fielding Road due
  to lack of objection by adjacent properties. RDN
  expanded to create contiguous form.
• Some properties not allowed to change land use to
  industrial due to not being contiguous and
  outside the building inspection area.
• OCP Policy 4
• Expansions to this designation shall not be
  considered.
• South Wellington Light Industrial Comprehensive
  Development
• Strict Landscaping Regulations for Recreational
  Vehicle and Storage businesses only.

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Area A 2001 OCP

• Airport Lands
• Nanaimo Regional Airport Portions of the
  Airport Lands have relatively high agricultural
  capability. Uses of these capability lands that
  do not compromise their long term productivity
  should be encouraged. The higher agricultural
  capability of lands should be identified for
  future consideration. Note that the Victoria
  Airport leases portions of its land base out for
  agricultural use.
• Wayne Haddow, PAg
• Regional Agrologist

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Area G OCP Review Process

• May 2006 Newsletter 1
• OCP Background info, List of public meeting times
• 5 public meetings held in June. Some of the
  topics included Environmental Protection,
  Improving Mobility, Enhancing and Maintaining
  Parkland, Containing Urban Sprawl, Protecting
  Rural Integrity, and Improving Servicing
  Efficiency
• August 2007 Newsletter 2
• Results from the Public Meetings
• Workshop Times Announced. Topics created from
  input during public meetings.
• Workshop Topics Parks, Recreation and Community
  Amenities, Environmental Protection, Land Use in
  Urban Areas, Water and Sewer Servicing, Land Use
  in Rural Areas and Transportation and Mobility
• January 2007 Newsletter 3
• Results from the Workshops
• Analyze results and create a draft OCP
• September 2007 Newsletter 4
• Highlights of proposed Changes to the OCP
• OCP amendments based on comments and suggestions
  by stakeholder groups

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Area G OCP Review Process

• Typical Public Meeting Questionnaire
• Environmental Protection
• Do you agree with the proposed environmental
  protection policies in the Draft Official
  Community Plan?
• a) If you do, what do you like about the
  environmental protection policies and how could
  they be improved?
• b) If you dont agree, what environmental
  protection policy(s)do you disagree with, why do
  you disagree with them, and how would you improve
  them.
• 2. Do you have any suggestions on how the
  Regional District of Nanaimo could improve
  environmental protection within Electoral Area
  'G'.

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Area G- Land Use in Rural Areas

• Workshop Summary
• What uses are compatible with preserving rural
  character?
• General Outcomes
• In general, the workshop participants
  desire to protect the ground water resources and
  maintain and support agricultural and forestry
  operations in Electoral Area 'G'.
• OCP Revision changes as a result of workshop
  outcomes
• 5.1 Rural and Rural Residential Land Use
  Designations
• OBJECTIVES
• 3. Encourage farm activities on productive
  agricultural lands and on any lands capable of
  supporting viable agricultural activities.

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Area G- Land Use in Rural Areas

• Workshop Summary
• What are possible ways of maintaining the
  Electoral Area's rural character?
• General Outcomes
• The workshop participants identified a wide
  array of options for maintaining the rural
  character of Electoral Area 'G'. Common themes
  included supporting agriculture and large parcel
  sizes as well as controlling density and limiting
  development based on the availability of water.
• OCP Revision changes as a result of workshop
  outcomes
• 5.1 Rural and Rural Residential Land Use
  Designations
• OBJECTIVES
• 4 . Provide for continued rural residential
  opportunities without contributing to further
  rural sprawl

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Land Use in Rural Areas

• Rural Resource Land Objectives Area A
• 1. Preserve and enhance the distinctive rural
  character of the Rural
• Lands.
• 2. Protect continued uses of parcels as rural
  lands.
• Rural Resource Land Objectives Area G
• 1. Maintain the renewable natural resource
  land base and protect it
• from activities that may diminish
  resource value and potential.
• 2. Encourage more comprehensive management of
  the resource
• land base.
• 3. Protect the environment.
• 4. Encourage and protect outdoor recreational
  opportunities.

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Area G- Environmental Protection Workshop

• Q1 Where are the important environmental
  features located and what types of
  environmentally sensitive areas should be
  recognized in the OCP as deserving protection?
• General Outcomes
• The comments and discussions indicated a
  strong support for protecting the natural
  environment and identifying and protecting all
  knows water features (riparian areas) within
  Electoral Area 'G'. In addition, groundwater
  resources, both quantity and quality appeared to
  be of key importance and should be protected.

