This week the CVRD held three public open houses for its long awaited draft of the Regional Growth Strategy and proposed changes to Bylaw 120.  

Click here to go to the District’s Growth Strategies.

Major trend in this report:

“1. The Comox Valley is a growing region. The population may increase by almost 50% over the next 20 years as approximately 25,000 more people and 10,000 more housing units are added to the Valley.  

While the existing settlement pattern is still relatively compact and the overall housing stock diverse, the more recent trend is towards a more dispersed settlement pattern made up of mostly low-density housing forms.  

Continuation of this trend would result in significant urban and rural sprawl, creating stress on the Valley’s natural areas and ecological functions, increasing reliance on automobile travel and impacting the character and livability of the region’s rural and urban communities.  

Development must be directed in a manner that creates a sustainable long-term development pattern that uses both land and infrastructure in the most efficient manner.” Click here to read more…. 

How does this Growth Strategy affect MSGE?

The good news is that the RD’s focus on maintaining a balance between sustainable rural / urban development means that the Forbidden Plateau area will continue to be protected for its natural habitat, unique ecosystem and rural lifestyle. 

Growth Management Principles

1. Protect key natural and ecological features throughout the Comox Valley.

2. Take actions to address public health and environmental issues as they are identified and, where possible, before they arise. 3. Recognize the distinctiveness of existing communities and ensure the needs of both urban and rural areas are met.

This blog started midway into our property development – as a journal on:

·         the merits of rural living

·         new initiatives in rural sustainable development

·         how to build community

·         and our own progress through the property development maze.

It is exciting to the see the concepts of rural development take hold. Whether you are looking for a mountain living lifestyle, agricultural, or ocean side environment, Vancouver Island has now much to offer.

Since our launch in late 2008, we had what appeared to be a major economic meltdown. However during 2009 we have seen a slow climb back up to some form of economic recovery.

On Vancouver Island, the Comox Valley faired reasonably well in 2009 for single family home sales, and according to The Canadian Real Estate Association, sales activity reached the highest level ever for the month of October.  

Our MSGE property development is small by most standards – limited to 5 lots on a cul-de-sac off the only road leading to top of Forbidden Plateau. With 2010 around the corner, and the Winter Olympics only a few kilometers away, much of the world will be focused on what is happening here on the west coast and what we have to offer……

·         a healthy, outdoor lifestyle

·         strong community values

·         support for innovative and green building ideas

·         small town atmosphere – only an hour or so from big city amenities

Another potential rural sustainable property development is Gowlland Harbour Views on Quadra Island. As proposed ocean side community bordering on parks and the Georgia Strait, Dan Bowen, our MSGE project manager, who continues to build on his expertise, is assisting property owner Richard Schellinck with this exciting new project.

Sharing space with the local wildlife.

Here are photos of wildlife seen on the Forbidden Plateau jobsite.

When working on rural developments that are larger acreages the natural movement of animals and birds should be considered. While working on this development I was pleased to see lots of wildlife. here are a few. Our preservation of over 25 acres of forest and watershed allows the uninterrupted movement of wildlife and sets up a permanent wildlife corridor that is significant. 

Catherine and I both support this action and encourage future owners to respect this philosophy. ~ Dan Bowen

We have posted here a copy of our Storm Water Management Plan.       swm-study.pdf

We used natural fir bark mulch on all the paths. The bark mulch eventually bio-degrades to form solid soil path, and helps with the absorption of rain fall, slows down the flow water, to allow for ground infiltration.

On the left is an example of a bark mulch path around Cedar Circle bordering on Lots 3 and 4. This outdoor space provides a natural sitting area and meeting place for residents while hiking their own interconnecting the trails.

 MSGE project manager, Dan Bowen, points out the vegetative bio-swale within the ditch/drainage system that detains the drainage, as well as allows for any silt to settle.

Areas exposed to soils have been contained with hay bales to help prevent downstream siltation issues. Hay bales provide vegetative mat for future hydra seeding.

  Mountain Spirit Garden Estates’ is guided by active green principles which have resulted in:

1)      A 10 acre dedicated public park area, with protective environmental covenants covering 40% of the individual lots.

2)      A network of private trails connecting individual lots, for low impact recreational activities (hiking, cross country skiing), and providing neighbourhood outdoor spaces.

3)      Environmentally friendly storm water management system.

4)      Supporting the implementation of Type III+ Vegetative Tertiary Filter system for onsite wastewater (the development is approved for Type II system).

5)      Energy efficient and environmentally friendly building and landscape guidelines.

September 26^th was a momentous day for us, it was the day we received news from the BC Lands Title Office of the official registration of our individual lots.

For anyone who has gone through all the regulatory hoops it takes to get a property development to this stage – especially a rural property in a sensitive habitat area, can probably understand our angst, our sigh of relief, and finally - now our excitement and pride in what has actually been accomplished.

Thinking green - and wanting to develop in as environmentally sustainable way as possible, while working within the many existing bureaucratic layers and regulations, and within a tight budget and timeframe can be quite a challenge – and not all necessarily mutually inclusive.

However, both public and private initiatives are now driving the need for more “green” resources and expertise, as I have discovered, when it comes to developing rural properties.

We were very fortunate to be able to pull together the needed expertise for this project, and I found the Regional District supportive of our vision. I have included some links to Green building/development sites on our Project Design Page. One link in particular that was very informative was the new Green Bylaws Tools Kit.

We continue to be on the lookout for new information…. So feel free to post what you know.

One of the goals of this blog is to highlight the journey that has taken us to this major milestone – the evolution of Mountain Spirit Garden Estates. And for anyone who is looking to live their dream in creating their own private retreat, my journey so far has rewarded me with a great many adventures, and a few lessons learned along the way.I look forward to sharing this journey with you as I reflect back on the past 15 months and beyond – and remember why I’m here.  Catherine