A New Plan for our Waterfront


Read below for all the details -- and check out the Frequently Asked Questions as well.

New Waterfront Area Plan

The new Waterfront Area Plan has now been adopted with the adoption of Bylaw 1950 (Official Community Plan Amendment) following the May 14, 2018 Public Hearing. 

To view the Waterfront Area Plan, please click here.

LOT 5

Notice - Town Moves to Acquire Waterfront Area Lands

Frequently Asked Questions.

BYLAW 1950

The purpose of Bylaw 1950 is to amend the Official Community Plan to implement the new Waterfront Area Plan, Development Permit Area 1 - Maritime, and to make consequential amendments as a result of these changes. Amendments included in Bylaw 1950 are summarized below. 

  • Replacing the 1997 Waterfront Area Plan with the 2018 Waterfront Area Plan.
  • Replacing the current DPA 1-Waterfront with a new DPA 1- Maritime.
  • OCP text amendments to update references to the new Waterfront Area Plan.
  • Updating the text and graphics associated with neighbourhood population growth.
  • Amending the three OCP maps (Land Use Designations, DPAs and Transportation) to replace graphic
    reference to the former Waterfront Area Plan with the new Waterfront Area Plan.
  • Consequential amendments to the Land Use Designations and Development Permit Area for properties that are no longer within the area covered by the Waterfront Area Plan.

BYLAW 1951

The purpose of Bylaw 1951 is to amend the Zoning Bylaw to allow for the initial development phase.  The zoning on the area of the Waterfront known as The Jewel (Area 12 on the Concept Plan below) is proposed to change from ‘Waterfront Reserve (CD-4) Zone’ to ‘Medium Density Residential (R-3) Zone’ to permit a multiple-unit residential development.  Site specific regulations are added to the R-3 Zone for maximum units per hectare of land, building height and setbacks, and new definitions are added for building end and building side.  

Background on the Community Engagement Process

The final draft Waterfront Area Plan was presented to the community on January 22, 2018 following the extensive and thoughtful input received at public events, the design charrette, on-line surveys, stakeholder meetings and individual conversations held through-out 2017.

  • The final draft plan is available here or at the Ladysmith Library, Ladysmith Maritime Society Welcome Centre, City Hall and Development Services office.
  • The display panels from the January 22 meeting can be viewed here.
  • To view a list of frequently asked questions, click here.

Waterfront Implementation Committee

The Waterfront Implementation Committee has been formed as a result of resolutions by both the Stz’uminus First Nation Council and the Town of Ladysmith Council. Three representatives from each Council appointed to the WIC will advise and make recommendations on waterfront implementation items to each Council.

The duties and responsibilities of the WIC are determined by the Councils as outlined in the Waterfront Area Plan, and include:

  • Prioritizing, developing and recommending specific projects of the Waterfront Area Plan to the Councils;
  • Advising the Councils on the undertaking of specific projects and initiatives;
  • Identifying and advising the Councils of financial and other resources required to undertake specific projects;
  • Endeavoring to establish best practices in all initiatives;
  • Developing an information sharing and consultation framework; and
  • Providing input and advice to the Town’s Waterfront Implementation Project Manager as needed.

Terms of Reference that guide the work of the WIC.


Map 2: Waterfront Concept Plan

Click on image to enlarge

Map 2 - Concept Plan
The Town of Ladysmith and the Stz'uminus First Nation worked in partnership to develop a plan for the Ladysmith Waterfront Area, in the spirit of building our relationship.

Read more here about the history of this area and its importance today, including information about Stz’uminus First Nation history, the harbour’s industrial past and our future together. 

Interested in more background information?  Check out this library of plans and studies about the Our Waterfront project area and the relationship between Stz’uminus First Nation and Town of Ladysmith.

Highlights of the 2017 Community Conversation

A draft concept plan was presented to the community on July 19th, 2017, with over 160 people participating in various events. Over 500 people participated in the online survey, which closed on July 31st.  The draw prize winners have been notified.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and helping to shape the future of our waterfront!  Read the results of the Phase 3 public input: Snapshot of Phase 3 Public Input

In 2017 there were over 1500 interactions with members of the communities about this project. Below is a snapshot of the overall themes that emerged from the process.

20170501_OverallThemes

Community Engagement

2017.08.17 Engagement infograhic Ph 3

Read the results of the various activities in the Community Engagement Summary report.

Design Charrette

Three cheers to the citizen design team for an amazing 3-day charrette on the future of the waterfront!  And, thank you to the many citizens who came afterward to see the emerging ideas created by this dynamic group.  The video below highlights the design charrette event.





In early February 2017 an engaging Speakers Night was held at Aggie Hall and attended by 200 community members.  Thank you for joining us for the official launch of the project!  If you were unable to attend the event, the presentations are now available below: (some files are quite large and may take up to a minute to load)

1. Welcome by Mayor Stone and Chief Elliott
2. Introduction by Moderator Jennifer Fix
3. Norm Hotson: Building successful people-places and waterfronts
4. Ouri Scott: Coming Together - Reconciliation, placemaking and an indigenous design perspective
5. Ray Harris: Living in the harbour
6. Closing by Mayor Stone and Chief Elliott

On-line Survey #1

An on-line survey about the future of the waterfront took place from February 1 to 22, 2017 and had more than 630 responses.  This is a very high rate of participation and we are very appreciative of your input.  We heard from people of all ages, including residents, business owners, employees and students. 

A few themes emerged from your input, including a priority for public access to the water’s edge – one of the most commonly referenced ideas for the future is a waterfront boardwalk.  A consultation report has been prepared as part of the project to provide the results to the community. The Town thanks everyone who participated!

Project Area Map

Waterfront