Mayne housing workshop outlines zoning and funding work

The October 28 workshop covered possible zoning changes, a regional housing program and support for non-profit housing projects.

The Mayne Firestarter · Governance · 2024-10-28 · updated 2026-09-28 · Mayne Island

The Mayne Island Local Trust Committee’s housing action plan includes work to expand flexible housing beyond a pilot area and consider allowing additional dwelling units on smaller lots, Island Planner Narissa Chadwick told a community workshop. She said suitable-land mapping considers environmental sensitivity, water availability and steep slopes.^[1]

Chadwick said the plan also looks at expanding permissions for secondary suites, rezoning for non-market housing and modular home villages, and increasing opportunities for non-profit housing societies.^[1]

Justine Starke, the Capital Regional District’s manager of Southern Gulf Islands service delivery, described a proposed rural housing program pilot for 2025 and 2026. She said it would fund a coordinator to help groups navigate government agencies and housing development, and support advocacy on changes needed from the province.^[1]

Starke said the CRD was developing an accessory dwelling unit incentive program, subject to a pending budget decision, and planned funding for non-profit groups’ pre-development and infrastructure costs.^[1]

The minutes record workshop comments that there had been no uptake in building additional units or secondary suites, citing increased costs associated with building-code standards, provincial incentives’ rental requirements and the owner-builder course requirement.^[1]

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