Governance

Denman committee advances Komas Ranch rezoning application

Trustees request draft bylaws and additional information on water, sewage, conservation and cultural heritage.

The Denman Firestarter · reporting 2024-06-04 · compiled 2026-09-06

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The Denman Island Local Trust Committee requests draft bylaws to advance the Komas Ranch Ltd. rezoning application, which seeks to address residential density and conservation designations before the land use contract terminates on June 30, 2024. ^[1] Tony Aly, who publishes this paper, is involved with Camp Denman, also known as Elkhaven and Elk Haven, and has a personal interest in land-use and bylaw-enforcement matters affecting that site.

The committee requests information on sewage disposal systems, including filings and a comprehensive sewage disposal plan for each dwelling or building site on the Northern and Western parcels. ^[1] It also requests information about potable-water sources, distribution, water-quality tests and additional irrigation sources, with the information to be forwarded to the Islands Trust Freshwater Specialist. ^[1]

The application proposes to increase the number of allowable single-family dwellings on two lots from 9 units up to 20 units, with each permitted dwelling allowed one accessory guest dwelling no larger than 400 square feet. ^[1]

Trustees also request a staff report on options and implications for establishing a shoreline-protection Development Permit Area, and ask the applicant to confirm whether it will pursue a Natural Area Protection Tax Exemption Program covenant for an environmentally sensitive portion of the Northern parcel. ^[1]

The committee requests staff engagement with K’ómoks First Nation about possible formalized access to Longbeak Point through a pedestrian trail, and a report on options to protect the properties’ cultural heritage using available local-government tools in addition to the Heritage Conservation Act. ^[1]

The committee also requests a post-impact Preliminary Field Reconnaissance prepared by a qualified professional in consultation with K’ómoks First Nation, directs early referral of the preliminary staff report and application to listed First Nations and agencies, and requests staff to initiate the creation of an Advisory Planning Commission through expressions of interest. ^[1]

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