What’s new with Nanaimo sewage?

At Monday night’s council meeting in Nanaimo on February 26, 2012, the council passed an amendment to a Regional District Bylaw that council will allow a developer to build in areas that cannot be connected to the sewer system, such as Linley Valley West.

The pump and haul service has been established for property owners who have been unable to obtain Ministry of Health approval for a conventional septic disposal system.  The sewage would have to be hauled from Linley Valley for example to Chase River Pumping Station.

The following is from the meeting at 2:04.30 under Information Only Items.

Ruttan: We’ll move into Regional District Pump and Haul amendment bylaw 975.57 2012. Staff recommendation that council waive the consent requirements under section 801.4 of the local government act by consenting to adopting to the Regional District pump and haul and adopt amendment bylaw 975.57 2012.

(Amendment bylaw Moved. Seconded.)

Ruttan: Councillor Anderson?

Anderson: Thank you Mr. Chair.  This is a question for Staff. It says in the first sentence that Council waive the consent requirements under section 801.4 of the local government act. Could you give some of the implications of going through with this?

Kenning:  That’s sort of legal speak to say that you agree, so what they are asking you for is in the Regional District where there’s no sewer system before a person can develop a property, they have to have property that can take a septic tank so I think if it can’t take a septic tank, without this waiving of this consent, they would not be able to develop, so this allows them to use pump and haul which means their sewage goes into a tank and it is pumped out regularly, it doesn’t go into the ground because the ground won’t accept it so it’s a work around to be able to build a home when they wouldn’t be able to.

Motion passed unanimously.

If you want to watch this meeting is can be found at the City of Nanaimo, council meeting page.

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2400 people Petition to Save Linley Valley West

2,400 people who signed the petition to help save Linley Valley West as a park are needed now more than ever!

Tonight at the Nanaimo city council meeting, Save Linley Valley West Team members will respond to a city staff report that recommends Nanaimo should not protect Linley Valley West.

At the February 13, 2012 council meeting, council asked Save Linley Valley West Team for information about potential funding sources that could support land acquisition. Save Linley Valley West members presented a plan of action to save the area as a future park February 20, 2012 .

Please come and show your support tonight, February 27, 2012 at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre on Commercial Street starting at 7pm.

Everyone makes a difference check out their facebook page Save Linley Valley West Nanaimo or learn more about Linley Valley.

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Linley Valley West Nature Park Update

The Linley Valley Team has approached Nanaimo City Council to request that the undeveloped lands in west Linley Valley be designated as a nature park.

Currently, the Linley Valley provides habitat for beaver, stickleback fish, red legged frogs, pileated woodpeckers and other flora and fauna.

These lands are approximately 310 acres in size excluding the lands currently under development as a residential subdivision adjacent to Rutherford Road. Some are designated for imminent development while others are identified in the Official Community Plan as “Urban Reserve” and are earmarked for future urban development.

To designate the lands as a nature park and protect them fully from development would likely require that the lands be acquired from the existing owners at market value. The assessed value of the total 310 acres is currently $6.6 million.

Nanaimo Info Blog has reported that the City of Nanaimo has decided instead to spend $16 million dollars on a new building to house 160 staff.

I echo Nanaimo Info Blog’s comment:

Which project would have the greater benefit for the greater good of the community. Protect 310 acres of wilderness, or provide 160 highly paid staffers with shiny new digs??

I know what city council and city staff have already said, so the question is addressed to the rest of Nanaimo residents.

To learn about this area, check out the page “Saving Linley Valley West”

New Linley Valley Team wants your help

How many times have you looked around your city and thought something should be done? How many times have you acted on it?

Joanne is one resident of the City of Nanaimo who has decided to taken action after seeing green parkland in her North Nanaimo neighbourhood being clear-cut.  She understands that development is inevitable but wants people to be aware that there is an alternative approach and important ecological sections should be preserved for future generations.

Joanne has started an awareness campaign and group, “The Linley Valley Team” and would like the citizens of Nanaimo to join in on calling for responsible development of Linley Valley West Side.

For more information visit Saving Linley Valley West.

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