New Current Development
Website Page
A page has been added to the Town's website to provide more information about current private development projects. This page is not intended to list all developments underway, but instead to provide more information on those of notable interest to the public.

View the new page from our home page as per image below.
Telus Cell Tower
As many of you are aware, Telus is proposing to construct a 45-meter tall monopole tower near Eaglecrest Golf Club in Qualicum Beach, BC. Two (2) potential tower location options were identified on vacant municipal-owned land at both 2045 Island Hwy W (option 1) and 845 Village Way (option 2).

On August 5, 2020, the Town received a request from Telus (see link below), after they completed a period of public consultation.

Go to the Town's Cell Tower web page to find the following information:
  • The concurrence request from Telus; and
  • A verbal update from staff (at the July 15, 2020, Regular Council meeting).
Waterfront Walkway Update
The Town has a long-standing goal of establishing a safe, continuous walkway along the Qualicum Beach waterfront. A project is therefore underway to look at a reconfiguration of Highway 19A to build a separated pathway for pedestrians/cyclists along the roadway, connecting existing segments of the protected walkway.

Preliminary layout for the walkway will take place the week of August 11, 2020. Stay tuned for more details.

For more information go to the Waterfront Walkway Update web page.
Tree and Vegetation
Management Plan Review Update
The Tree & Vegetation Management plan provides a vision to guide the document that is drawn in part from the Town’s Sustainability Plan. Three goals are proposed that embody this vision and capture all eleven of the priorities identified in the survey:
• Conserve natural values and systems
• Accommodate other private and public values
• Manage risk in treed landscapes

This draft plan was reviewed by the Select Committee on Environment and Sustainability meeting in June. Their feedback has since been passed to the Town's consultant, who will update the Draft Report.

To view the draft report go to Tree & Vegetation web page.
Tree Planting on Hemsworth Road
On July 15, 2020, Council approved the planting of trees along Hemsworth Road between Chester Road and Palm Drive, to help offset trees removed during the School Connector multi-use path construction.

The new trees will complement those already established in the forest, and planting is planned for the Fall.
Rodway Trail Received Funding
The Province of BC has awarded $100,000 to the Town through the Rural Community Development Grant funding stream.
 
This project will re-establish the Rodway Trail - a steep embankment that runs from Arbutus Street to Highway 19A. 

The trail will build a new graded access point, and install engineered stairs to create a continuous trail down the bank.

Rodway Trail will not only open up commuter connections for residents in West Qualicum Beach, but will allow tourist access to walking “loops” that lead to various attractions and businesses around the Town. Likewise, the waterfront is one of Qualicum Beach’s most integral cultural, social and environmental assets, and access to it from multiple points strengthens the community’s connection to it. 

Mayor Brian Wiese says “We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia in this important project. The Town has long wanted to restore this trail and provide greater access for West Qualicum Beach residents to the beachfront for their everyday use. We also recognize that the more trail linkages we have between our uptown commercial core and the waterfront, the more it creates recreation tourism opportunities, and benefits our local economy.”  

The project is underway, with work currently focusing on surveying footing locations.

For more information, visit the Rodway Trail Re-Establishment web page.
Disposition & Potential Land Sales
Council adopted the Qualicum Beach Property Disposition Policy 3008–13 at the July 15, 2020, Regular Council meeting. This policy establishes consistent procedures for the disposition of Town property, and will be in line with the existing provincial regulation defined in the Community Charter. Staff also provided a list of properties the Town is considering for disposition.

Further information:
Former St Andrews Waterfront Park Update
The Town is seeking proposals for the former St. Andrew’s Lodge. The building is offered for relocation, or for re-purposing onsite, with the requirement that the building be re-purposed in a way that protects its historical integrity. 

The recommendation was based on a feasibility report presented at the June 24, 2020, Regular Council meeting Council Meeting.

Go to the Former St Andrews Waterfront Park web page to find the following information:
  • Read the June 24 memo (with Feasibility Report). 
  • Listen to staff's verbal update (starting at 1 hr 42 min)
  • View the Request for Proposal