September 2021
Community Update
News and Information from the District of Lantzville  
Municipal Hall Hours - Masks Mandatory
Monday to Friday - By phone or email: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
In-person payment and document drop-off 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
Call or email for appointment for other services

Closed Monday, September 6th for Labour Day and Thursday,
September 30th for National Truth and Reconciliation Day

After-hours Public Works emergency call 1.888.826.8271
All other emergencies dial 911
Upcoming Meetings
Wednesday, September 8th - 6:00 pm Regular Council
Wednesday, September 22nd - 6:00 pm Regular Council

The start time of the open portion/livestreaming of the meetings may vary if a closed portion is required at the beginning of the regular Council meeting. Please refer to the Council meeting agenda, published the week before the meeting, to confirm the open portion/livestream start time.

The current Public Health Order on Gatherings and Events restricts the public from attending Council meetings in person. We welcome you to participate electronically and watch livestream council meetings. Click on the meeting date in the calendar to access the meeting agenda package, minutes and video recordings.
Tax Sale on September 27, 2021 
Property tax accounts with three years of unpaid taxes as of the last Monday in September must be sold at tax sale which, if required, will take place in Council Chambers, Municipal Hall, 2nd Floor, 7192 Lantzville Road, Lantzville, BC on Monday, September 27th at 10:00 am. Properties scheduled to go to tax sale will be advertised in the newspaper during September.
Have you Paid your Property Taxes?
Property taxes and completed Home Owner Grants (claimed through the Province of BC, if applicable) were due July 2, 2021. A 1% penalty was applied after July 2nd and a 9% penalty applies on any outstanding balance after September 30th. The District has no authority to waive or modify these penalty amounts, which are required by law.
Call for Submissions - Outdoor Artwork
Are you an artist with a new, innovative idea to beautify and enhance the village core? The District of Lantzville is seeking local artists, professionals and hobbyists alike, to submit proposals for public artwork to be located on the District road right of way adjacent to Seaview Plaza, 7221 Lantzville Road. The successful proponent will design and create a unique outdoor art installation that will add vibrancy, and foster pedestrian activity and community pride in the downtown. Project works will be funded by the District, with a preference for projects between $2,500 - $5,000. Be sure to submit your proposal by the 8:00 am, Monday, September 13, 2021 deadline.
New Payment Option: Interac e-Transfer
Customers can now choose to pay the District by Interac electronic transfer through your financial institution! Please be aware that your financial institution may charge you a service fee to send an e-transfer and may also set a limit on the amount you can send per transaction per day. Through your online banking, create a contact for the District of Lantzville using finance@lantzville.ca as the email address to which the funds will be sent. Enter the amount to be sent and then you must add in the memo section your name, property address and what the payment is for (taxes, ticket, utility bill, etc.). There is no security question attached; it is directly deposited.

Email finance@lantzville.ca or call 250.933.8085 if you have questions on how to use the electronic transfer option when making payments to the District of Lantzville. Interac e-Transfer is only available to send or receive funds in CAD from any financial institution enrolled with Interac e-Transfer within Canada. Contact your financial institution to confirm fees and limits, or to learn more about
e-Transfers.
Recreation Opportunities
The City of Nanaimo Fall Activity Guide is available and registration is open!

There are three ways to register for programs:
  1. in person at Bowen Park, Beban Park, Oliver Woods and Nanaimo Aquatic Centre
  2. by phone 250.756.5200
  3. online
  • Beban Park Pool & Weight Room opens on October 4th. The schedule will be very different than what it was before the pandemic, so users are reminded to check the latest details in the Activity Guide or online through Drop In Schedules. 
  • Pre-registered drop in will not be mandatory for swimming or skating starting Tuesday, September 7th. Participants will be able to pay at the counter at time of session. 
  • Free Everyone Welcome Skates (sponsored by Nanaimo Lions) happen every Sunday (starting September 12th) from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm at Frank Crane Arena. 
  • Free StoryWalk at Mansfield Park until September 7th. Drop in anytime to read “I Am Absolutely Too Small for School” by author Lauren Child. 

