We will be asking 2 questions on Saturday (exact questions on form at Meadowood store June 4th) one about the dollar toll on and off 19 and also a question about the Qualicum river estates village center. Do you want to keep this Village center? .The reason is that the RDN poll confused many of our members who did it and we felt it was important for the RDN to know how our residents stood on this question
Click on this link to see RDN poll
Following is a desciption of the village centers or nodes in our OCPs (official community plans)
Village Centres
Village Centres are mixed-used ‘focal points’ of a community or neighbourhood, potentially supporting a variety of commercial, recreational, community and professional services. A Village Centre may also contain multi family or smaller lot residential development. This OCP contains four village centres: the Coombs Village Centre, the Errington Village Centre, the Hilliers Village Centre and the Qualicum River Estates Village Centre.
The Coombs Village Centre contains the largest concentration of commercial and tourist related services in the Plan Area. Currently, the Centre contains the Coombs Market, several retail stores providing a wide range of products and services, the French Creek Elementary School, a church and outdoor amusement rides. Approximately 270 dwelling units could be accommodated in this Centre.
The Errington Village Centre has been the location for commercial, cultural and social activities in the eastern part of the Plan Area since the early 1900s. Currently, the Centre contains a general store, several retail/service stores, a community centre, a sawmill, and the Errington Elementary School. Approximately 60 dwelling units could be accommodated in this Centre.
Qualicum River Estates is located in the northwest corner of the Plan Area adjacent to the Little Qualicum River. Lands have been acquired for a future school site and park land as part of the subdivision approval process. It is anticipated that the Centre will provide the services and facilities needed by local residents.
Approximately 153 dwelling units could be accommodated in this Centre.
The Hilliers Village Centre, located on Highway 4 to the west of the Coombs Village Centre, contains a mix of commercial/industrial services and smaller residential lots. There is a long history of commercial activity in the Village Centre, and potential for future commercial/industrial and residential development.
Approximately 116 dwelling units could be accommodated in this Centre.
Lands within all Centres are designated Comprehensive Mixed Use. The lands designated as village centres and each centre’s corresponding Rural Separation Boundary are shown on Map No. 2. Objectives
1. Concentrate compatible uses to improve the function of the Village Centres.
2. Establish limits to the Village Centres by designating lands as ‘Village Centre’.
3. Establish a Rural Separation Boundary around each Village Centre to allow for community servicing
to parcels within the Boundary (the lands designated within each Centre exactly coincide with the Rural Separation Boundary for each Village Centre).
General Policies
1. A mix of uses compatible with the Village Centre may be permitted in the Village Centres without an amendment to the Official Community Plan. Compatible uses include (but are not limited to): tourist accommodations, retail stores, smaller lot or multi-family residential developments, tourist information booths, offices, restaurants, recreation facilities, public markets, neighbourhood pubs, public assembly uses, personal care services, and schools.
2. The RDN may, with the participation of local residents and stakeholders, initiate the preparation of a Village Plan for any and/or all Village Centres. A Village Plan shall contain specific goals, objectives and implementation measures for the Centre.
Electoral Area ‘F’ Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1152, 1999 Land Use Designations Section 2 – Page 3
3. The ultimate number of dwelling units to be accommodated within the Village Centres and servicing infrastructure shall be determined through the Village Plans. In the interim, build-out projections are established in the text of this Plan as a guide for future planning. These calculations are based on the amount of undeveloped land, the introduction of community services and the retention of existing business uses. The number of potential dwelling units is based on allowing a ½ acre per unit on a gross area calculation. This calculation may be amended following the Village Plan process.
4. A single or two-storey pedestrian oriented form of development that recognizes the form and character of existing establishments shall be encouraged for properties in the Village Centres.