Thetis Island Sustainablity Guide

Thetis Island Sustainability Guide What is the Sustainability Guide? Who should use the Guide? The Sustainability Guide suggests ways to All current and prospective Thetis Island land- make your residential construction project owners who are preparing to build a new more environmentally friendly, reduce its im- house, a cottage, or an accessory building, or pact on Thetis Island’s natural ecosystems planning to remodel, renovate or retrofit an and save you money in the long term. It also existing dwelling. Someone planning driveway includes information about financial incen- construction or re-routing will also benefit tives and other resources that can help you from this guide. achieve these goals. The Guide is primarily a guidance document to be used as you pre- pare to build on your property. It can also be When should I use the Guide? used to provide add additional information in Whether you are applying for a building per- an application to the Islands Trust, such as re- mit with the CVRD or a rezoning, develop- zoning, development permit, or variance ment permit or variance with Islands Trust, (consult with a planner). the earlier you consult the Guide, the easier it will be to include its ideas in your project. Re- view the Guide with your architect, designer Why on Thetis Island? and contractor. Consulting the Guide after Thetis Island is part of the Islands Trust, which the working drawings are finished may result has a mandate to preserve and protect the in lost opportunities and additional costs if Islands Trust area’s unique environment. Both you decide to make last-minute changes. the Islands Trust and the Cowichan Valley Re- gional District (CVRD) have signed the provincial government’s Climate Action Charter, The Guide has two parts: which requires communities to reduce green- Part A: Location and Siting Design...page 3 house gas emissions. One way to do this is Part B: Building Design and through adopting a more sustainable ap- Construction…page 8 proach to land development and construction. Initiatives you take at the planning stag- es of your building project can dramatically reduce any negative impacts and help to create a truly sustainable community. 1 | P a g e Thetis Island Sustainability Guide Part A: Location and Siting Design Ecosystem Approach to Site Planning: Know the land (Official Community Plan (OCP) Section 4 Natural and Heritage Ecology Tips Resources Objectives and Policies, Section 6 Development Per- mits, and Schedule F - Sensitive Ecosystem Mapping) Plan ahead: walk the land with your contractor and a local biologist to find environmental 1. Identify areas with environmental and benefits and cost savings. archaeological values, including habitat Certain types of First Nations sites are protected for threatened or endangered species under federal and provincial law and must not and First Nations sites, before planning be disturbed. Avoid the accidental destruction access, site clearing and design. of an ancient site and costly delays and fines by walking the land with an archaeologist be- 2. Locate development — your driveway, fore work begins. septic system, house and outbuildings — away from areas with high environ- A small patch of skunk cabbage or bulrushes in an otherwise dry environment indicates a mini- mental values such as shorelines, wetland —an important habitat for amphibi- streams, rare plants, and wildlife trees. ans and birds. Clustering buildings and plan- Place natural buffers between the de- ning short driveways helps the environment velopment, sensitive features and and saves money. neighbours. Conservation covenants and the Natural Area Pro- 3. Cluster development in one area of the tection Tax Exemption Program (NAPTEP) are registered on title and protect the special as- property to minimize site disturbance. pects of the land that you wish to preserve. 4. Consider granting a covenant or the They can also give you significant tax benefits. Natural Area Protection Tax Exemption Program (NAPTEP) for your property to Development proposals consistent with the Thetis protect ecological values in perpetuity. Island Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 88 (OCP) and the Thetis Island Land Use Bylaw No. 89 (LUB) are supported. 