Scott Stanfield
Record staff
The K’ómoks First Nation has applied for a bylaw amendment that would enable the City of Courtenay to extend sewer and water services to Puntledge Indian Reserve No. 2.
The site contains the Puntledge RV Campground and 40 hectares of developable land. The rest of the land is on a floodplain.
“We need water and sewer to make that a bigger venture,” Chief Rob Everson said at a public hearing Monday at Courtenay council. “I think the K’ómoks First Nation has been a big part of the community.”
Last year, the two parties reached an Agreement in Principle for the provision of water and sanitary sewer services to KFN property on Condensory Road. If approved by council, the agreement would allow the KFN to expand the campground and to consider other economic development opportunities. The band would reimburse the City for capital costs incurred.
Everson said additional sites at the campground would benefit downtown Courtenay in terms of foot traffic.
Area C (Puntledge-Black Creek) resident Grant Gordon has a problem with setting a precedent if the City extends services without annexation.
“I don’t believe you can do it,” Gordon told council. “I want you to be extremely careful.”
“I believe it’s important that no precedents should arise from this,” added Diane Bostock, who also resides in Area C. “Once the service comes over the river, it should stop there.”
The City says the agreement is not a precedent for providing municipal services to other rural areas beyond its boundary.
The regional district water committee and the sewage commission need to consider the AIP, while the provincial government must approve use of the Condensory Bridge to carry the infrastructure for the services.
Council will consider third reading of the proposal at a future meeting.