The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) Recreation and Parks fall registration is open! Be sure to check out all of the opportunities for community recreation including Oceanside Place Arena and Ravensong Aquatic Centre online.
Ravensong Aquatic Centre will re-open from the annual maintenance closure on September 13th.

Two ice sheets are now open at Oceanside Place Arena.

Visit the REC Connect webpage regularly for updates, program additions and to subscribe to the Active Living Newsletter.
Lantzville Commercial Core Revitalization Project
On August 18th, Council, along with Ian Morrison, Vice Chair of the Island Coastal Economic Trust (ICET) Board, and the public, observed Mayor Swain cut the ribbon opening the Lantzville Commercial Core Revitalization. Visit the village core to see the improvements including the separated multi-use pathway for pedestrians and cyclists, street trees, rain gardens, banner poles, seating areas, and shared on-street parking areas.

The Lantzville Commercial Core Revitalization Project ($570,389) along Lantzville Road between Caillet and Dickinson Roads was funded through the Federal Community Works Fund Grant (Gas Tax) and a generous contribution of $133,000 from the ICET Economic Infrastructure and Innovation Program. The Project contractor was David Stalker Excavating Ltd. The Project started in 2013/2014 with the preparation of a Village Commercial Core Improvement Plan that Council endorsed in 2019 as the first step to fulfill one of the fundamental goals of the Official Community Plan: Strengthen the Village Primary Commercial Core. The District is currently seeking funding for Phase II, Lantzville Road from Dickinson to Tweedhope.
Emergency Support Services Volunteers
Did you know that there are some amazing volunteers in the District of Lantzville who provide support to those displaced in emergency situations? Emergency Support Services (ESS) are available for those without insurance coverage or support from friends and family and ESS volunteers are deployed to provide short-term assistance to individuals and families who are displaced by emergencies.

Each month the ESS team meets to discuss response tactics, upcoming training opportunities, and new ways in which the team can be more efficient. All ESS volunteers in BC receive specialized training and refresher programs.

Sometimes, when disastrous events occur outside of an ESS region, volunteers can choose to be deployed beyond their area. Early this August, our team had two brave ESS volunteers from Lantzville travel to Vernon to help Emergency Support Services teams in the interior.

We are grateful and proud of our volunteers and their dedication to ensuring the wellbeing and safety of neighbours, friends and fellow residents. If you are interested in becoming an ESS volunteer, please email emergencyservices@rdn.bc.ca.

Thank-you ESS Volunteers!
Bylaw Reminders
Total Fire Ban Continues (Prohibition is in effect until public is otherwise notified)
Outdoor burning (including campfires) is NOT permitted on private and public property in the District of Lantzville. This means that any open flame of woody material, use of tiki torches, fireworks, sky lanterns, burning barrels, and Category 2 & 3 open fires are prohibited.

Campfires on private and public property, and outdoor fireplaces have been added to the outdoor burning ban issued in June. Only devices using fuel that does not create sparks/embers (propane, natural gas, camp fuel or briquettes) are allowed. All outdoor burning including incinerators and campfires are strictly prohibited. Please be aware that forest conditions are extremely dry.

Under the watering restrictions in Stage 3, sprinkling is permitted between the hours of 7:00 am to 10:00 am OR 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm for a maximum of 2 hours every other day on the following days:
  • Odd-numbered addresses on odd-numbered days
  • Even-numbered addresses on even-numbered days
Sprinkling includes watering lawns, ornamental shrubs, flowers and trees and use of pop-up spray, rotors and sprinklers.
The following are permitted at any time in Stage 3: hand-watering (trees, shrubs vegetables), drip irrigation, and micro irrigation (check regularly for leaks); washing vehicles, boats, and houses (siding) if using a hose with a shutoff device; filling fountains, pools or hot tubs; pressure washing walkways, driveways and siding. Vegetable gardens and fruit trees are exempt from all watering restrictions but watering in the early morning or in the evening is recommended - less evaporation. Apply for a new lawn permit.

Under Stage 3 residents are encouraged to voluntarily reduce their water use on top of the restriction measures that have been in place since May 1st.

