Galiano hearing draws support and objections to Crystal Mountain rezoning
At a May 6 public hearing, speakers differed over proposed bylaws 256 and 257, raising questions about forest protection, water and consultation with Penelakut.
The Denman Firestarter · Governance · 2023-05-06 · updated 2026-10-01 · Galiano Island
The proposals would amend Galiano’s official community plan and zoning bylaws for the Crystal Mountain application; the public hearing record does not state what happens next. The record says 86 submissions were received and approximately 90 members of the public attended. [1]
Speakers who supported moving the application forward cited community benefits, education and environmental protection. Colleen Doty said she supported the proposed bylaws, while Emma Davis said Crystal Mountain’s programming benefits the community and creates jobs. [1]
Other speakers opposed or questioned the proposal, citing concerns about forest fragmentation, groundwater and whether the development fits the official community plan. Sheila Anderson asked the committee to consider whether the proposal achieves minimal forest fragmentation, and Anthony Peirce said he did not believe enough groundwater testing had been done. [1]
Consultation with Penelakut was another point of disagreement. Suzanne Fournier read a statement attributed to Penelakut Counsellor Ken Thomas saying Penelakut did not receive notice of the hearing and that its leadership did not support the proposal given the lack of consultation. Jane Wolverton said Crystal Mountain had reached out to the tribe over the past three years. [1]
The hearing record says Chair Tim Peterson closed the public hearing at 3:43 p.m. and explained that the committee could not hear new information about the application after the hearing. [1]
Sources
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Galiano Island Local Trust Committee Public Hearing Record, May 6, 2023
There were 86 submissions received.
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