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Area G- Environmental Protection

• Groundwater Resources
• Area G Objectives
• 1. Support and encourage further research,
  inventories, and monitoring of ground resources
  within the Plan Area.
• 2. Ensure that development applications and
  proposed subdivisions do not have affect on the
  quantity or quality of groundwater both today and
  into the future.
• 3. Encourage a comprehensive and innovative
  approach to water conservation
• Area A Objectives
• 4. Recognize and protect the Cassidy aquifer and
  other aquifers in the Plan Area

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Environmentally Sensitive Features
Electoral Area A Policies Electoral Area G Policies
Identify and protect environmentally sensitive features of Plan Area. Identify, protect, conserve, restore, and enhance environmentally sensitive areas
Encourage and support community stewardship of environmentally sensitive features. Ensure that site specific evaluations of properties with environmentally sensitive features through the development process and encourage evaluations to occur prior to land alteration.
Development shall conform to Develop With Care Environmental Guidelines for Urban and Rural Development in British Columbia as amended and/or replaced from time to time.
Develop With Care Environmental Guidelines for
Urban and Rural Development in British Columbia
Document prepared by the Ministry of Environment
that provides province-wide guidelines for
maintaining environmental values during the
development of urban and rural lands
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Parks, Recreation and Community Services

• Area G Workshop Results Suggestions for Area
  A
• Retain the existing 20
  Retain and expand current
• park/green space currently enjoyed
  parkland, perhaps seek new
• in Electoral Area 'G
  land suitable for parks or
• 
  recreation.
• Ways to acquire new parklands and trails
• Maintained as public land (e.g. Crown land)
• Purchase
• Agreement with other agency (eg. trail on highway
  right-of-way)
• Subdivision criteria for accepting park through
  dedication
• As a community amenity through a density bonus
• As a requirement of rezoning
• Development Cost Charge for park

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Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Electoral Area G Electoral Area G Electoral Area A
Area G Changes after 2nd Draft Suggestions for Area A Suggestions for Area A
It is strongly preferred that land being considered for park land be maintained in its natural state and should not be cleared. Cleared and distributed lands should only be accepted where the proposed park land is to be used for recreational uses which require cleared land Employ same Strategy Employ same Strategy
The development of a protected area strategy for the Plan Area is supported Develop a protected area strategy Develop a protected area strategy
Top Priorities for Parkland Secure trail system
from Morden Mine to Hemer Provincial Park
(bridge over Nanaimo River).
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Development Permit Area 1

• Two qualifying categories for developing permit
  consideration
• Protection of the natural environment, its
  ecosystems and biological diversity.
• Form and character of commercial and industrial
  development

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Development Permit Area 1

• Guidelines
• The discharge of any treated effluent and storm
  water shall not negatively impact the water
  quality of the Cassidy aquifer or Alfred, West
  Patterson, East Patterson, and Thomas Creeks.
  Treated effluent and diverted storm water
  collection and discharge systems will require
  provision for grease, oil, and sedimentation
  removal facilities and the on-going maintenance
  of these facilities. To ensure all proposed
  systems adequately protect the Cassidy aquifer,
  such systems shall be engineered to the
  satisfaction of the Regional District.
• 2. Where land use activities involve the use,
  handling, storage, or manufacturing of potential
  contaminants, provision shall be made that will
  prevent seepage of such contaminants into the
  Cassidy aquifer. All provisions shall be approved
  by the applicable senior government agencies
  prior to issuance of the development permit.
  (note underlined)

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Development Permit Area 1

• Guidelines
• 3. Landscaping shall be provided in
  accordance with the current Regional District of
  Nanaimo Land Use and Subdivision Bylaw and to
  promote compatibility with surrounding land uses.
  
• Signage shall generally be visually unobtrusive
  and grouped
• wherever possible. Particular emphasis shall
  generally be given to signage, which is
  aesthetically pleasing and requires a minimal
  amount of lighting or boldness to be effective.
• Buildings and structures, located on parcels
  adjacent to the Trans
• Canada Highway, South Wellington Road, or
  Schoolhouse Road, shall generally be sited and
  shaped in a visually unobtrusive manner.

