Last night, SNA directors Isabel Rimmer and Mariah Wallener presented our report, "Approved as a Permitted Use", to a standing-room-only crowd at the North Cowichan Committee of the Whole. This report was the culmination of months of hard work by SNA directors, along with Sahtlam area residents and other supporters who donated their time, money, and efforts to research and fully understand the situation. Our mission last night was simple and straightforward: to share what we

Yesterday, SNA directors Isabel Rimmer and Mariah Wallener appeared before council to discuss the new off-road track at Vancouver Island Motorsports Circuit (VIMC), which was recently constructed without the necessary permits and environmental assessments. The new track represents an expansion of the original facility, by adding an "off-road experience" for private members and other users of the motorsports club. But while the original development sits on a parcel of land tha

When the SNA was invited by Mayor Jon Lefebure to participate in negotiations to resolve issues of noise from the nearby motorsports circuit, we readily accepted. However, we made it clear to Mayor Lefebure that the SNA was concerned about further development and expansion of the motorsports facility while current issues remained unresolved. VIMC had been advertising "Phase 2" on their website, and we knew that if no zoning variances were deemed necessary, staff had the deleg

In November 2016, Mayor Jon Lefebure invited representatives from SNA and Vancouver Island Motorsports Circuit (VIMC) to meet with him to discuss the possibility of working together to create a noise management plan. At that first meeting, the SNA proposed that such a plan include four main elements: noise limits, continuous noise monitoring, regular review sessions, and a binding agreement. The discussion was respectful and positive, and both sides expressed a willingness to

For the last few months, SNA directors have been meeting with representatives from the Vancouver Island Motorsports Circuit (VIMC) at a series of "roundtable talks" hosted by Mayor Jon Lefebure and the Municipality of North Cowichan (MNC). As a result of these discussions, we are pleased to announce the following: ​ The Mayor has received approval from council to purchase and set up a permanent noise monitor in a North Cowichan neighbourhood near the track. At the same time,