Hornby Island Trustees deny controversial subdivision

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Dr. Bonnie Henry welcomes move by feds to suspend flights to vacation destinations

The provincial health officer is welcoming new federal rules, aimed at limiting international travel. Ottawa has announced flights by Canadian airlines to Mexico and the Caribbean will be suspended, starting this Sunday until April the 30th. Dr. Bonnie Henry believes that will discourage British Columbians from travelling abroad. And, she hints there may be similar restrictions to US vacation destinations like Hawaii and California in the coming days.

"People from BC do go to Mexico quite a bit and myself, I'd be running away to the Caribbean if I could, but that's not in the possibility this year, so yes, we understand that Canada is having ongoing discussions with our neighbours to the south, with the United States as they are updating and revising their border measures, so I expect to hear more about that in the coming days."—Chief Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.

The federal government will impose new requirements for international travellers, starting February the 3rd. Those arriving at Canadian airports will be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival. They will have to quarantine at a government-approved hotel, at their own expense, while awaiting test results. Those who are positive for the virus must then quarantine for two more weeks at a government-approved facility. International flights will be restricted to airports in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal. People crossing into Canada at a land border will have to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test.

Friday COVID-19 update

Meanwhile, in BC today, there were 514 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed, and 5 deaths. The Island Health region has recorded 29 new cases, 19 in the Central Island and 10 in the South Island, bringing our active case count to 246.

Controversial subdivision on Hornby Island will not go ahead

Hornby Island Local Trustees will not allow a controversial division of land to proceed. The trustees voted unanimously against a request by a local doctor to subdivide a four-hectare lot in a rural area. The rejection of the rezoning application came after a well-attended virtual public hearing today.

Neighbours, including Allan Fletcher who runs a farm across from the property spoke against the plan.

"David Wiseman is a neighbour and he is a friend. He was my doctor when I was growing up. I don't like being in the position that I'm in now, where I'm having to say to him 'no, you can't do that.' Why are we even discussing this? There is a covenant on the property. There are many reasons why this property was not allowed to be subdivided. It just dumbfounds me why we're here."
—Hornby Island Resident Allan Fletcher.

Trustee Alex Allen noted all but two of Wiseman's neighbours opposed the subdivision and that their participation in the public hearing was important.

"Really, you can't always choose your neighbours. I've been next to a vacation rental, the guy who pretends he's in a woodlot with his chainsaw down the road and on and on and on. But this is a time where democracy is speaking out."
—Hornby Trustee Alex Allen.

The property owner, said he was disappointed by the decision. Dr. David Wiseman hinted that it might prompt him to leave the island.

"I was counting on this for my future here on Hornby and it's gonna make a huge difference to how much longer I can live here."
—Hornby Island Resident Dr. David Wiseman.

Wiseman is now unable to divide the lot under current zoning.