As the Province of BC has declared a drought level 5, the District of Lantzville will be remaining at Stage 3 Water Restrictions which has water consumption reduced to a level that is sustainable at this time. If at any time in the near future water consumption rises to an unsustainable level, Stage 4 watering restrictions will be declared. The residents of Lantzville have a reputation of always going above and beyond when it comes to water conservation – let’s continue that great work!

Illegal Dumping Costs Everyone
From the cost to taxpayers for the clean-up, to the damage it causes to the environment, wildlife and human health, illegal dumping costs everyone. There are many alternatives in our region to legally dispose of waste and to recycle items that you no longer need. Visit the District’s website at lantzville.ca and search Waste Wizard to know What Goes Where! The Wizard will help you identify the closest location for donating, recycling or disposing of waste items, including yard waste, bulky furniture and electronics.

Report illegal dumping to Bylaw Enforcement (250.933.8092 or bylaw@lantzville.ca). If the waste includes material that results in an environmental violation, call the Provincial Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) line at 1.877.952.7277 or #7277 from cell phones.

Theft Costs Everyone Too
If you or your security camera observe anyone damaging or stealing District of Lantzville property (signs, plants, structures, etc.), please report it to the RCMP at 250.754.2345 and copy the details to the District of Lantzville at district@lantzville.ca. Unfortunately, there has been a rash of thefts of plants from the landscaping improvements in the village core, as well as damage to the Emergency Social Services storage unit.
Volunteer Vacancies 
The District of Lantzville is seeking volunteers to serve, without remuneration, to fill vacancies on the Board of Variance and the Parks & Trails Select Committee. Visit lantzville.ca or Municipal Hall to view the notice, with the attached regulations that outline the structure, duties and responsibilities of the Board of Variance (Bylaw No. 10 & Local Government Act, sections 536-544) and the Parks & Trails Select Committee (Terms of Reference), and the Council Committee System Policy No. 3000-12 (including volunteer application form).

To be considered for appointment by Council to the Board of Variance or the Parks & Trails Select Committee, please submit a Volunteer Application form from the District website or at Municipal Hall, no later than 4:00 pm, Friday, September 24, 2021 to tcoates@lantzville.ca or drop it off at Municipal Hall.

Parks & Trails Select Committee applications submitted in September 2020 will be considered and applicants do not need to reapply.
Got a Junker to Donate?
Lantzville Fire Rescue is looking for junk cars for extrication training. Vehicles donated will be picked up by Nanoose Towing free of charge. Call the Firehall at 250.390.2811 or email jmarment@lantzville.ca.
Traffic Notices
Temporary Lantzville Road Closure
At the September 8, 2021 Council meeting, Council will consider a temporary road closure from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Saturday, September 18, 2021 on the portion of Lantzville Road from the intersection of Lantzville and Ware Roads, through the village core along Lantzville Road from Caillet Road to Huddlestone Road, and then down Huddlestone Road to the entrance of Huddlestone Park, to permit the Seaside Community Society to conduct the Minetown Day children's bike parade, subject to emergency services and transit notification, adequately addressing emergency access issues, and the Society retaining a traffic control company to provide the necessary traffic control.

Copley Ridge Recreation Trail Closed
The Copley Ridge Recreation Trail remains closed for all public use due to the EXTREME FIRE HAZARD. (Trail closure is in effect until the public is otherwise notified). Fire Rescue is asking residents to consider the consequences of their actions during these extremely dry forest conditions. To report people using closed trails call Lantzville Fire Rescue at 250.390.2811 or call 911 immediately if a fire is suspected. Thank you for your cooperation.

New Traffic Safety Improvements
Drivers: please abide by the new traffic safety improvements, be sure to watch for pedestrians in the new crosswalk at Lantzville Road at Dickinson Road, and note the extension of the 30 km/hour zone along Lantzville Road to near Sabrina Road as part of the Sebastion Road improvements.
Latest Council Update
From the July 21, 2021 Regular Council Meeting
For more information, please contact the Director of Corporate Administration at 250.933.8082 or email district@lantzville.ca.