BCO Coastal Hidden Gems: Cortes Island

Cortes Island is a perfect example of west coast island living. As one of the Discovery Islands off the central eastern coast of Vancouver Island it is popular with boaters and vacationers alike. As one of the two Discovery Islands with ferry access, Cortes also attracts a fair number of people year-round, and has a permanent population of about 1000 people. The relaxed, rural lifestyle attracts a cross-section of society, from old school hippies to new age environmentalists, from burned out city executives to small scale farmers - and everything else in between. There is a strong First Nations history and presence on the island as well as a more recent resource-based history and on-going presence.

 

The island is 130 square kilometres and boasts some beautiful beaches as well as gorgeous lakes. Smelt Bay Provincial Park is a popular summer camping destination. There are three main population areas on the island, where one can find a public school, a medical clinic, a library branch and small community amenities.

 

Cortes Island is considered a major gateway to the very popular Desolation Sound region; well known for its waterfalls, secret coves, rock cliffs and tranquil natural beauty with plenty of opportunity for wildlife viewing, including bald eagles and bears. For the outdoor enthusiast it is truly one of the best jumping off points for a variety of outdoor activities including fishing, prawning, kayaking & hiking. This area enjoys a nice temperate climate and the waters here are warmer than in most other areas on the coast.

Access to Cortes Island is a 45-minute trip via regularly scheduled ferry service from Heriot Bay on Quadra Island.  Quadra Island is a short 10-minute ferry ride from Campbell River.  During the summer months there is also regular float plane service from Vancouver and Seattle directly into Cortes Bay.

 

It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Pass It On!

What is the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR)?

The Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) is a hot topic in BC. The Agriculture Land Commission (ALC), the body that governs the ALR, defines it as:

"The Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) is a provincial zone in which agriculture is recognized as the priority use. Farming is encouraged and non-agricultural uses are restricted."

 

Hornby Island

Recreational properties can be found within the ALR, and it is a good idea to understand what restrictions that places on the property. The ALC website provides clear guidelines in this regard, as well as providing mapping of ALR land in BC.

The ALR protects approximately 4.7 million hectares of agriculturally suitable land across British Columbia, according to the ALC. Buying property within the ALR does not stop one from having a home on the land, it does however restrict what activity the land can be used for.

Sayward Valley

 

It is also important to note that different municipalities and regions may have zoning bylaws that also affect the land and uses.

 

Keep in mind that buying property in the ALR means your neighbours are likely in the ALR as well, and may well be engaged in agricultural practises - this could mean all the unique things that are part of farming and agriculture are part of your neighbourhood (e.g. machinery noise, fertilizer spreading, etc).

 

ALC website: http://www.alc.gov.bc.ca

 

It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Pass It On!

BCO Coastal Hidden Gems: Minstrel Island

Minstrel Island is situated off the north-west tip of East Cracroft and adjacent to the entrance to world-famous Knight Inlet, a 70-mile long glacial fjord. Located on the southern central BC coast, this area is one of the most spectacular on the mainland coast and offers a great variety of outdoor recreation opportunities such as fishing, shellfish harvesting, wildlife viewing, yachting and kayaking.

 

Minstrel Island is home to a small community, and has a government dock. There are a number of floating fishing lodges in the vicinity. In the past it was an active centre in the logging and fishing industry.

 

Just a short distance to the south are the waters of Johnstone Strait and Robson Bight, home to some of the largest populations of resident and migrating orca whales. Lagoon Cove Marina is located a short distance to the east, providing convenient access to fuel and other amenities.

 

It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Pass It On!

No Zoning and the Implications

Many rural properties in BC are excluded from zoning bylaws by their respective Regional Districts and are simply referred to as No Zoning areas on maps. However, if you read the fine print, most Regional Districts will inform you that there are still requirements. This example is taken from the Mount Waddington Regional District site:
"While there is no Building Bylaw in effect for the rural area that requires a Building Permit or Site Permit be applied for and issued for new construction, building construction must meet the requirements of the BC Building Code."

While this may seem to be a bit too much structure for someone who just wants to go build a cabin in a remote location, there are some good reasons to pay attention. And all buildings built in BC are required to meet the BC Building Code.

No matter how we might want our recreational or remote property to stay in the family for generations, sometimes life happens. If you need to sell a property that you have built on within 10 years of the building being completed, you have to have an HPO warranty (Homeowner Protection Office) in order to be able to sell. And they want to see a property built to code. This is becoming more of an issue, as there are properties right now that cannot be sold because they don't meet the HPO requirements.

Insurance premiums are constantly on the rise, and getting insurance for a remote property can be a challenge. Building it to code may help your chances of getting insured.

A lot of the basic Building Code is around safety issues. As the property is in a remote location and likely to be unoccupied at least some of the time, following the code in these instances will help keep the property protected and as safe as possible.

