Reminder that if you are opposed to the RDN establishing a new service to support electric vehicle charging stations you have until February 15th for the RDN to *receive* your form of opposition (a postmark will not meet the requirement). If you are in favour of this new service you don't need to do anything.
To receive an opposition form you can get one Online: rdn.bc.ca/alternative-approval-process-bylaw-1796; In Person at the RDN Administration Office (6300 Hammond Bay Road); or by mail: call 250-390-4111 or 1-877-607-4111 to request a mailed copy.
I am in favour of this new service and Gabriola receiving an EV Charger; however, I want to ensure that those who are in opposition have the opportunity to register their opposition if they choose. If you can not print a form or know someone who can do it for you, please contact me and I will assist you.
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As I've mentioned in previous updates, the RDN was successful in receiving a large grant to support placing 10 electric vehicle charging stations across the RDN. To do this the RDN needs to create a new service, and needs the consent of residents to do so. We're using an Alternate Approval Process (AAP) for this for the 4 electoral areas. If the AAP indicates support, one of the stations will be placed on Gabriola. Huxley Park will be the location of the charger, pending a feasibility analysis.
Summary: if you're IN FAVOUR of the RDN creating an EV Charging service, you don't need to do anything. If you're OPPOSED to this, then you have until February 15th to register your opposition (note that your opposition form must be received by Feb 15th).
Some answers to FAQs I've received:
Will the chargers be user pay?: Not initially. The Board supported the chargers as free to use for the first few months, after which we will receive a report on usage and cost. At that time we can choose to implement a charge proportional to the actual cost of the service. The chargers that will be installed will have the capacity to charge a fee if that's the decision.
Cost: The estimated annual cost for the new service for Area B is $3,870, which equates to approximately $0.231 per $100,000 of assessed property value (eg. so if your home is assessed at $200,000 you'd pay $0.46 per year; a $500,000 property would pay $1.15 per year etc.). This estimated cost is sufficient for annual maintenance etc. and to develop a reserve for repair or replacement. If the Board chooses to start charging for use it would change the taxation support.
Why Huxley: The terms of the grant the RDN received, which will cover the majority of the cost of installation and for the chargers themselves, require that the chargers be placed on municipally owned property (note that private property, a long-term lease with a non-profit and the Islands Trust - which rents their location, do not meet the terms of the grant). The location also needs to have electricity, and to be in a location where there are other things to do. Huxley Park and Descanso Bay Regional Park are the two most appropriate locations on Gabriola.
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The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) is proposing an Electric Vehicle Charging Service for four new public electric vehicle charging stations, one in each of Electoral Areas B, E, G and H. The Service will manage the ongoing operations, maintenance and future replacement cost of the charging stations and will be funded through taxation.
Before the new Service can proceed, affected electors must approve the "Electric Vehicle Charging Station Service Establishment Bylaw No. 1796, 2020". This will be done through the Alternative Approval Process (AAP).
The RDN Board has selected the Alternative Approval Process because it is a more efficient use of tax-payer dollars and more appropriate to the scale of bylaw being proposed - the alternative is an expensive referendum.
The Alternative Approval Process for this Bylaw will run between January 6, 2021 and February 15, 2021.
How to Participate in the Alternative Approval Process
NOT OPPOSED – if you are NOT OPPOSED to the adoption of this bylaw you don't need to do anything.
OPPOSED - if you are OPPOSED to the adoption of “Electric Vehicle Charging Station Service Establishment Bylaw No. 1796, 2020” you can sign and submit an Elector Response Form if you qualify as an elector of the participating service area (details of elector qualification are on the Elector Response Form).
Elector Response Forms will be available starting January 6, 2021:
Online: rdn.bc.ca/alternative-approval-process-bylaw-1796
In Person at the RDN Administration Office (6300 Hammond Bay Road)
By mail: call 250-390-4111 or 1-877-607-4111 to request a mailed copy
Due to COVID-19 precautions, electors are encouraged to download the online form rather than collecting in person
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.
DEADLINE: 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 15, 2021. If you are submitting your form by mail, be advised that postmarks will not be accepted as the date of submission.