The vice-president of Kensington Island Properties indicates he’s learned his lesson.

The lesson? Before going very far with any large development, get the local native band onside.

After a decade or so of trying to get the green light for an 845-acre development in Union Bay, KIP VP Brian McMahon said last week that Kensington is pleased about a deal with the K’ómoks First Nation.

Stressing that the K’ómoks people are not opposed to development, Chief Ernie Hardy said they just want to ensure the consultation process is followed.

The agreement involves environmental consultation – as well as land, jobs and training.

McMahon had not previously got the K’ómoks to buy in, helping anti-KIP group the Baynes Sound Area Society for Sustainability to persuade a B.C. Supreme Court judge to halt the project in April.

While a lack of consultation was not the reason the legal ruling rejected proposed regional district bylaws for KIP, the judge stated the company had also not properly consulted the K’ómoks Band.

The K’ómoks subsequently negotiated more than mere consultation from Kensington.

That’s the way it’s been in the province since the courts started ruling in favour of the many B.C. native bands that were never offered negotiations to offset the loss of their land.

Until treaties are signed, uncertainty will prevail for business, government and native people over what development is allowed, and where.

An interim solution is for companies to negotiate directly with native bands, as Sage Hills Developments did with a memorandum of understanding signed with the K’ómoks in March 2008.

That is helping to clear the way for a sustainable Sage Hills community on 2,083-acres in the Comox Valley.

The Kensington deal with the local band presumably removes one potential roadblock for KIP, which watches keenly the progress on a new set of regional district bylaws.

editor@comoxvalleyrecord.com