Clarification re: CVRD Telecommunications Antenna Structure Policy

Good afternoon, Thetis Island residents,

This message is in regards to the email we sent yesterday afternoon regarding the CVRD Telecommunications Antenna Structure Policy that will be going before the CVRD’s Committee of the Whole.

It has been brought to our attention that this policy is not relevant to Thetis Island, since land use on the island is under the jurisdiction of Islands Trust. When a cell tower is proposed for Thetis Island, it is Islands Trust who receives and considers the request, and not the CVRD. Furthermore, Islands Trust already has an antenna systems strategy in place, which you will find here: https://islandstrust.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/model-strategy-for-antenna-systems.pdf

We apologize for the misunderstanding. Please contact us with any questions you may have.

Kind regards,
Economic Development Cowichan
Strategic Services Department
Cowichan Valley Regional District
135 Third Street, Duncan, BC  V9L 1R9
email: edc@cvrd.bc.ca
Tel: 250.746.7880 / Toll Free: 1.866.746.2508 / Fax: 250.746.7801
www.cvrd.ca | www.ecdevcowichan.com

Fire Weather Forecast

Several people have asked about timing for getting out of EXTREME fire hazard.  The short-term forecast is not looking good for rain but there is more hope towards the end of next week.  

OUTLOOK: An upper low and associated trough will cross the South Coast on Wednesday producing cloudy skies, a noticeable drop in temperatures and scattered rain showers. The highest chances of showers are along the west side of the Island and over the North Island zone. Probabilities and rainfall amounts decrease eastwards with the southern portion of the Island and mainland likely to only see trace amounts if at all. The lower temperatures and increased RH will help to slow fire behavior. A ridge builds back Thursday and Friday marking a return to warm, dry conditions. A brief period of northwesterly winds Thursday afternoon will likely yield the best venting window of the week. Fog will be likely Thursday morning.

6 TO 10 DAY: The next ridge of high pressure looks to persist into early next week and possibly longer resulting in steady or climbing fire weather indices. A cooler and showery pattern appears towards the end of next week however any signal for a season-ending rainfall remains elusive.

Fire Chief J. Caldbeck

Thetis Island Vol. Fire Dept 

Knitting Craft Bee

Morning all you Knitters and Crafters, 

Our Friday afternoon get-togethers are starting up again at the Community Centre. We look forward to seeing you all again this Fall with your projects. 

Please join us whether you have a craft or not, come have a cup of tea or coffee and treat, and enjoy the chat and company. 

The date is Friday 14th October, 2 until 4, October thru April everyone welcome.  

For more info please call or email 250-246-2469 sdrib@telus.net 

cheers.

Helen

From the TICA Library

New to the collection.

Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver fiction
Martin Clunes Islands of Australia dvd
The Wayfinders by Wade Davis “why ancient wisdom matters in the modern world”
Non-fiction 303
Paddling to Where I Stand edited by Martine Reid biography of Kwakiutl elder
Agnes Alfred non-fiction. 971 Canadian history
To Kill A Troubadour by Martin Walker fiction Bruno series
Matrix by Lauren Groff fiction

Enjoy your island library.

Celine

RV for Sale

I will not advertise this beautiful Amish constructed RV elsewhere until October 10th, giving you folks first dibs. 

Reach David for more information at: littleislander@protonmail.com or text 250.210.4745

Complete Solar Systems for Sale

We will work with you on customizing the number of solar panels and LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate chemistry) batteries, no sulphuric acid, no corrosive formation around the terminals, no venting requirements, no water to add, ever, can be mounted any way you like and only weigh 35% or so of a golf cart battery, sweet! 

The panels include a 30-year functional warranty of 80% plus capacity prorated at year 10. You must leave the programming alone to keep the warranty valid and frankly there is no benefit changing it. Batteries include a 10-year functional replacement warranty prorated.

Reach David for more information at: littleislander@protonmail.com or text 250.210.4745

TIME SENSITIVE: CVRD Cellular Antenna Structure Policy Meeting

TIME SENSITIVE:

If anyone would like to comment publicly during tomorrow morning’s virtual CVRD meeting on their Cellular Antenna Structure Policy, we have until 12 pm today to email them to request a link, so that we may speak during the public input period of the meeting. Please see the details below.

