Re: the story about the BSI proposed development in Deep Bay (The NEWS, Aug. 7).
Official Community Plans provide the direction a community has chosen after long and careful consideration and is the choice of the residents of the area and always has been. It provides the guidelines to developers about what they can build in an area and what they cannot.
Deep Bay is a unique community of owner built homes supporting local designers, craftsmen, contractors, electricians, plumbers and other workman and workwomen within the community in a sustainable process of growth. As well it supports local businesses.
Director Bill Veenhof and the RDN Board supported the original BSI application for 700 high-density units to be called a “minor amendment” creating a new village centre in the forest against recommendations by the RDN staff who listed significant issues. That process was to change the Regional Growth Strategy first, and then force the change in the OCP to conform to the RGS. Even municipalities must have their OCPs comply with the RDN’s RGS. That is how it works. Once the RGS includes a new “village centre” then the community has no choice but to accept it in an OCP. This was a very deceptive process. There was no formal consultation with residents during this two-year process with the fence sitting director.
Are OCPs there to be altered by every passing developer that is set on lining his own pockets by building on cheaper rural lands? Why is the RDN board allowing major developments in rural areas with limited services at the expense of development in municipal areas with services? Municipalities cannot compete with rural areas if developers are allowed to develop in areas contrary to the RGS and local OCPs.
So will we in Area H continue to have a fence-sitting director for the next four years?
Dianne Eddy
Deep Bay