FAQ

The proposed addition to Blueback Community Park is located at 3427 Tyee Crescent. See here for a google map link.

Photos of the Property

Property Purchase Price:  $1,060,500. 

Funding Sources:

• $130,000 - Electoral Area E Cash-In-Lieu Reserve
• $930,500 - borrowed over a 20-year term (annual payments would be $65,267, assuming a 3% interest rate).  

Additional costs if property is aquired:

• $25,000 to $50,000 - Demolish existing cottage and site restoration.  ($30,000 is included in the proposed Electoral Area E Community Parks 5-year Financial Plan - 2022-2026).
• $1,000/year - This would cover the cost of managing and maintaining the vegetation on site and other amenities. 

The acquisition of this property will require borrowing of $930,500 over a 20-year term resulting in an average home tax requisition increase of approximately $18.56/year.

Complete an Alternative Approval Process (AAP)

To secure a loan for the required funds to purchase the property, the RDN will need to conduct an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) to obtain the approval of the Electoral Area E residents (this has not yet happened)

• The RDN Board selected the Alternative Approval Process because it is an efficient use of tax-payer dollars and more appropriate in scale to the bylaw being proposed – the alternative is an expensive referendum
• The AAP is a form of approval that allows electors to indicate whether they are opposed to the Regional District proceeding with the bylaw without first obtaining approval by assent of the electors (referendum)
• Approval of the electors by Alternative Approval Process is obtained if the number of elector responses received is less than 10% of the number of electors of the area to which the approval process applies.   The total number of electors in the area of the AAP is determined to be 5,394, therefore if 539 or more elector responses are received, the bylaw may not proceed without a referendum. 

If you are NOT OPPOSED – you don’t need to take any action

If you are OPPOSED to the adoption of Bylaws 803.07 and 1844, you need to let the RDN know through the formal Alternative Approval Process (AAP). 

If you qualify as an elector of Electoral Area E (details of elector qualification are on the Elector Response Form), you must submit an original, signed hard copy of your Elector Response Form to the RDN before 4pm on 14 February, 2022.

See question below for how to get a copy of the Elector Response form and how to submit the form.

Who is an 'Affected Elector'?

An 'Affected Elector' is any individual who qualifies as a resident elector or non-property elector within Electoral Area E of the Regional District of Nanaimo.

Any individual who qualifies as a resident elector or non-resident property elector within the area affected by the subject matter of the AAP.

Where do I get the Elector Response Form?

Starting January 5, 2022, AAP forms will be available via these methods:

• Online: on the RDN website at: https://www.rdn.bc.ca/alternative-approval-process-bylaw-80307-and-1844
• By Mail:  members of the public should call the RDN (250-390-4111 or toll free at 1-877-607-4111)  to request a mail-out of the Electoral Response Form, keeping in mind the submission deadlines and requirements (see III)
• In Person: at the RDN Administration office (6300 Hammond Bay Road) – if possible, please phone ahead - 250-390-4111 or toll free at 1-877-607-4111  ***Due to COVID-19 safety measures, residents are strongly encouraged to download the online form rather than obtaining forms in person.

How do I submit the Elector Response Form?

Only original, signed copies are accepted - emailed and faxed submissions will not be counted. Submit using the following methods:

• By Mail: Send your form to the following address to 

Regional District of Nanaimo

Corporate Services Department

6300 Hammond Bay Road

Nanaimo, BC V9T 6N2

• In Person: Drop off your form in person at 6300 Hammond Bay Road, Nanaimo using the mail slot to the right of the front (west) main administration door.
  

What is the Deadline to submit the Elector Response Form?

All elector response forms must be physically received in the office of the RDN no later than the deadline of 4 p.m. on Monday, February 14, 2022. If you are submitting your form by mail, be advised that postmarks will not be accepted as the date of submission.