Good Neighbour Bylaw

From "Community Economic Development Plan"

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Good Neighbour Bylaw

There is opportunity to support more people working from home and small home-based businesses, as well as the opportunity to spread small-scale commercial operations throughout our island neighbourhoods. It is essential that this be done in a way that does not negatively impact all that we now value on Bowen – the peace and quiet, the natural environment, and the sense of community in our neighbourhoods. What we most value on Bowen, as defined in our Branding Exercise, must be protected in our neighbourhoods for any economic development plan to succeed.

We need to develop a “Good Neighbour” bylaw/policy (suggested by Richard Helm in the March 22 Council meeting). It would provide a consistent set of protections for all residents of Bowen Island; so that they can live with the confidence that as their neighbours pursue new opportunities, the resulting changes in landuse/zoning/permitting etc. will not negatively impact the experience of Bowen Island for other residents of the neighbourhood.

Rosemary Knight, April 5, 2021

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Posted by:unknown author

5 years ago

@Rosemary Knight @Lisa Barrett @Richard Helm @Susan Alexander @Peter Wing @Brenda McLuhan @Leonard Gilday @Susan Swift @Jennifer Burns Thanks so much for your comments. Did you know we have Focus Group sessions starting next week on five key topics? Health & Wellness - Wed, May 12 at 7:00 pm Food System - Thu, May 13 at 7:00 pm Knowledge Sector - Tue, May 18 at 4:00 pm Strategic Tourism - Wed, May 19 at 1:00 pm Commercial & Industrial - Wed, May 19 at 4:00 pm In these workshops, we will focus on areas of great potential, but we will discuss the cross-cutting priorities as well, and other topics and ideas you've provided. Look under "Events" below for more information on these Focus Groups and to sign up.

Posted by:unknown author

5 years ago

I support this idea. This could for example encourage and enable engaging neighbours and neighborhoods in a healthy dialogue about what is feasible rather than starting with a formal application, thus putting the onus on council to decide what might be good for a neighborhood.

Posted by:unknown author

5 years ago

I like this in principle, but wonder at the range of situations and how to capture this in a way that doesn't re-inforce "NIMBY-ism. For instance, what happens when newcomers, don't like the "rooster" noises and farm smells of their new neighbourhood, but which conditions are allowable in "rural" communities, such as Bowen? I think that it will always be challenging to reconcile the values and lifestyles of neighbors. Hopefully, we will express not only tolerance and respect for what came before and the changes being introduced, but can develop reciprocity and gratitude for our neighbours and what they teach us. Will a bylaw ensure that happens?

Posted by:unknown author

5 years ago

I support Rosemary Knight’s proposal and agree with Richard Helm’s argument.

Posted by:unknown author

5 years ago

I think this is an essential part of ensuring that economic development on Bowen proceeds in a way that is harmonious with existing neighbours and neighbourhoods. Having a GN bylaw will really help to remove the fear that homeowners have regarding the enjoyment of their properties being adversely affected by new Ec Dev proposals. I see no downside to this idea, but I do see a significant upside. Agree 100% with Richard's comments on this.

Posted by:unknown author

5 years ago

I support this suggestion and would be interested to see how it could be implemented in a way that supports innovative ideas while protecting the peaceful island neighbourhood.

Posted by:unknown author

5 years ago

I agree with Richard Helm's ideas and Rosemary Knight's comment.

Posted by:unknown author

5 years ago

A Good Neighbour Policy would provide residents with the confidence of knowing that home-based businesses and/or Temporary Use Permits (TUPs) would not be allowed to interfere with the comfort and enjoyment of our residential homes and properties. With the new OCP amendments by this Council permitting TUP’s in residential areas, we can expect greater tension and conflict between homes and small home-based businesses. We need to address this as we imagine future economic growth in Bowen. The good news of this is that, with the protection such a GN bylaw in place, residents will generally be more welcoming of suitable home based business in residential areas if need be - and there will be many such suitable proposals which will be good for Bowen. Activities unsuitable for residential areas will have to find their way to the industrial/commercial or other suitably areas zoned as such (and discussed elsewhere on Citizenlab). Good Bylaws make good neighbours.

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Posted by:unknown author

5 years ago

I support Rosemary Knight's proposal.

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unknown author on April 6, 2021

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Good Neighbour Bylaw

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