Title
Islands Trust Draft Policy Statement
Recommendation
[At the February 12, 2026 Salt Spring Island Local Community Commission meeting, this report was presented for information and the following motion arising was carried:]
The Salt Spring Island Local Community Commission requests the Capital Regional District Board convey to Islands Trust Council the following recommendations to proposed Bylaw No.183, Islands Trust Policy Statement:
1. That the policy statement makes more explicit the essential role of draft policy 3.4.9. Existing Development Potential in reducing the potential for subdivision and development in more isolated and rural areas of the Islands, thereby enabling the redirection of future development away from those areas and towards existing/urban areas. We also recommend that this policy be made a directive policy
2. Where appropriate, Island Trust should ensure Island Trust policies include “collaboration with other agencies required to achieve policy goals”. Eg. Waste water, roads, recreation, street lighting, active transportation.
3. Regarding policy 2.3.4. add “and policies” at the end of the statement.
4. Regarding policy 3.4.11. add the words “including affordable housing” to the end of the statement.
5. In the glossary, define affordable and attainable housing.
6. That draft policy 3.5.11. Protection of Agricultural Lands be revised to read: “Identify and protect lands within the agricultural land reserve and other agricultural lands as defined by the BC ministry of Agriculture for current and future use for agriculture.”
(NWA)