Gabriola committee directs freshwater hazard map into OCP review
The committee endorsed an engagement plan for the Official Community Plan review and directed staff to consider the freshwater hazard map and its recommendations when developing policy options.
The Denman Firestarter · Governance · 2026-03-23 · updated 2026-10-09 · Gabriola Island
The Gabriola Island Local Trust Committee directed staff to consider the Freshwater Footprint Hazard map, associated analysis and recommendations in developing policy options for the Official Community Plan review. The motion carried at the committee’s March 23 special meeting.[1]
The committee also received a report on the Freshwater Footprint methodology and Gabriola case study from GW Solutions. The minutes say the presentation covered freshwater resources, results of the 2025 water survey, hazards and risks, groundwater recharge potential, estimated residential groundwater use and mapping related to aquifer stresses and water quality.[1]
During the question-and-answer period, the Senior Freshwater Specialist said flow data was unavailable, so the study did not provide a quantitative analysis of water discharged to freshwater ecosystems after groundwater extraction.[1] The minutes also record that areas of water stress were identified in places with high density on smaller lots and commercial use, based on use of more than 40% of groundwater recharge.[1]
The committee endorsed a revised project charter and a communications and engagement plan for the next steps in the Official Community Plan and Land Use Bylaw review. The minutes say the charter reflects a request for an in-person meeting before first reading of the draft plan, and that alternative dates for a community engagement session would need to be identified.[1]
In the meeting recording, Island Planner Narissa Chadwick said the plan’s implementation section would identify the need to revise development permit areas and list priorities, with water-related areas at the highest priority.[2] The minutes say new Development Permit Areas were not included in the project scope, while the Official Community Plan has an implementation and advocacy section identifying next steps for them.[1]
Sources
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Gabriola Island Local Trust Committee Special Meeting Minutes, March 23, 2026
The Official Community Plan provides direction on land use planning and data will be used in decisions related to density through applications and Local Trust Committee initiatives.
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Transcript of the meeting recording (260323B)
so then there's the second motion there
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