A sewer zoning issue in French Creek caused a minor stink at Monday's Qualicum Beach town council meeting.
Unhappy with the answers provided in a requested staff report about amendments to the Regional District of Nanaimo Northern Community Sewer Local Service Boundary, council voted to support only two single family lot requests, sending a third back to the RDN.
The applications would allow the lots to be connected to the RDN sewer system at the property owner's expense, but councillors were worried about the potential impact of the large third property on the French Creek Pollution Control Centre, or treatment plant.
The lot size for the forested third property, adjacent to Morningstar Golf Club on Robertson Boulevard is not given, but the report points out that it is sub-dividable and an application has been submitted to rezone for higher density.
Council said it looks like the plan is to put many more homes on the property, but those plans were not provided. The property appears big enough for several dozen homes.
The Qualicum Beach staff report points out that "The RDN does not require town consent..." for these sewer hook-ups, but they are informed as a member of the service area.
"I can't see any other rationale as to why there'd be a pressing need for that area to be moved into our sewer service area," said Coun. Bill Luchtmeijer.
"If that happens... the eastern seaboard of Vancouver Island is very soon going to be a strip mall of houses."
Council didn't vote on the third application.
• Council agreed to enter into a three year agreement with the Qualicum Beach Historical and Museum Society based on 0.5% of the town's share of property taxation and provide up to an additional $15,000 annual matching funds for fundraising initiatives.
• Council directed staff to initiate the Old Fire Hall Site Planning Process in accordance with the February 16, 2015 Planning memo to council, with all options including the option for repurposing the existing building be included.
• Council directed staff to provide a booth at the April 26 Flourishing in a Green Economy Fair hosted by Communities to Protect Our Coast at the civic centre. The booth will share information on the town's green energy initiatives.