Saltair is a unique coastal community with superb natural beauty, nestled between the urban centres of Ladysmith and Chemainus. It is a predominantly rural community of approximately 1800 people, many of whom moved to Saltair because of the panoramic ocean and mountain views, and rural ambience.
Its location in relation to nearby urban centres, along with its natural coastal beauty, allow for a healthy rural lifestyle, with close access to shopping and services. It is important to recognize that, aside from the forest resource lands to the west of Ladysmith, there are three sub-areas that make up Saltair: North Saltair is the linear landscape north of the Davis Lagoon, Central Saltair is the semi-urbanized portion of the community from Davis Lagoon to the Boulder Point area, and South Saltair encompasses the rural residential and agricultural areas in the south portion of the Plan area. These sub-areas have unique characteristics.
Saltair residents place a very high value on the rural ambience of Saltair, and wish to ensure that the peaceful, rural nature of the community is protected. A main challenge for Saltair is that, as increasing numbers of people become attracted to its unique rural lifestyle, the more difficult it becomes to preserve the rural ambience.
Rural lands located adjacent to an urban area are susceptible to sprawl development which can overwhelm the existing community character and way of life. Furthermore, Saltair relies on limited surface water resources that can sustain only limited population growth. For the purpose of protecting the rural lifestyle, and for sustaining the precious community water supply, the Area G Official Community Plan will provide for limited population growth, and will set clear limits on urban expansion.
Throughout the community, the single-family dwelling will continue to be the predominant housing form, and the agrarian heritage of the community will be preserved. The OCP will also provide for a high level of environmental protection. In particular, Stocking Creek, Porter Creek, Stocking Lake, and the ocean shoreline area will be carefully managed to ensure that they are protected from adverse human impacts.
The significant forested lands to the west of the Town of Ladysmith should be retained at existing parcel sizes, as this area is a natural resource of great value. These wilderness lands provide economic benefits through forestry and resource extraction initiatives, the community water supply, and high biotic diversity for wildlife habitat.
The existing local commercial area, adjacent to Saltair’s Food Market Store on Chemainus Road, will continue to be the centre of commercial activity in Area G due to its location in relation to the majority of Saltair’s population, and its ability to provide for the small-scale commercial needs of residents. The OCP will require any future commercial businesses to locate in designated areas in this central commercial core. Any new commercial ventures will be appropriately scaled, with land uses that complement the rural residential nature of the area, are attractively designed, and do not have negative social or environmental impacts.
Electoral Area G – Saltair Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 2500