The Town of Gibsons has launched an elector approval process to extend the Town’s boundary to include five properties currently in Area E. In this boundary extension process, which is set out by the province, only residents of the Town of Gibsons vote. SCRD residents do not vote, and there is no requirement for the SCRD to endorse the proposal, although “our participation is encouraged” by the province.
The province’s process for municipal annexation of neighbouring regional district properties has long been the subject of complaints, with the most recent UBCM resolution being sponsored by Cowichan Valley Regional District in 2019.
The last boundary extension into Elphinstone took place in 2009 and involved 11 businesses along Highway 101 who wanted to connect to the Town’s sewer. By contrast, none of the five properties currently requesting to join the Town have been developed. Since property taxes are higher in the Town than in the SCRD, it appears that the owners seek to increase their property values.
The Town’s Information Package identifies the property owners as two numbered companies and School District 46.
SCRD staff have prepared a report on the boundary extension for the May 8 Committee of the Whole agenda. It notes that there will be potential impacts to infrastructure (e.g. water connections), service delivery (e.g. garbage collection), and zoning. Although water and sewer connections must be paid for by property owners, it is unclear how much this boundary adjustment process will cost the SCRD in terms of staff time.
Under the Alternate Approval Process, voters in the Town of Gibsons have until June 2 to register if they OPPOSE the boundary extension. If fewer than 401 objections are registered by that date, the proposal will pass. It will then be sent to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs for approval.
