North Pender raptor nest proposal moves to further public input
A second letter is planned for property owners within the proposed buffer zone as the Local Trust Committee continues work on draft changes to its raptor Development Permit Area.
The North Pender Firestarter · Governance · 2025-04-12 · updated 2026-10-11 · North Pender Island
The proposed changes would expand raptor nest buffers, with a 60-metre radius for bald eagles and an additional seasonal buffer area, according to the meeting minutes. The committee said the draft bylaw had not received any readings and that a second letter to property owners would be forthcoming.[1]
The minutes say the existing raptor Development Permit Area was adopted in 2008 and that updated mapping identified approximately 20-25 new nest sites. The proposed changes also include updated guidelines reflecting provincial guidance.[1]
During the meeting, staff said the next round of letters would go to properties touched by the proposed buffer areas. The transcript records a staff estimate of about 300 properties and says letters were expected in the next several weeks.[2]
The minutes record that the committee said property owners could make a written submission and request further assessment if they disagreed with mapping information. The committee also said it had not rushed the bylaw amendment process because it required community conversation and time for property owners to report potentially inaccurate inventory.[1]
The minutes say new construction or alteration of an existing building within the Development Permit Area would require a permit, while existing structures would not be affected. The committee said the intention was not to prevent development.[1]
Sources
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North Pender Island Local Trust Committee Special Meeting Minutes, April 12, 2025
The biggest proposed change is to increase the buffer area from 30-50 metres to a 60-metre radius with an additional seasonal buffer area
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Transcript of the meeting recording (250412D)
So the next letter will go to like all 300 properties where any of those buffer yields touch.
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