Gabriola trustees ask RDN to defer enforcement at three properties
The committee also asked staff to discuss island-specific housing options with the Regional District of Nanaimo and explore permits for non-conforming dwellings.
The Denman Firestarter · Governance · 2025-10-09 · updated 2026-10-09 · Gabriola Island
The Gabriola Local Trust Committee asked its chair to write to the Regional District of Nanaimo seeking a deferral of current bylaw enforcement at three properties while their owners pursue a site-specific eco-village designation through the Official Community Plan review. The motion carried at the committee’s October 9 meeting.[1]
The committee also asked staff to invite RDN staff to discuss policy options for Gabriola’s housing needs and island-appropriate housing solutions; that motion carried. A separate motion directed staff to explore options for non-conforming dwellings, including Temporary Use Permits, cob, natural-build and non-manufactured tiny homes, with health, safety and environmental considerations; it also carried.[1]
The minutes record that members of the public raised concerns about housing security and possible RDN enforcement against property owners providing non-conforming housing. Trustees discussed writing to the RDN, possible Temporary Use Permits and the impacts of enforcement.[1]
The meeting recording includes a public speaker describing the cost of a tiny home and Trustee Elliott responding with price ranges discussed at a technical working group. The minutes also record a public comment that tiny-home building requirements could cost over $200K.[2][1]
The committee’s draft minutes say the meeting was held October 9, 2025, and adjourned at 3:49 p.m.[1]
Sources
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Gabriola Island Local Trust Committee Regular Meeting Minutes, draft, October 9, 2025
that the Gabriola Island Local Trust Committee request the Chair to write to the Regional Director Craig and planning staff at the Regional District of Nanaimo to respectfully request a deferment of current Regional District of Nanaimo bylaw enforcement on 750 South Road, 1400 South Road, and 1965 Stalker Road, in order to grant time to the property owners who intend to rezone their lots to a site-specific eco-village designation through the Gabriola Island Official Community Plan Review.
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Transcript of the meeting recording (251009B)
The two, Painted Turtle Consulting, I understand they're not a manufacturer.
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