Petition Opposing CVRD Bylaw No. 4373 – Official Community Plan

To: Cowichan Valley Regional District Board and Planning Staff
Date: October 20, 2025

We, the undersigned residents and property owners of the Cowichan Valley Regional District respectfully oppose the adoption of Bylaw No. 4373 – the proposed Official Community Plan (OCP) in its current form.

Our opposition is based on significant concerns that the proposed land use policies will:

• Attack affordability by creating restrictive development and land-use limitations that drive up housing and living costs;
• Diminish housing opportunities by limiting options for secondary dwellings, family housing, and innovative rural solutions;
• Reduce investment and development opportunities that create local jobs and support the regional economy;
• Remove generational and legacy planning options for families seeking to retain and responsibly use their property for future generations;
• Impose municipal-style bylaws for tree cutting and wood heating that are inappropriate for rural living, rural lands and private forest properties;
• Increase the tax burden on rural and village residents through added regulation and reduced land use flexibility; and
• Negatively impact rural and village lifestyles that have long defined the character and economy of the Cowichan Valley.

Furthermore, we are deeply concerned that this OCP has been developed using outdated data from public engagement conducted in 2022, engagement based on an earlier version of the plan that did not reflect the full density goals or significant policy changes now included. As a result, the public input collected does not accurately represent the current needs, wishes, and aspirations of the community.

We therefore urge the CVRD Board to defer adoption of Bylaw 4373 until the plan is properly updated and redrafted through transparent, current, and inclusive community engagement, and until policies are amended to better reflect affordability, fairness, sustainable rural living, and local economic opportunity.