Gambier LTC Special Meeting Minutes

Extracted text (beginning)

ADOPTED
 
Gambier Island ADOPTED 1 
Local Trust Committee Special Meeting Minutes 
January 9, 2024 
 
Gambier Island Local Trust Committee 
Minutes of Special Meeting 
 
Date:  
Location:  
January 9, 2024 
Electronic Meeting 
 
Members Present: Peter Luckham, Chair 
 Kate-Louise Stamford, Trustee 
 Joe Bernardo, Trustee 
  
Staff Present: Renée Jamurat, Regional Planning Manager 
 Marlis McCargar, Island Planner 
 Diane Corbett, Recorder 
  
Others Present: There were approximately two (2) members of the public in attendance. 
 
1. CALL TO ORDER 
Chair Luckham called the meeting to order at 10:00 am. He acknowledged that the meeting was 
held on the territory of the Coast Salish First Nations. Trustees gave introductory comments. 
Staff and the Recorder were introduced. 
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 
By general consent the agenda was approved as presented. 
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS 
A member of the public asked that the Chair clarify regarding their concerns expressed at the 
previous meeting on expediting the Keats Island zoning bylaw amendment. 
The member of the public noted the ecological and environmental impacts of the fibre optic 
cable, toxic in its mode of production, and stated it should be acknowledged that this is another 
example of the process of colonization, and that these decisions regarding the fibre optic cable 
should be made with humility.  
4. BUSINESS ITEMS 
4.1 Keats Island Marine General Zone Amendment 
Island Planner McCargar discussed the staff report on the Keats Island Marine General 
Zone Amendment – Draft Bylaw No. 158, to permit the establishment and use of 
telecommunication utilities in the Marine General (MG) zone. The Local Trust 
Committee (LTC) was asked for input regarding the wording in the draft bylaw and if the 
LTC wished to undertake consultation. No planning analysis had been conducted. If the 
LTC wanted to meet the Connected Coast deadline of March 2024, an expedited 
approval process would be required. 

ADOPTED
 
Gambier Island ADOPTED 2 
Local Trust Committee Special Meeting Minutes 
January 9, 2024 
One item of correspondence had been received from the public, with a concern that this 
could permit cellphone towers. 
Connected Coast did not plan to submit an application for a zoning amendment as the 
LTC was proceeding with this amendment. The Island Planner indicated the earliest 
possible timeline for completion of this process would likely be three up to six months. 
Trustee Bernardo noted: the contrast between following the usual process, as suggested 
by staff, and one following an expedited timeline; the urgency of the situation to enable 
people on Keats access to broadband and the Connected Coast project, which goes up 
and down the Coast and Vancouver Island; there is nothing about the amendment that 
would result in a cell tower put in on the sea bottom. 
Points and questions from further discussion included: 
 The LTC does not have the reporting that would come with an application or 
analysis. D

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