Lori Iannidinardo CVRD Director for Area D Cowichan Bay

OCP UPDATE: 29 Mar 2011

Greetings from the Area D OCP Steering Committee!

We are currently exploring opportunities to support business and economic development in the community through the new Official Community Plan.

If you are interested in providing input about the kinds of businesses that we have or should have and what actions should be taken to support economic development in Area D - Cowichan Bay, then we would like to hear from you. The Area D OCP Business Survey will take approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete: 

Click here to complete the survey

Please note, no personal information collected through the survey will be shared to any third party.

OCP UPDATE: Mar 21, 2011

OCP Survey #2 was conducted between December 15, 2010 and February 15, 2011 as part of the Area D – Cowichan Bay Official Community Plan process. The intent of the survey was to seek input from Area D residents and stakeholders on draft OCP goals and potential policy directions. A total of 168 surveys were completed.

Results of the survey are available in two separate documents on the CVRD website:

• Goals and Directions Survey Results (6 pages)
• Goals and Directions Survey Comments (38 pages)

OCP UPDATE: Feb 16, 2011

A community meeting was held last night at Bench School to discuss a proposed VORR (vessel operation restriction regulation) and navigation channel for Cowichan Bay.  The VORR would restrict boating activity (motor boats and anchoring) in areas identified as eelgrass habitat; the marked navigation channel is intended to provide safe, unobstructed access to marinas and the boat launch in Cowichan Bay.

OCP UPDATE: Feb 16, 2011

Thank you to all of the community members who participated in our neighbourhood workshop at Bench School on February 8th. The small group discussions provided some very thoughtful and constructive input. A summary report is now available on the CVRD website: http://www.cvrd.bc.ca/DocumentView.aspx?DID=7280

OCP UPDATE: January 24, 2010

This message is an update on the OCP process and opportunities to participate.

OCP Survey #2 - Goals & Directions was launched in December. To date, we've received over 100 completed surveys but we want to hear from more of you. The survey has been extended to February 15th and is available online at www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22BREGXUTBH or www.cvrd.bc.ca.  Hardcopies of the survey are also available at True Grain Bread and at the CVRD office in Duncan.

Waterfront Focus Groups are taking place to discuss options for foreshore preservation and enhancement. If you are not already registered to participate in a focus group and would like to, please contact Ann Kjerulf, CVRD Planner, at 250.746.2629 or akjerulf@cvrd.bc.ca.

A Neighbourhood Workshop will take place February 8th from 6 - 9 pm at Bench Elementary School.  CVRD staff will provide an update on the OCP process and discuss proposed policy directions for different Area D - Cowichan Bay Neighbourhoods.  Participants will be able to review and debate these policy directions.

A second VORR (Vessel Operation Restriction Regulation) Workshop will take place February 15th from 7 - 9 pm at Bench Elementary School. Representatives from the CVRD, Cowichan Tribes, DFO, and Transport Canada will be on hand to respond to questions and concerns about proposed boat-restricted (eelgrass) areas in Cowichan Bay and a proposed navigation channel to access the boat launch and marinas.

A Questionnaire for Area D Businesses (including self-employed individuals and home-based businesses) will be distributed shortly. If you are a business owner in Area D and have not already received notification of the upcoming business questionnaire, please conatct Ann Kjerulf at akjerulf@cvrd.bc.ca or 250.746.2629.

Thanks for your interest in the Area D - Cowichan Bay OCP!

OCP UPDATE: Dec 22, 2010

We are midway through the OCP process and it's time to make some choices about how we are going to achieve our community's goals for the future. Take OCP Survey #2 - Goals & Directions to have your say.

To take the survey, visit:
www.cvrd.bc.ca or www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22BNTLAA7PN

This survey will be available online until February 15, 2011. Participants will be eligible to win a basket full of local goodies.

Thank you and have a safe and happy holiday!
The Area D - Cowichan Bay OCP Steering Committee

OCP UPDATE: Dec 16, 2010

CVRD needs input from waterfront residents - has created new email list

As you may know, a couple of initiatives were brought forward recently that would directly affect waterfront residents, including:
 

OCP UPDATE: Dec 3, 2010

Food Security and Our Local Economy
Affinity Guesthouse, 5155 Samuel Rd.
Thursday, December 16, 2010, 1-4 pm

To date, public input to the Area D - Cowichan Bay OCP process indicates that residents strongly value farming as a component of the community's economy and character; and "Sustaining Agriculture" has been identified as a key goal for the OCP. Yet there are challenges to sustaining agriculture and increasing local food security for future generations.

Join us for a free “talk show” featuring a panel of industry representatives to discuss opportunities to grow our agricultural economy and increase local food security through our Official Community Plan.

Panel members will include; Jill Hatfield of the Ministry of Agriculture; Bev Suderman, a local consultant and food security advocate; Geoff Millar of Economic Development Cowichan; Bill Code, medical doctor and president of the Island Farmers Alliance; and Bruce Stewart of Cittaslow Cowichan.

To register and for more information, contact Maddy Koch, CVRD Planning Assistant at mkoch@cvrd.bc.ca or 250-746-2620.

OCP UPDATE - Nov 24, 2010

Alternative energy is becoming an increasingly important element of planning for resilient, enduring and sustainable communities. Join OCP Steering Committee Members as we learn more about what we can do to lessen our reliance on fossil fuels, reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and shift to alternative energy sources. Everyone is welcome to attend the following workshop sponsored by Cowichan Energy Alternatives:

Alternative Energy Workshop
The Challenge of Replacing Fossil Fuels
Island Savings Centre (Heritage Hall), Duncan
Saturday November 27th 1 - 5 pm