The Approving Officer of the Bowen Island Municipality continues to review the subdivision application SUB 2004 – 15 for the development of 59 ten-acre lots at Cape Roger Curtis. The municipality received a revised application on 4 June from the Cape on Bowen Community Development Ltd.

According to the Land Title Act, once a subdivision application has been submitted, the Approving Officer has 60 days to either approve or reject the proposal. However, Bryan Kirk, who was the Approving Officer when BIM received the application, deemed that more time was needed to conduct due diligence because of the fact that the municipality was in the process of hiring a new Chief Administrative Officer, who would also take on the role of the Approving Officer.

Hendrik Slegtenhorst accepted that position as of 13 July and is now reviewing the various documents submitted. In the meantime, the developers have received appropriate notice of the need for additional time for a thorough examination of the application.

Although the approval of the subdivision is the sole responsibility of the Municipality’s Approving Officer, because the development of the Cape Roger Curtis is of such high community interest, the Approving Officer has determined that it is important for Council and the community to be informed of the process. The municipality received public comments on the application up until 10 July.

Currently, a technical review of the subdivision package is underway. The Planning Department is examining the subdivision proposal in the context of the Land Use Bylaw and the Development Permit Guidelines. In addition, the Planning Department has sought comments from the Trail Committee regarding the proposed trail network, the Municipality’s Park Planning Consultant – Mr. Mel Turner regarding park issues, and a third party environmental consultant for a review of the environmental studies that will be submitted by the proponent.

The municipality retained Dayton and Knight Ltd., a third party engineering consultant firm, to assist the Public Works Department in a review of the infrastructure components, primarily the road network, drainage and the water supply. Sewage disposal will fall under the jurisdiction of the Vancouver Health Region. The Fire Chief will examine the proposal in the context of fire protection.
The municipal solicitor will review the package of legal documents to determine their adequacy.

In his consideration of the public interest, the Approving Officer will also take into account relevant municipal bylaws and Council’s Municipal Framework for Planning the Future Use of the Cape Roger Curtis Lands adopted by policy in February 2006.