It remains yet to be seen what will be done on Billy Goat Island.
That is, despite land owner Michael Dix’s ongoing battles with the CVRD for a single-family dwelling.
After having a 3,200 square foot home denied, Dix came forth again, during an Electoral Area Services Committee meeting, with a new proposal, this time for a 2,400 square foot home.
He was denied, with a 6-3 vote against the proposal.
This denial was echoed more formally during a Wednesday, May 11, Regular Board Meeting.
“I tried to refer it back to staff,” Cowichan Lake South/Skutz Falls area director Ian Morrison said, adding that the motion would open the channels up for dialogue.
The motion was defeated.
Morrison was one of three directors to vote in favour of the motion for approval.
“I feel that denying his application is grossly premature,” he said. “We just haven’t agreed on the size (of the building).”
Morrison feels there’s still room for negotiation.
No recommendations have been made to Dix with regard to direction for a future application.
Billy Goat Island is located on Cowichan Lake, off the shore of Youbou. It’s a controversial item, as any development would encroach upon the island’s riparian zone.
Morrison urges wood fist
All building and renovation projects should take into account a wood first policy, Cowichan Lake South/Skutz Falls area director Ian Morrison urged the Vancouver Island Health Authority, during a Tuesday, May 11, Regular CVRD Board Meeting.
The issue came up during a discussion of $500,000 in renovations going on at Cowichan Lodge. In the renovations, the building’s cedar siding and external trim is being replaced with HardiPlank; a cement fibre siding.
“How can we be spending taxpayers dollars in a VIHA building with HardiPlank, while we complain that we’re exporting logs?” Morrison asked, after the meeting.
Adding insult to injury, the project was already underway before the application came forth.
“We need leadership on these issues,” Morrison said.
“If wood first is wood first, it’s a pretty clear policy from the government.”