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Regional District of Nanaimo looking to update ‘inconsistent, unclear’ land-use bylaw

RDN surveying rural-area residents
28492019_web1_220316-PQN-RDN-Zoning-Bylaw-RDN_1
(PQB News file photo)

The Regional District of Nanaimo is seeking the public’s input on its plan to update its zoning bylaw in electoral areas.

Bylaw 500 is a planning document that regulates the use of land, buildings and structures in five of the seven RDN electoral areas. Several sections of the bylaw are inconsistent, unclear and difficult to interpret, and as a result, the bylaw is challenging for the RDN to administer and for property owners to understand, noted the regional district in a press release.

The bylaw covers a range of rules that property owners must follow when developing or using private lands. This includes land and building use, building heights, home-based businesses, secondary suites and more. At more than 36 years old, Bylaw 500 is outdated in many areas, said the RDN.

Residents are being encouraged to provide their feedback on draft bylaw improvement options through an online survey until April 7.

READ MORE: RDN: Governance and services study for Electoral Area F gets provincial approval

The regional district’s intention is that once the update is complete later this year, the bylaw will better reflect the range of land uses and building types that are in demand today in electoral areas of the RDN including Electoral Area A (Cedar, Yellow Point, Cassidy, South Wellington), Electoral Area C (Extension, Nanaimo Lakes, Jingle Pot), Electoral Area E (Nanoose, Fairwinds, Red Gap), Electoral Area G (Englishman River, San Pareil, French Creek, Little Qualicum, Dashwood), and Electoral Area H (Bowser, Horne Lake, Deep Bay, Qualicum Bay).

For more information and to register to complete the survey, visit http://getinvolved.rdn.ca/bylaw-500-review.

Complete the survey by April 7 to be entered for a chance to win a $50 gift card. Residents are also encouraged to register and subscribe to the project page to receive project updates and submit questions.

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