Keats shoreline bylaws draw questions at Gambier meeting

Residents asked about dock setbacks, septic permits and First Nations consultation during a July 21 information meeting on proposed shoreline rules.

The Gambier Firestarter · Governance · 2023-07-21 · updated 2026-10-17 · Gambier Island

The proposed Keats Island rules would require a development permit for applicable work within a new shoreline permit area, which would extend 15 metres inland and 100 metres seaward from the natural boundary of the sea, Island Planner Marlis McCargar said in her presentation.^[1]

The minutes say the proposed changes include increasing the distance between docks from five metres to 10 metres and changing the setback for private floats and docks from three metres to five metres from projected lot lines.^[1] In response to questions about difficult shoreline conditions, McCargar said a property owner could apply for a development variance permit.^[1]

Residents also asked whether septic upgrades within the permit area would require a development permit as well as approval from Vancouver Coastal Health. The minutes record staff saying that work within 15 metres of the natural boundary could require a permit, with health-authority approval included in the application documents.^[1] The minutes also record that the Local Trust Committee could consider reducing or waiving fees for septic replacements or upgrades.^[1]

On consultation, the minutes record staff saying there had not been a resolution with Squamish Nation, which was concerned about retaining a 7.5-metre building setback.^[1] The minutes say staff had worked to consult and that the Nation had to prioritize its staff workload and decision-making process.^[1]

The minutes say there had been no amendments to the proposed bylaws since the previous community information meeting, and that Chair Peter Luckham said the committee would discuss the meeting’s comments with staff.^[1]

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