Good afternoon,

Thank you for your interest and participation in the Cowichan Internet and Cellular Connectivity Strategy project. Through our engagements, we’ve heard that many of you are interested in the topic of cellular coverage and cell towers. This email is to inform you that the CVRD’s Committee of the Whole will consider a draft CVRD Telecommunications Antenna Structure Policy (AKA cell tower siting policy) at their meeting this Wednesday, September 28 at 9:30am. If adopted, the policy will influence how cellular coverage and cell towers are handled by the CVRD Board.

As Cowichan grows, demand for wireless services increases. The telecommunications industry looks to provide adequate coverage and capacity to meet those demands by building more infrastructure, including Telecommunications Antenna Structures (TAS) like cell phone towers. The CVRD’s draft policy was created to clarify the Board’s involvement in TAS, as well as requirements for community consultation, siting and design that applicants must meet in order to obtain a Letter of Concurrence from the CVRD Board. Note: this policy only covers TAS proposed for CVRD Electoral Areas; most municipalities have their own policies.

The proposed policy and supporting documents can be downloaded here: 

Staff report: https://cvrd.primegov.com/meeting/attachment/14006.pdf?name=2022-09-28%20COTW%20RPT%20Telecom%20Antenna%20Structure%20Policy

Draft policy: https://cvrd.primegov.com/meeting/attachment/14007.pdf?name=2022-09-28%20Att%20A%20COTW%20RPT%20Telecom%20Antenna%20Structure%20Policy

Cell tower clusters map: https://cvrd.primegov.com/meeting/attachment/14008.pdf?name=2022-09-28%20Att%20B%20COTW%20Cell%20Tower%20Clusters%20Map

Meeting agenda: https://cvrd.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=3389&compileOutputType=1

There are a few ways you can provide input on the draft policy before it is considered by the Committee. You can contact your elected Board representative using the information on this page: https://www.cvrd.ca/228/Board-of-Directors. You may also provide your comments during Public Input Period by attending the committee meeting either in person or virtually. To request the virtual link for Public Input Period, email legislativeservices@cvrd.bc.ca by noon tomorrow (Tuesday at 12pm). Each speaker is allotted 3 minutes for their comments.

We appreciate your involvement in the important topic of connectivity.

Regards,

Economic Development Cowichan

Strategic Services Department

Cowichan Valley Regional District

135 Third Street, Duncan, BC  V9L 1R9

email: edc@cvrd.bc.ca

Tel: 250.746.7880 / Toll Free: 1.866.746.2508 / Fax: 250.746.7801

www.cvrd.ca | www.ecdevcowichan.com

Wandering Dog at Ferry

Hi everyone; just spotted a small white dog wandering about the ferry terminal/Capernwray while waiting for the 9:15 boat. 

Hope they get home safe! 

Aislinn

Ukulele Group

We are meeting tonight, Sept. 27, at 7:00 pm at the Hall. Last week, the three of us, Nan, Greta and I (Ken) decided to meet weekly instead of the every-second week method. It was felt that ukulele progress would be better with the  weekly practices. 

Last week we began working on White Sandy Beach and Marianne. Both use the chords C, G7 and F. 

Hope to see a few more friends of the ukulele tonight.

Cheers,

Ken R

Ping Pong

Come play ping pong, fun for anyone, Tuesday evenings at 7 pm

Mary

Meet & Greet with Doug Fenton, Islands Trust Trustee Candidate

Hi there, 

Please don’t forget that my Meet & Greet sessions with Doug Fenton will be at the Thetis Island Library: 

Wed - Sept 28: 1:00 – 3:00 pm

Thurs Sept 29: 10:00am – 12:00 pm

Tues Oct 11: 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Look forward to seeing you there.

Huy ch q’a (Thank you), 

Doug Fenton

250.804.6480

I am humbled and grateful to live and work in the traditional territories of the Penelakut & Lyackson Peoples.

Disclaimer: Territorial acknowledgements are just one small part of reconciliation.  Please take a moment to think of other ways you can enact reconciliation.

Internet Access at Ferry Terminals

Moving forward with internet access at Thetis and Penelakut ferry terminals. If someone really close to the ferry lineup will volunteer to have the modem/router on their property that would sure be appreciated. Hoping to have both ethernet access.......... wired in other words, and wireless. Will be calling Chief Joan today for the Penelakut and Chemainus locations, the store is a natural.

I am not current on technology especially modem/routers. The application is obvious

Can anyone please help me with this that is?  littleislander@protonmail.com or text 250.210.4745.

Regards,

David