In stark contrast to some of the previous meetings of the Juan de Fuca Land Use Committee, Tuesday's meeting at the Sooke Community Hall was anticlimactic. Over the past two years frustration, anger and resentment had built up over the passing of what some considered a repressive down-zoning bylaw (Bylaw No. 3421). Neighbours were pitted against neighbours and even the heavy hitting environmentalists from Victoria got in on the action.

In 2007, the Capital Regional District brought in new zoning that limited lot sizes on most of the forest and resource lands from Port Renfrew to the Sooke Potholes, setting the minimum lot size at 120 hectares. The area encompasses approximately 132,000 hectares.

This prompted legal action against the CRD for what was called illegal voting structures. Suits and appeals continued over the past year or more. Bylaw 3421 was rescinded and replaced by two new proposed bylaws.

Mike Hicks, the new area director for the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area, sought some compromise and he, along with the land use committees and planning staff, fashioned a new land use bylaw, Bylaw No. 3602 and Bylaw No 3591 an Official Community Plan for the Rural Resource Lands within the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area.

The November 17 meeting was held to amend the Sooke Land Use Bylaw, 1992 Bylaw No. 2040; and to consider public comments and amendments to Bylaw No. 3591 and Bylaw No. 3602 and give the bylaws second reading to enable them to go to a public hearing. The Land Use Committee gave the bylaws second reading.

This finally met with approval from many of the interested parties.

"We didn't always agree to the Rural Resource Plan but we will accept it," said Al Jones, president of the BC Landowners Association.

Vicky Husband, spokesperson for the Jordan River Steering Committee and Highlands resident, said she thought the rural designation was wrong as they were really "wild resource lands." She said the decisions made affected us all. "These are very special lands, that's why there was so much broad public interest," said Husband. "It is in a much better state."

The Dogwood Initiative supported the bylaws and their spokesman said they (the bylaws) showed a "respect for democracy."

Frank Limshue, representing TimberWest, said the door should not be shut but should be open for opportunities for talks between landowners and the CRD as the bylaws give landowners very little movement to do anything with their land.

Cleo Gardner questioned the voting procedure of the board. Committee A members of the board include the directors for; the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area, the City Colwood, the districts of Langford, Metchosin and Sooke will be voting on the proposed bylaws.

Arnie Campbell, president of the Otter Point and Shirley Resident Ratepayers Association, said there was a tremendous amount of thought on the bylaws and they deserved credit for what they were able to accomplish.

"There was a lot of compromise," he said.

John Brohman said he works in the forestry sector and he felt there were many rules in place to protect the forest lands. He felt the five or six major landowners in the area should be listened to as more and more recreational land was being blocked off.

It is recommended that 120 hectare minimum parcels size be established for the Resource Lands designation and rezoning be considered to address changes in land use only. The OCP proposes to establish some environmental protection through development permit areas and by establishing objectives, goals and policies to guide consideration for future development. The designation will permit uses such as; silviculture, mineral extraction, agriculture, outdoor recreation, tourism including agric-tourism, parks and wilderness activities and residential. Development can occur in areas close to existing roads and development on lots as small as five acres.

The next step in the procedure is a public hearing and then final adoption of the bylaws. The draft bylaws and maps can be viewed and downloaded in their entirety at: www.crd.bc.ca/jdf.