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Development Permit Area 1
Development Permit Area A comparison with other RDN Areas. Development Permit Area A comparison with other RDN Areas. Development Permit Area A comparison with other RDN Areas. Development Permit Area A comparison with other RDN Areas.  
Overview Idea of performing this exercise is that the planners overlooking, and responsible for the formation of these DPA's, come from the same planning office overlooking your area. Because OCP's are, at the end of the day, a planners tool, these recommendations come with a certain degree of leverage, in that they are powers being granted to other citizens within the RDN. It is up to you to decide if they are relevant to your DPA, and worth pursuing. Overview Idea of performing this exercise is that the planners overlooking, and responsible for the formation of these DPA's, come from the same planning office overlooking your area. Because OCP's are, at the end of the day, a planners tool, these recommendations come with a certain degree of leverage, in that they are powers being granted to other citizens within the RDN. It is up to you to decide if they are relevant to your DPA, and worth pursuing. Overview Idea of performing this exercise is that the planners overlooking, and responsible for the formation of these DPA's, come from the same planning office overlooking your area. Because OCP's are, at the end of the day, a planners tool, these recommendations come with a certain degree of leverage, in that they are powers being granted to other citizens within the RDN. It is up to you to decide if they are relevant to your DPA, and worth pursuing. Overview Idea of performing this exercise is that the planners overlooking, and responsible for the formation of these DPA's, come from the same planning office overlooking your area. Because OCP's are, at the end of the day, a planners tool, these recommendations come with a certain degree of leverage, in that they are powers being granted to other citizens within the RDN. It is up to you to decide if they are relevant to your DPA, and worth pursuing.  
Methodology Compared DPA's from other Electoral Areas within the Regional District against South Wellington DPA. Methodology Compared DPA's from other Electoral Areas within the Regional District against South Wellington DPA. Methodology Compared DPA's from other Electoral Areas within the Regional District against South Wellington DPA. Methodology Compared DPA's from other Electoral Areas within the Regional District against South Wellington DPA.  
Current OCP Entry Issue Area 'A' relevantDPA Entry Alternative Language Used Possible Action by SWACA
Area G Shaw Hill Currently a Development Permit is not required for the subdivision of land within the DPA. Exemptions 2, and missing from Guidelines. 8.1-Bowser Village DPA- IntroPrior to any subdivision or construction on landsowner shall obtain a DP Because Shawhill demands that subdivisions be subject to the same Development Permit guidelines as other projects within the DPA, it allows for added layers of community control (see next row)
  It is not made clear what a developer is required to submit for development approval in the DPA. Not Present. 8.1-Bowser Village DPA- Guidelines 1.. A Comprehensive Development Proposalwhich shall provide the following info. See Area H DPA plan. Decide what information you want developers to provide (their list is a good start). Also consider demanding a public presentation (by developer) for developments before the DP is approved in this set of guidelines.
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Development Permit Area 1
Current OCP Entry Issue Area 'A' relevantDPA Entry Alternative Language Used Possible Action by SWACA
Area E (Nanoose) Land alterations, building additions/alterations are not required to submit a DP. It is not clear what scale of renovations/ land alteration/ Construction require a DP. The Nanoose DPA Requires all major renovations To submit a DPA. (DPA exemptions Pg.4-defines what a major renovation is (gt10m2) Ask for the DPA to more clearly list what developments are subject to a DP.
Area C- East Wellington Currently systems to protect the Cassidy aquifer Are subject only to "the satisfaction of the Regional District." A third party approval for drainage, waste water, Environmental sensitivity, etc. may be desired. DPA No.1 Guidelines- 1. Discharge of any treated effluent shall not Negatively impact water quality.To ensure systems are adequateengi- neered to satisfaction of Regional District. Like most developments, RAR are met to the accordance of a QEP, But rather uniquely, a geotechnical engineer is required for Hazardous developments. Neither a QEP nor a Geotechnical engineer may be the best fit, but OCP has legal authority to identify an organization or profession which must approve a developments impacts in a specified area.
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Development Permit Area 1
Current OCP Entry Issue Area 'A' relevantDPA Entry Alternative Language Used Possible Action by SWACA
Area F Errington The ambiguity over what level of Conformity developers must meet different standards Very Unclear Guidelines4.6 Prior to the granting of building permits require a final approval by QEP (third party) confirming that they have met requirements. 4.9 ensures that measures outlined by QEP (or other third party) are made part of the DP conditions. This point is only relevant if pursuing third party standards is a strategy for the DPA. If developers not living up to requirements in the past has been a problem, this is where the order of events required for a DP can be clarified (ie meet standards, then DP, Occupancy, Business License, etc.).
Other DPA is not considered to play a role in helping to create a "complete community." Section 1 Containing Urban Sprawl Creating Complete Communities Policy 11 If multi-family or commercial units are desired in the area, this is existing documentation That could encourage such uses. Other two DPA's in Area are only other area's recognized. Consider broadening the argument, and demand a complete set of objectives and policies regarding how the SW DPA can serve to help Create a Complete Community.