May Focus 2022

​Rail with Trail gets Green Light
Two of our loudest requests are being realized through the Rail with Trail project that connects Government Wharf Park to Old Mill Park. This project moves the community towards our goal of getting people off our roads and onto safe walking and biking paths. Support for the project was strong across our schools, local businesses and the greater community, especially village residents. They are all concerned with safety and supporting our local economy and the walkability of our community. I’m so excited for our future as we share our lake in a very special way! I viewed this decision with 3 lenses: environment, economic and social. Environment is protected through the diligent work of qualified environmental professionals, monitoring/mitigation plans and our professional parks staff (who often work in sensitive areas.) Second, I know the community wants to support local business and showcase our area to friends, family and visitors of all abilities. And thirdly, the pandemic showed us that we valued walking and being outdoors more than ever. We can now connect safely right beside our gem Shawnigan Lake as we walk/bike from Mason’s to Old Mill Park. Congratulations community! 


There is no place like home
Shawnigan Lake is home to many diverse groups and perspectives with many different values, all valid and all important. Where do we meet in regards to environment, economic and social issues? Through the CVRD’s Harmonized Official Community Plan and Modernization we can design our future for how we want to live, work and play. I have learned if we give lots of input we have better outcomes for our community and more strength at the CVRD Board table. I hope you will participate.


Overview;
The Official Community Plan (OCP) for the Electoral Areas is being updated to envision a resilient future and to provide strategic land use policy for the nine electoral areas. Policies are being updated to plan for some of the most pressing questions the CVRD faces today, such as: How can we accommodate new housing? How can we ensure safe access to drinking water for current and future residents? How can we grow our local economy? How can we respond to climate change? 
Area plans are the places in the OCP where area-specific policies emerge to capture and enhance the unique identities and characters of each community. Policies within the area plans will include: public realm policies, density for housing, identification of lands for future housing and area-specific design guidelines.
There are Four different ways to participate in May. Two virtual (CVRD led) and two in person sessions (Hosted by myself);


CVRD Online:

• Local Area Plans for A/B/C May 14th 10am-noon and Local Area Plans B/E Tues. May 18th 6pm-8pm for more details visit www.planyourcowichan.ca or email communitycircles@cvrd.bc.ca
  

In Person:

• In person Hosted by myself 
  
• Thurs. May 26th 5:30pm- 6:30pm at the Shawnigan Lake Community Centre
  
• Wed. June 1st 8:30am-9:30am at the Shawnigan Lake Community Centre
  
• Facebook Page @AreaDirectorAreaB for ongoing events and RSVP
  

Just come ready to connect with your fellow Shawnigan residents and discuss our future. Go to https://bit.ly/3kpVniv for introduction video. I am also happy to help neighbourhoods host a Community Circle on any of the eight topics, please let me know. Sierra.acton@cvrd.bc.ca


Mark your calendar and dust off your business cards!
The Shawnigan Lake Community Association is hosting a meet and mingle for all local business owners (home based or brick and mortar) and associations.

SAVE THE DATE: Wednesday, June 8th from 5-7

Go to: ShawniganLakeCommunityAssociation.ca for more details