If neighbours of an approximately 10-acre forested property in Maple Bay want North Cowichan to purchase it and turn it into a park, they'll have to foot the bill.
The Municipality of North Cowichan is poised to purchase two vacant properties for $1.163 million for the purposes of nature conservation and the development and preservation of a trail network.
The properties total 3.66 hectares (9.6 acres) near Donnay Drive in Maple Bay. They were originally donated by the Sisters of St. Ann to the Providence Farm Housing Society, the charity that operates the therapeutic community at the farm, for the purpose of creating social housing. But the housing project did not proceed and Providence Farm listed them for sale.
The land was first offered to Cowichan Tribes, but the First Nation declined.
In March, a contingent of neighbours asked the municipality to buy the land.
Brenda Reid-Kuecks and a number of other residents from the area pointed out to council that the adjacent neighbourhoods have only one small pocket park/playground available for their use, and about 30 years ago “adopted” the property for recreation and for the enjoyment of nature and it is widely used by the community.
“This small pocket of forested land is also home to many large cedar and fir trees and, as such, home to several species of wildlife and birds that are increasingly under pressure for land and resources,” the group told council.
North Cowichan has reached an agreement in principle with the Vancouver Island Providence Community Association for the sale of the land. Council will consider the formal authorization of the Local Area Service process to proceed at their Sept. 17 meeting.
The purchase depends on the approval of a Local Area Service (LAS), a funding mechanism outlined in B.C.’s Community Charter. Under this model, the cost of the land purchase would be borne by property owners within a defined distance of the properties.
A total of 662 neighbours have been identified as the most likely to benefit from the new nature space as they are within a 10 minute walk of the land.
“Council has heard from many people in the community about the importance and value of preserving these lands,” said Mayor Rob Douglas. “This Local Area Service process provides a way for the neighbouring residents to take a proactive role in protecting this important green space and will help keep access to nature close to home.”
The municipality will buy the land unless at least 50 per cent of the 662 property owners oppose the initiative through a formal petition.
Each property within the proposed LAS area is eligible to submit one petition in opposition during the petition period, which is open from Oct. 1 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 31.
All affected property owners will receive a formal notice by mail outlining: a description of the proposed service, a map of the LAS boundary, estimated costs and tax impacts, and instructions for submitting an opposition petition.
To stop the purchase, the opposed land owners must represent at least 50 per cent of the total assessed value of all properties in the proposed LAS area.
Should the sale go through, the affected properties within the LAS would see an annual charge of approximately $130 per year for 20 years added to their property tax bill (based on four per cent interest over the length of repayment period). If the petition opposing the LAS is successful, the land sale will not move forward. Property owners will also have the option to pay the entire amount at once.
“We are happy to see that North Cowichan is taking steps to protect the lands and trees for public use. This agreement will also support our mission of providing a therapeutic community for those who are not easily accepted elsewhere, as well as stewarding lands in a harmonious way for people and the environment,” said Bev Suderman, board chair of the Vancouver Island Providence Community Association.
For more information, including maps, FAQs and information on the LAS process, visit connectnorthcowichan.ca/donnay-lands
