“Dear Chair and Directors:

Thank you kindly for considering our correspondence of September 14 and taking action to pursue a water study for Savary Island as part of the Official Community Plan (OCP) Review. We believe this is an excellent start to the research that is needed to determine the overall carrying capacity of Savary Island.

As you are aware, previous OCP consultant Derek Pratt concluded that Savary was reaching “critical development thresholds” nearly 30 years ago. Since that time, there have been numerous building booms and lots developed such that the Island has gone from the 491 developed lots reported in 1997, to approximately 1,000 today (based on the number of propane customers). Since the OCP was completed in 2006, development on the Island has more than doubled. The sustainability of the Island now depends on land use regulation.

SILT requests that the Regional District conduct a carrying capacity assessment and factor the results of these assessments into enforceable zoning and siting requirements.

We have communicated with consultant William Trousdale william@ecoplan.ca about what a carrying capacity study for Savary might involve. Mr. Trousdale is a globally recognized and award-winning planner, economist, decision analyst and tourism expert and knows Savary well. He is also an Adjunct Professor at UBC and SFU. He concurs that a water study is a good place to start and outlines other aspects that should be included in a carrying capacity study.”

Read Mr. Trousdale’s suggestions and the rest of the letter by clicking here.