Hornby land analysis to inform March housing discussion
The Local Trust Committee heard how mapping freshwater, environmental and infrastructure data could inform decisions about additional dwelling units and other housing options.
The Denman Firestarter · Governance · 2026-09-18 · Hornby Island
The Hornby Local Trust Committee is scheduled to receive a staff report with recommendations on next steps at its March meeting, after a presentation on the Suitable Land Analysis tool. Trustees are also expected to consider referral responses and Advisory Planning Commission recommendations at that meeting.[1]
The tool is intended to identify areas for additional residential density and support land-use decision-making while considering ecological sensitivity, freshwater sustainability, transportation and infrastructure.[1]
Planners said the data could inform how the committee interprets recommendations about permitting additional dwelling units on small lots across every residential zone on Hornby Island.[1] They also said the data could help identify better places on the island for more people to live while discussions address housing attainable to lower- or middle-income people.[1]
The analysis uses existing maps and spatial information, including layers for marine shore adjacency, sensitive ecosystems, groundwater recharge, groundwater well density, watershed resiliency, saltwater-intrusion risk, road access, steep slopes and geohazards.[1] Each layer was weighted equally, but the committee and community can consider changing the weightings.[1]
The presentation also identified limits to the tool. The minutes say the analysis does not include qualitative, on-the-ground information, and that data availability and accuracy and complex interactions among ecosystems are challenges.[1] The tool is described as a decision-making aid, while communities still need to plan.[1]
The committee heard that K’ómoks First Nation asked to review the data before completing a referral response, and that staff hoped the analysis could eventually be accessed by community members to view a parcel or area and the weighting given to it.[1] The meeting was adjourned at 12:01 p.m.[1]
Sources
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Hornby Island Local Trust Committee Special Meeting Minutes, February 7, 2025
Today’s presentation was to ensure that Trustees have access to the information before the March Local Trust Committee meeting at which staff will provide a report with recommendations regarding next steps
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