1995
Galiano’s Official Community Plan, completed in 1995, indicates strong community intention for creating affordable housing and makes specific provision for the consideration of higher density housing towards that end. The 2005 establishment of the Community Forest Covenant anticipated and permitted the creation of affordable housing. A small portion of the land was dedicated for Affordable Housing at such time that a viable organization was able to proceed with it.
2008
In 2008, the Forest Management Plan, approved by the Galiano Club membership and the covenant holders of the Community Forest, identified a 17 acre area within the Heritage Forest as the Affordable Housing Zone in which a 5 acre parcel could be developed for future affordable housing.
2018
In 2018, GIGARHS began working with the Galiano Club and the two parties entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to explore how to rezone and subdivide the Georgia View property for development into an affordable housing project. The existing 2 ha site was chosen after careful and repeated assessment of the area by a recognized local environmental expert using best practices.
The Affordable Housing Zone meets the following criteria:
- Access: must have frontage on Public Road Dedication
- Minimize forest fragmentation
- Minimize impact on protected ecology
- Adjacent to existing rural residential areas and related services, (hydro, phone, etc)
APRIL, 2019
In April of 2019, GIGARHS made an offer to the Galiano Club to purchase two hectares of land located in the portion of the Community Forest designated as an Affordable Housing zone. A revised offer was signed on November 6, 2020.
SEPTEMBER, 2019
In September of 2019, GIGARHS, acting as agent for the Galiano Club, submitted an application for rezoning of the site to allow for up to 12 affordable and secure homes. The housing development would be managed by GIGARHS under a formal housing agreement.
AUGUST, 2020
In August 2020, the Galiano Club presented the findings of their 10-year Forest Management Plan Review. They held two site visits, the first for neighbours and the second for all community members. Unable to host a public information session at the South End Hall, due to covid restrictions, they provided information and took questions at the Saturday Market on three different dates.
SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER, 2020
Due to covid restrictions, GIGARHS had a table at the Saturday Market for five consecutive weeks to increase public awareness, provide information, answer questions, hear concerns and register new members.
NOVEMBER, 2020
In November 2020, at their AGM, The Galiano Club membership voted overwhelmingly in favour of adopting the Revised Community Forest Management Plan. The Review addressed all zones including:
- The Protected Stand Network
- The Sustainable Forestry Zone
- The Community Park and Shore Access Zone
- The Hydro Transmission Line Zone
- The Affordable Housing Zone
If our rezoning is approved by the Islands Trust, the Galiano Club has agreed to provide the land for a nominal $10.
NOVEMBER, 2020
Community Information Meeting
Hosted by the LTC, GIGARHS presented its rezoning application and answered questions from the community.
NOVEMBER, 2020 - FEBRUARY, 2021
GIGARHS produced the following reports and submitted them to the LTC:
- Ecological Impact Assessment
- Wastewater Management Report
- Water Management Report
- FireSmart Safety Plan
- Draft Housing Agreement
MARCH, 2021
GIGARHS received First Reading by the LTC.
SEPTEMBER, 2021
Water license issued by the Province.
JULY, 2022
GIGARHS’s second Community Information Meeting, hosted by the LTC
JULY, 2022
Public Hearing
Approximately 170 letters of support were received by the LTC.
Second and Third Readings given.
OCTOBER, 2022
Ministerial Approval of GIGARHS’s OCP Bylaw amendment
DECEMBER, 2022
The LTC gave Fourth and final Reading, the last step in rezoning.
