The Regional District of Nanaimo board has given preliminary approval to a community parks local service amendment bylaw for the Gabriola Island area.
At the committee of the whole meeting Tuesday night, directors approved measures to approve the bylaw and also send it to the B.C. office of the inspector of municipalities for approval.
Howard Houle, regional district director Gabriola and surrounding islands, has been working with staff and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to develop the Village Way Trail, a 1.54-kilometre, partially paved trail what would run from the corner of North and South roads, down to Tin Can Alley.
“In order for us to build on [ministry] right of way, they need to give us permission ... but in order to have a bylaw, you can't have it on property that you don't own or lease, or have a licence to occupy,” said Houle.
“So what our intention is by taking those documents, we're sending them to the minister for approval, asking for that authority, so that once we have that, we can go back to the [ministry] and say, 'Well we have the authority, and we'd like to exercise (it) for this area,” he said.
Houle said he doesn't know when he will hear back from the inspector of municipalities.
Work will go to tender after approval, Houle said.
The measures still need final approval, which is expected to come at the March 22 regular board meeting.