At its Regular Council Meeting on August 5, 2026, Comox Council gave third reading to the proposed rezoning of 721 Lazo Road.
Council recognized that this was a difficult decision. It involved balancing environmental protection and the general interests of the community. Council also had to consider that this is privately owned land where the owner has development rights under provincial laws, regardless of whether this application is approved. Over the past several months, Council reviewed technical studies, heard from the public, and considered various development options before making its decision.
As part of third reading, Council added two new conditions before the zoning can be adopted.
- First, the Town will engage an independent environmental expert to review the project and confirm that it complies with all Provincial and Federal environmental laws.
- Second, all required development permits, which include a detailed environmental study, must be approved before the zoning bylaw can be adopted.
Council also recognized the public benefits of the proposal, including:
- 65% of the property will be permanently protected, with over 3 acres of the property becoming publicly owned parkland; permanently protecting Garry Oak habitat, eagle nesting habitat, older growth forest, and other important ecological features;
- new public access to the waterfront and a walking connection between the Lazo Greenway and the beach; and
- zoning changes that reduce the size of future homes by increasing setbacks, reducing building footprints, limiting house size, restricting some home occupations, and prohibiting coach houses, all measures meant to decrease environmental impact not only in the future park but also on the lots themselves.
During the public process, some statements suggested that another development option would avoid or greatly reduce environmental impacts to Garry Oak trees. The information before Council did not support that conclusion. Based on the publicly available information, those options would have resulted in more tree removal, greater impacts on Garry oak habitat, and greater impacts on established eagle nesting habitat. More information about these environmental scenarios can be found in the August 5, 2026, Council agenda (page 253).
Council concluded that this proposal, together with the added conditions, provides the best overall balance by permanently protecting over 3 acres of ecologically sensitive forest, which includes significant Garry Oak habitat, while allowing limited residential development.
There has been significant community interest in this project. Throughout the review process, the Town released more than 180 pages of technical documents, engaged with a senior ecosystem biologist from the Province, responded to more than 50 resident emails, held a 1.5-hour public information session, and participated in more than 20 hours of meetings and direct phone calls with community members. The Town appreciates the time residents have taken to learn about the proposal and share their views respectfully.
Council's decision reflects its effort to balance the environmental impacts of development with the opportunity to permanently protect more than 3 acres of ecologically sensitive land as a public nature park. If the project meets the environmental conditions required by Council, this land will be protected for generations to come.
More information, including Council reports, technical studies, and meeting materials, is available on the Town's website by visiting comox.ca/planningapplications.
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Media Contact:
Jordan Wall, Chief Administrative Officer
jwall@comox.ca
250-339-2202
