Ryan Flaherty
Black Press
A motion by one of the directors of the Capital Regional District to curb a development in the Juan de Fuca Rural Resource lands has been postponed until next month.
Saanich Coun. Vic Derman withdrew the motion — which states that a rezoning application by Marine Trail Holdings Ltd. is inconsistent with the CRD’s Regional Growth Strategy — from the CRD board’s Aug. 10 agenda, citing the need for a further legal opinion on its merits.
“My belief is that the board holds the power to determine whether or not the application is consistent with the Regional Growth Strategy,” Derman said. “If the board was to rule it inconsistent, there is provincial legislation that says very, very specifically that no regional board is allowed to adopt a bylaw that is inconsistent with its own regional growth strategy.
“I intend to seek legal information independently at this time to ensure that the direction that I’m taking, which I believe to be legally correct, is in fact correct.”
Derman also acknowledged that the absence of several CRD directors at the meeting played a part in his decision.
“This is a huge, huge region that I think deserves consideration by the full board and as much as possible by the regular directors who make up the board,” Derman said.
However, Derman did file notice with the board that he intends to bring the motion forth when the board next meets on Sept. 14.
The rezoning application, which would see the development of a resort featuring over 250 cabins, has been hotly debated for several years now.
Two public hearings on the development will be held at the community hall in Sooke on Sept. 6 and 7.
