RDN director Salter seeks dark sky protections in Electoral Area F community plan

Commercial, industrial business targeted for using bright lights

RDN director Salter seeks dark sky protections in Electoral Area F community plan Published 3:30 pm Sunday, July 12, 2026 Regional District of Nanaimo director Leanne Salter wants Electoral Area F’s Official Community Plan bylaw amended to include commercial and industrial development permit area provisions for dark sky conservation in their community. Salter, who represents Coombs, Hilliers, Errington, Whiskey Creek and Meadowood, made the request at the Electoral Area Services Committee meeting on July 9. She indicated the ineffectiveness of the RDN’s dark sky policy and wants a dedicated dark skies conservancy bylaw in Area F. “It’s become quite clear that the policy doesn’t really hold much water,” she said.

“And so, for that reason, we want to get this in the OCP.” Salter wanted to address commercial and industrial businesses in residential areas using extremely bright lights. They are, she said, “impacting highway traffic and people living next door and so on.

Nothing can be done. All the people think we have a bylaw. We don’t

so we have to work on it.” Salter requested staff to prepare a draft amendment to RDN Electoral Area F OCP bylaw No. 1152, 1999 to include commercial and industrial development permit area provisions for the conservation of dark skies for RDN board’s consideration. The motion was supported by the EASC and will be presented to the RDN board for consideration.