Lantzville is postponing its timeline to limit natural gas as a primary heat source in the construction of new homes, following a split vote.
On June 26, council passed first and second readings of a bylaw to begin measuring carbon use on all new construction starting in January to collect baseline data and to provide a transition period, then require zero-carbon systems starting next June. This would be ahead of the province's mandatory change in 2030.
On Wednesday, July 10, Coun. Ian Savage, who wasn't in attendance during the previous readings, put forward a motion to postpone the third reading until the fall.
"The specific reasons I'd like to postpone this [is] we need this time to gather all the facts and figures and we need this time to consult with builders, with Fortis gas, with B.C. Hydro and of course with residents," Savage said. "Residents have the right to have the say on such important legislation and some residents like me want to give new residents or current residents who are building a new house or adding on or building a carriage house, give them a say in this."
The motion had the support of Coun. Jonathan Lerner and Mayor Mark Swain.
Swain said the extra time can give the district an opportunity to invite FortisB.C. and B.C.Hydro to present to council ahead of the third vote and give additional information such as the impact on future gas lines.
"Giving this a little more time to soak and getting a little more feedback from the building community wouldn't hurt," the mayor said. "At some point we're going to make change, we have to, but I think in the meantime we can see how quickly we want to change."
In objection to the postponement were councillors Joan Jones and Rachelle Mundell. While in favour of additional resident engagement, Jones cited the official community plan in her opposition.
"We as a council are under, and I take it seriously, an obligation to follow the OCP, the spirit of the OCP when it doesn't speak exactly to things."
Reading from the OCP, she said "Lantzville residents have a healthy respect and appreciation for the beautiful natural environment in which they live. Their vision of the future is one of an environmentally aware and environmentally friendly community with an abundance of trees, green spaces, and corridors, walking/hiking/bicycling paths and trails, clean beaches, and a healthy waterfront."
She added that the OCP supports the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through objectives including targets to reduce GHG emissions, and encourages alternative energy sources in new development.
"That makes it pretty clear in my mind what I would like to see going forward as a councillor," Jones said. "It's a very strong statement in support of the bylaw."
Mundell drew attention to Nanaimo already passing its own policy last fall, and expressed that she felt it could cause confusion if the two boundaries have different step codes.
"I think we need to look forward, we're going in that direction, as I think we all agree, so I'm not sure why we would at all delay."
If third reading passes this October, all new buildings, following a transition period, would be required to have a main heat source outside of natural gas, such as electric heat pumps, and there would also be restrictions on natural gas stoves. Natural gas would remain acceptable as a back-up source of power. Existing buildings would not be impacted.
Twelve jurisdictions, including nine on Vancouver Island, already have zero-carbon step code policies in place. Nanaimo passed its own policy in a 5-4 vote last fall.