Resources:
http://www.hpo.bc.ca/
http://www.bccodes.ca/building-code.aspx?vid=QPLEGALEZE:bccodes_2012_view

It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Pass It On!

Victoria, Vancouver Island

If it weren't for the daily views of ocean it would be easy to forget you live on an island when it's as big as Vancouver Island and there is a city like Victoria on it.

 Looking over Victoria from Mill Hill Park

 

Victoria is the capital of British Columbia and sits on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. the Capital Regional District is made up of a number of communities, including the City of Victoria, that most people refer to simply as Victoria. The population of the Regional District is approx. 350,000.

Victoria Inner Harbour from Esquimalt

 

Victoria offers everything from a world class museum to high end accommodations, a nationally recognized university, athletics teams, and a climate that is the envy of other cities across Canada. (Residents hold a bloom count in February, tongue in cheek reminding the rest of Canada how lovely it is even in winter in Victoria.) Known as a city that attracts both young and old alike, Victoria offers a charm and lifestyle that cannot easily be found anywhere else.

World famous Empress Hotel, Victoria Inner Harbour

 

For people who live on Vancouver Island, Victoria offers the amenities and attractions of a big city without having to leave the island. With the Inland Island Highway getting to Victoria is direct from almost anywhere on the island. Whether for shopping, a night on the town or cultural activities such as a concert or show a get away to Victoria is a treat for those who live on the island.

Victoria has a good transit system and is becoming more and more cyclist friendly. It is the perfect blend of small town and big city. As is common with government towns, it boasts a lot of parks and green space including Beacon Hill Park downtown on the water - a popular park for locals and tourists alike.

Gardens in Beacon Hill Park

 

It's a Coastal Lifestyle .... Pass It On!

Winter Ready Recreational Properties

The winter storms are coming, and the snow, and that means it's time to winterize! Just like you should clean your gutters, unhook your hoses and put away the patio furniture at your residence, you should prepare your recreational and remote properties for winter.

Winter Harbour, in winter

 

Water - if you are not going to be using your property over the winter your water supply should be properly shut down. There is nothing worse than burst pipes in the spring!

General tidy up - make sure all the loose items from summer, such as chairs, tables, planters, tools, etc are put away in a secure place. Winter weather can wreck these items, and winter storms can send them flying.

Clean up - make sure that food stuffs are either well packaged, stored somewhere else or thrown out. Mice love a winter meal! Putting linens, towels, dishcloths, etc somewhere extra dry will help keep mould from growing on damp fabrics.

Lock up - make sure the property is closed up properly. Windows and doors should be latched so wind doesn't blow them open and so that critters can't get in.

Docks - make sure the surface is "gripped" or cleaned so that if someone needs to use the docks they won't slip on the slick surface from all the winter moisture.

Trees, shrubs, etc - now is a good time to prune any dead branches or long branches that are getting too close to buildings. These can come down during winter storms doing a lot of damage with no one around to clean up. Better to deal with it now.

 

A small amount of time spent shutting down, cleaning up and locking up will save time and possibly money come spring. It's not too late to get it done before the big storms come!

 

It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Pass It On!

Listing Your Recreational Property

Thinking of listing a recreational property? Here are some tips to make the process go smoothly.

Listing Your Recreational Property

There are many things you as the property owner can do to increase your chances of success with selling your property. Getting it ready for viewing may require a bit of work, but it will pay off with better showings.

Accessibility

Is the entrance clearly marked with identifiers? Are the access routes clear for vehicles to drive along? If the access is by water, is the dock/property easily visible from the water with identifiers? Are there tie-ups available?

Grounds

While people expect to see some equipment, etc on the grounds, have you cleaned up the extra items? Are they neatly put away, or scattered around the property? A general clean up of the grounds is advised. This includes winter blow-down of branches, etc.

Water Supply

Has the water supply and source been clearly marked? Are there directions for turning on and shutting off the water if required? Has the water supply been cleaned or serviced recently (if so, paperwork stating the details should be provided)?

Residence

If there is a residence on the property, has it been cleaned? Are there belongings left out or are they put away? The neater it can be left, the better. Do the doors/windows stick? Are there small repairs or projects that can be finished which will enhance the showings?

Docks/Piers/Ramps

Are there loose boards? Do they need to be power washed so they aren’t dirty/slippery? Are there simple repairs that can be done to enhance the showing?

Outbuildings

Any outbuildings on the property should be enterable and in a reasonable state of cleanliness.

Paperwork

If you have done work on the property, paperwork providing details of that work is always good to have readily available should people ask. Also any inspection work regarding the property should also have paperwork readily available.

Ed and Shelley have many years of remote and recreational property experience between them, and have a lot of information for both buyers and sellers to consider.

It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Pass It On!