On September 15, 2008 the committee of the whole has recommended council give first reading to a bylaw amending the Official Community Plan to include the municipality's Greenway Strategy. Celene Fung, planner for Bowen Island Municipality (BIM) presented the revised strategy to council members in September. Consistent with the vision and strategic direction of the OCP, Fung said the strategy builds on, strengthens and broadens the island's principal guiding document.
At the core of the strategy, explained the planner, is a vision of cooperative stewardship whereby communities are brought together towards preserving and protecting the environment and Bowen's natural assets. Covering the entire island, the document will effectively help guide future policy and bylaw development, said Fung. It is a means for developing an extensive, interconnected network of protected natural lands that will be managed for environmental conservation and protection, recreation and eco-tourism, as well as community health and wellness purposes.
The intent of the Greenways Strategy is to aid in the conservation of natural resources, sensitive ecosystems, watersheds, coastline areas, unique landscape areas, cultural landscapes, wildlife habitats and migration routes, and other natural areas. In addition, trails within the greenways systems provide recreation and sustainable non-motorized transportation opportunities. By promoting environmental conservation and public trail development on Bowen Island, the local economy can also benefit from the spin off eco-tourism opportunities, as many visitors come to experience Bowen’s natural setting.
According to the strategy, where appropriate, the municipality will secure and protect lands for greenways using a variety of administrative and regulatory methods. These may include the purchasing or designating of significant natural spaces, promoting private dedications and donations, creating supportive bylaw regulations and policies, securing environmental or green space conservation covenants, negotiating statutory right-of-ways and easements, encouraging rezoning amenity contributions that encompass significant greenways, exploring density transfer mechanisms, creating special permits or review processes for environmental sensitive areas, establishing stewardship partnerships, and supporting community greenways initiatives.
The committee of the whole directed staff to organize a public information meeting on the Greenways Strategy. The proposed bylaw will also be referred to the Islands Trust and the Advisory Planning Committee for comments.
The public information session was held on October 23, 2008. The community members that attended the public information session had diverse opinions in regards to the proposed Greenways Strategy. Most were supportive or did not express any concerns. Some community members felt that the proposed Strategy was more idealistic than practical and felt that the proposed Strategy was too broad and vague. Several community members recommended maps be included to accompany the proposed Strategy illustrating potential Greenway corridors instead of creating a general island-wide Greenways Strategy. The majority of concerns raised were primarily about private property rights.
Staff reported back to Council on March 16, 2009 on the outcomes of the referral process and public information session. Council directed staff to proceed to set a Public Hearing date and incorporate council's suggestions.