2 | P a g e Tree Removal: Think Twice Before You Cut (OCP Schedule F - Sensitive Ecosystem Mapping) Tree Tips 1. Minimize tree cutting and soil disturb- Very few old growth cedar or fir remain on Thetis ance. Our Island’s trees and soils have Island. The dominant coastal Douglas-fir eco- ecological value and represent im- systems on Thetis are very rare in the rest of portant carbon sinks, critical in address- the province. The island’s Garry oak meadows ing climate change. When land is are a rare subset of these shrinking ecosys- cleared for development, its ability to tems. These trees have both heritage and ecological value. hold on to carbon and keep it out of the Standing dead trees provide important wildlife atmosphere is lost. habitat; leave them standing unless they pose 2. Check for eagle or heron nests on your a hazard. Topping is better than felling. property. These are provincially pro- You can create views by limbing taller trees instead of removing them. If you feel trees on tected and the Thetis Island Land Use your property must be removed to open up a Bylaw No. 89 requires a 100 metre un- view, cut trees selectively to create a views- disturbed buffer around trees contain- cape framed by trees. Consider planting and ing eagle, osprey or heron nests. replacing trees. Consult an Islands Trust planner before removing 3. Retain and protect significant trees such trees and vegetation. Special restrictions may as Garry oaks and older growth Douglas apply to tree removal in Development Permit -fir and cedar. Areas. Photo credit: for.gov.bc.ca 3 | P a g e Water Management: Fresh Water is a pumphouse may be constructed within Precious Resource 30.5 metres of the natural boundary of (OCP Section 3 Services Objectives and Policies, Section 4 Natu- any watercourse or source of water sup- ral and Heritage Resources Objectives and Policies, Land Use ply (see the Coastal Waterfront section Bylaw Section 2) on a later page for setbacks to the sea). Depending on the location of a proper- 1. Is your property located within a com- ty, livestock grazing and solid waste dis- munity water system’s well capture posal may also be prohibited in areas zone as defined in the OCP? If so, you designated “Water Resources Areas” in need to ensure the drinking water sup- the OCP. ply is not contaminated by malfunction- ing septic systems, phosphorus release Water Management Tips from soil disturbance, runoff and ero- Thetis Island typically has wet winters and dry sion, and fuel and chemical spills. De- summers. Good water management involves sign your project to minimize risks to retaining the winter rains to recharge ground- water supplies. water supplies and ponds. Forested slopes, fractured bedrock, and deep organic soils 2. Plan to protect trees and vegetation hold moisture. Bare rock and pavement do if your property has a stream or wet- not. Ensure sufficient topsoil remains on the land. property and that soil is not left compacted after construction. 3. Store rainwater on site by con- structing a cistern, tank, pond or Removing trees can result in increased runoff and wetland. stormwater damage to properties below. Landowners can be liable for damages caused 4. Observe the way water flows over your to a neighbour’s property. Plan stormwater property and design your landscaping retention ponds, drainage swales and wet- and development in response. lands to retain stormwater on site, and main- tain existing drainage patterns. 5. No buildings other than a boathouse or Photo credit: Peter Luckham 4 | P a g e Landscaping: Go Native, Avoid Turf 1. Landscape with native, drought hardy Ecological Landscaping Tips vegetation rather than lawns and wa- Avoid non-native plants that spread into and alter ter demanding ornamentals. Plant our natural ecosystems. The highly invasive more and often! Scotch broom originated from three seeds brought from Scotland a century ago. 2. Minimize impervious surfaces and plan to use permeable paving rather If turf is to be installed, reduce area as much as than conventional asphalt or con- possible. Instead of turf grass, consider using crete. drought resistant grass as ground cover. 3. Avoid the use of synthetic pesticides Pesticides and chemical fertilizers decrease the and fertilizers. biological diversity of the soil and are counter- productive to a healthy landscape. Many 4. Plan to control invasive species such plant “pest” problems can be addressed by as Scotch broom, holly, English Ivy, feeding the soil with organic material such as Himalayan and evergreen blackberry compost. that may be growing on your proper- Growing organic food (or buying local organic ty. food) is one of the best ways to reduce carbon emissions, as well as increasing self- 5. Plan an organic fruit and vegetable gar- sufficiency. den. Photo credit: conservancy.bc.ca 5 | P a g e Coastal Waterfront: Be a Shore Steward with shoreline stabilization and conserv- (OCP Section 4.1 & Schedule H; Land Use Bylaw Section 2) ing wildlife habitat. 1. No buildings other than a boathouse Coastal Waterfront Tips or pumphouse may be constructed Know your property boundaries ahead of time, within 7.6 metres of the natural including the high water mark (or legal boundary of the sea. Locate buildings “natural boundary”). Ocean frontage may have changed since the site was subdivided or and structures well away from the last surveyed. You may need to consult with a shoreline to minimize interference BC Land Surveyor. with the shore and the threat of shore line forces. If planning a dock or other marine structure, avoid areas of high biological productivity 2.

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