Erin Haluschak
Record staff
Comox council gave the green light for the next step in the process to allow a community garden near Comox Pentecostal Church.
Last July, Erin Gregory and Esther Stubbs asked council to consider the garden near the northwest corner of the property - approximately 30 x 170 feet - along with a reimbursement of the cost of a development variance permit, and a reduction in setback and screening requirements.
At Wednesday’s meeting, council gave first and second reading to amend Comox Zoning Amendment Bylaw 1832.
Stubbs explained earlier they hope the garden could be operational by April, and it would be open to the entire community, with individual allotments, as well as a community plot with food which could be donated to the food bank.
A public hearing will be scheduled at council chambers.
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A change is coming for development cost charges (DCCs) in the Town of Comox.
Council approved first, second and third readings Wednesday for a reduction in some DCCs to single family residential (-41 per cent); multi-family residential (-44 per cent); congregate care (-30 per cent) and industrial land-uses (-71 per cent).
The motion includes an increase for commercial (69 per cent) and institutional land-use categories (74 per cent) in response to the increase in road infrastructure works.
For commercial properties, lower road DCCs have been reduced by -11 per cent for those within the downtown vitalization area to reflect reduced vehicle use and more reliance on public transportation, electric scooters, cycling and walking, explained Richard Kanigan, the town’s chief administrative officer.
Coun. Ken Grant called the reduction in the downtown area “a really good step for us.”
Mayor Paul Ives said adoption of the new fee schedule can be as early as April.