I recently had a chance to speak with Mary Degan, chair of the Elphinstone Area Planning Commission (APC) currently comprised of about eight members from a cross-section of the community. Mary has lived on the Coast for over 20 years, and in Elphinstone for about seven years, and has served on the APC for almost three years, most of that as chair. She is also on the board of the One Straw Society, an organization committed to sustainable agriculture, initiated by the late, great Robin Wheeler whom many will remember as a wonderful promoter of all things green and growing.
Mary has always been involved in community boards but finds that the APC is the most rewarding way to have an impact on local governance. APCs are established for every district in the SCRD and are the “keepers of the OCPs.” The SCRD website states: “Advisory Planning Commissions (APCs) advise the Regional District Board on all matters referred to the APC by the Board or by the Area Director respecting land use, the preparation and adoption of a community plan, or a rural land use bylaw or a proposed bylaw or permit. Each Electoral Area within the SCRD has an APC.” More information, including the minutes of APCS, can be found on the website.
Along with a secretary, agendas for the monthly meeting are supplied by the SCRD. Director Lewis attends to answer questions or supply additional background information. The APC comments on upcoming developments, bylaw changes and other matters for which the SCRD board and planners want local input. Currently all the APCs are engaged in commenting on the updating of Bylaw 310; the SCRD wants to streamline and make it more relevant across the regional district areas.
Mary says it is an exciting process to be part of, especially for those interested in planning and development, and she learns a lot from interaction with other area APC members.
Mary’s background in permaculture gives her a systems perspective, understanding that everything is interconnected. In planning as in ecology, a change in one area affects all others, often with unintended consequences. With her enthusiasm, it is obvious that we are being well served with Mary as chair of our Elphinstone APC.
In my conversation with Mary, I learned an interesting fact, relevant to two previous columns about local farms that explains why there is a large swath of land in the Henry-Reed Road area with fertile soil, rich and productive compared to our family’s little stony, sandy patch of extremely poor soil. Mary tells me there used to be a lake covering the whole of Henry-Reed, so when it receded, fabulous deep soil was left behind, along with a propensity for excess moisture.
Please contact me at elphin@coastreporter.net if you have Elphinstone news.
