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Qualicum Beach roundup: Airport land use update, speed limit reduction request, lawn bowling battle

Council notes from the latest regular meeting
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Qualicum Beach airport land use update

Qualicum Beach town council endorsed the use of the south side of the airport primarily for Light Industrial and Airside uses, as in the draft Qualicum Beach Airport Land Use Plan. Council also referred the topics of housing an the lands north of the airport to the June 13 committee of the whole meeting for discussion.

“This is a project that’s been underway for quite some time, we have a consultant… who led a public information meeting recently,” said Qualicum Beach director of planning Luke Sales. “There’s been a public consultation exercise to have public input on the future of this property and that is still ongoing. There was a survey that closed recently and we had close to 700 responses.”

Sales said consensus among the public responses was wanting a general commitment to light industrial use on the south side of the airport.

RELATED: Town of Qualicum Beach holds information meetings on airport land use

Former St. Andrew’s Waterfront Park

Council directed staff to proceed with a proposal form Lanarc Consultants for the former St. Andrew’s Waterfront Park.

The town put forward a request for proposal process looking for consultants to help guide the vision for the valuable town-owned land.

“We received one response from Lanarc Consultants and this is a group we’re very familiar with,” said town director of planning Luke Sales. “They’ve been involved with the town in many aspects over the years, most recently with the design of the Seaside Memorial Park (Faye Smith Memorial Park) and they’re very familiar with many aspects of the OCP.”

Sales said the proposal is $50,000.

“That’s a substantial investment in this type of planning exercise, however as it is a high priority for the town and there is money allocated in the budget this year, staff are recommending that it proceed,” Sales said.

RELATED: St. Andrews Lodge waterfront to become town park

Speed limit reduction requested

Qualicum Beach resident Heather Quinlan appeared before council to request that the speed limit on Highway 19A be lowered from 70 km/h to 50 km/h from Hemsworth Road to Bennett Road.

“Trying to get out of Qualicum Road… either going towards Parksville or towards Qualicum Beach is a hazard to just past Hemsworth. It goes from 50 to 70 km/h and it’s a blind spot. There’s been numerous accidents,” Quinlan said.

Lawnbowling match: Parksville council vs. Qualicum Beach council

Qualicum Beach council members will take on Parksville council members in a lawnbowling match on Sunday, May 26 (Family Day) at the Qualicum Beach Lawn Bowling Club at 9 a.m.

Coun. Adam Walker said some stakes have been made for the competition.

“First, we’re asking all of council to contribute some funds…and the winning team will get the pot for a local charity,” Walker said. “Secondly, the Family Day committee has been looking for someone to warm up the dunk tank, so the losing mayor will volunteer for the dunk tank.”

karly.blats@pqbnews.com

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