Crime is down in Qualicum Beach. In a report to town council Aug. 13, Staff Sergeant Brian Hunter of the Oceanside RCMP presented year-to-date crime statistics. Overall, the numbers are down with only minuscule increases in residential mischief (22), impaired driving charges (4) and residential break-ins (8).
Traffic offenses remain a focus for the police and Hunter noted one officer issued 26 tickets in one day for distracted driving (cell phone use) offenses.
• The Chartwell Residents Association is asking the town to build a loop trail from Sunrise Drive to the Bennett Road dog park, connecting with Rupert and Fern roads.
Council voted to consider it at their financial planning process in the fall, but Mayor Teunis Westbroek told spokesperson Tom Davies not to expect anything this year.
• The town will investigate its options on allowing low-speed, or electric, vehicles on Bennett/Rupert roads, and will talk with Milner Gardens and Woodland about changing speed limits on Highway 19A near their facility.
• The Qualicum Beach Seniors Activity Centre will celebrate seniors Oct. 14 to 20 with activities throughout town.
• The Village Neighbourhood Planing project took the next steps to approval Monday night. Councillors Mary Brouilette, Bill Luchtmeijer and Dave Willie voted to advance proposals to reduce DCCs in the downtown core and to relax building height restrictions in the same area. Council also voted to advance a ground floor residential space allowance bylaw.
The proposals now go to a public hearing Sept. 10 at the Civic Centre at 7 p.m. the regular council meeting planned for that night will follow at the same location.
• Council awarded a $29,800 contract to Murdoch de Greef Inc. of Victoria for the town’s Green Laneways Design Project (stormwater management). The town received a $30,000 grant for the project.
• Town council approved a bylaw to keep smokers further away from the entrances to public buildings. They must now stay 7.5 meters away (compared to 3m prior).
The bylaw only applies to the town’s public facilities and outdoor patios.