In This Week’s Editor’s Note:
- Comox Strathcona Waste Management: tipping fee increases approved
- Union Bay: 750 acres continues to be for sale by court order
- Campbell River: proposed 52-unit apartment building
Comox Strathcona Waste Management: tipping fee increases approved
The Comox Strathcona Waste Management (CSWM) board has approved proposed increases to tipping fees effective January 1, 2026. The largest changes apply to high volume and/or low recycling waste categories including: Municipal Contract Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) +$10 to $165/tonne (from $155); Municipal Contract Organics +$5 to $115/tonne (from $110); Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (ICI)/Household MSW +$5 to $170/tonne (from $165); Organics (non-municipal contracts) +$20 to $150/tonne (from $130); Controlled waste (including dirt or rubble) +$50 to $250/tonne (from $200). Construction waste will be $205/tonne and Construction Waste -Contaminated Load will be $513/tonne. In addition, a contamination surcharge framework will replace the existing “contaminated load” rates, applying a consistent penalty across all waste streams and has been set at 150%. Staff noted Construction and Demolition Waste containing Recyclable Materials or Prohibited will no longer have a fee category and will be covered under the 150% contamination surcharge. Waste Staff recommend maintaining the $10 minimum fee for now, although it represents 55 per cent of transactions and requires disproportionate administrative and operational effort. A possible increase is being reviewed for 2027, pending SWMP outcomes.
Union Bay: 750 acres continues to be for sale by court order
CBRE, a global commercial real estate company continues to work on behalf of Kensington Island Properties through a Court-Ordered Conduct of Sale to market approximately up to 740 acres of land in Union Bay. This property, long held by Kensington was sold to Union Bay Properties in 2017 with the Court-Ordered Conduct of Sale occurring in 2024. The offering comprises five fully rezoned parcels with approved development plans for a multi-phase, mixed-use community. The existing Comprehensive Development zoning allows for a broad range of uses—including residential, commercial, institutional, recreational, and resort amenities—providing flexibility to adapt future phases to evolving market demands. In 2017, a revised Master Development Agreement was approved by the CVRD, rezoning the lands to permit multi- and single-family residential, retirement and senior living, work/live units, and affordable housing as part of the residential component. No list price has been set.
Campbell River: proposed 52-unit apartment building
Council will review a rezoning application this week to allow for a 52-unit development just north of the Rockland Road and Island Highway South roundabout. The 1.07 acre property was purchased in 2023 for $1.5 million and was 2024 for $2.05 million. The property is currently vacant with a Steep Slope Development Permit Area along the entire west portion of the site. Instead of using dwelling units per hectare to measure density, the applicant is requesting a site-specific text amendment to increase density by using Floor Area Ratio. Approval would allow 52 units instead of 41. The building is proposed to include a mix of studio, and one- and two-bedroom units and remain in the rental pool, and not be stratified, to ensure that it will address ‘market-rate’ housing needs.
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