The Islands Trust has launched its new mapping system into cyberspace.
MapIT gives islanders quick online access to the same mapping information staff and trustees use during the land-use planning process.
“You can explore the islands with the click of a mouse in your own home,” said Linda Adams, chief administrative officer. “Or you can build your own custom map of a single property or an entire island.”
MapIT puts several years of assembled mapped data in one place, matches it to legal property lines and makes it accessible to the public.
The system provides an easy-to-use interface for accessing up-to-date geographic information including sensitive ecosystems, zoning and property information and land title data.
Homeowners, community groups, students and businesses that need property information, or want to explore detailed property assessment, will find current and historical air photos and topographic, contour, road and lot lines, as well as measuring tools to determine distance or area.
“MapIT will be a living tool, continuously growing and evolving,” said Adams. “The next step is to link the zoning classification for each property directly to the relevant land-use bylaw.”
Access to the program, as well as tutorials for learning basic features and functions is available at www.islandstrust.bc.ca.
The Islands Trust represents 25,000 people living on islands between the B.C. mainland and southern Vancouver Island, including Howe Sound and as far north as Comox.
The trust is responsible for preserving and protecting the 5,200 square-kilometre environment on 13 major islands including Gabriola, Hornby, Galiano, Bowen and Salt Spring and 450 smaller islands.