Fonds consists of the records of the Cortes Island Ratepayers Association, an organization of the property owners and residents of Cortes Island from 1963 to 1984. They include administrative documents such as the constitution and membership lists, minutes of CIRA meetings, annual reports, newsletters to members, correspondence and materials related to the provision of services, land use planning and other issues of island concern.
The fonds is composed of the following series: Administrative Documents; Minutes; Financial; Newsletters and Notices; Correspondence; Subject; Community Planning and Land Use (Advisory Planning Commission); Clippings; and Maps and Plans.
The Cortes Island Ratepayers Association (CIRA) was an association of property owners and residents formed in 1963 to "further the development of the island and to have a representative body in dealing with the Provincial government."
The first activity initiated by CIRA was to lobby the provincial government for the provision of electricity and ferry service to Cortes Island. Their efforts met with success. Electricity was brought to the island in 1970 and ferry service from Quadra Island to Cortes Island began in 1969. CIRA also became an important forum for the discussion of other important services on Cortes Island, including roads, fire protection, garbage disposal, water quality, rural mail delivery and library facilities.
As a result of CIRA's efforts to bring electricity to Cortes Island, in 1967 the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Dan Campbell, designated Cortes Island a Local Improvement District. This made Cortes Island into a legal entity for the purpose of negotiating with the province for electrical power. In that same year, Minister Campbell invited CIRA to participate in discussions and committee work on the formation of a regional district level of government.
In 1968, Cortes Island was designated 'Electoral Area I' in the Regional District of Comox-Strathcona (RDCS) with an elected director. Under this system, a Regional Director is elected who in turn sits on the Board of the RDCS. Each Regional Director appoints an Advisory Planning Commission (APC), a committee of island residents who advise the Director on matters of island concern. In 1968, CIRA determined that the elected members of the executive of CIRA would form the APC for Cortes Island. This arrangement lasted until the dissolution of CIRA in 1984. The first zoning by-law was completed in 1970 and an Official Settlement Plan and zoning by-law in 1979.
In 1982, CIRA initiated a court case against Raven Lumber for non-compliance with the Cortes Island Official Settlement Plan and zoning by-law. CIRA won the case upon appeal, but in 1984 an Order in Council allowed Raven Lumber to proceed with their development. The court case had absorbed a great deal of CIRA energy and fund raising effort over a four year period. At the General Meeting in November, 1984 there were no candidates willing to stand for the executive. CIRA was declared inactive at that meeting and was never reactivated.
Custodial History
During the term of the last president of CIRA, the records were kept in the Gorge Harbour Community Hall on Cortes Island. After the dissolution of the CIRA in 1984, the records continued to be stored in the hall. The records were transferred to the Cortes Island Museum and Archives by the Whaletown Community Club (owner of the hall) in 2000.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of the records of the Cortes Island Ratepayers Association, an organization of the property owners and residents of Cortes Island from 1963 to 1984. They include administrative documents such as the constitution and membership lists, minutes of CIRA meetings, annual reports, newsletters to members, correspondence and materials related to the provision of services, land use planning and other issues of island concern.
The fonds is composed of the following series: Administrative Documents; Minutes; Financial; Newsletters and Notices; Correspondence; Subject; Community Planning and Land Use (Advisory Planning Commission); Clippings; and Maps and Plans.
Regional Director of Electoral Area I (Cortes Island) fonds
Gilean Douglas fonds
Finding Aid
File list available
Arrangement
Materials were received in their original file folders, however the files were not in any discernible order. In the absence of original order, materials were arranged by function and subject at the series level and chronologically within series.
Basil (1910-2012) and Jill Seaton, environmentalists and naturalists, lived on Cortes Island from 1982 to 1992.
Custodial History
The Seatons gave these records to Fred Zwickel when they moved from Cortes Island; they were subsequently given to Nancy Kendel for donation to the museum in 2012.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of correspondence, notes and maps relating to the establishment of Von Donop Marine Park (now known as Háthayim Marine Park).
Storage Location
Small fonds box
Oversize materials box
Storage Range
Small fonds box 1-14 to 1-17
Oversize materials box
Series contains information on historic Crown Grants and subsequent title changes compiled by Doreen Thompson during her research for the CIMAS Windows on Whaletown exhibit in 1999. The area covered includes the northern part of Cortes Island, from just south of Gorge Harbour. Material includes maps, photocopies of original Crown Grants and other title documents, lists of subdivisions, and notes on changes of title.
Records were organized by Section or Plan number in large envelopes with a cover map and notes about the properties researched on the envelope back. They trace the ownership of parcels of land from the first grant or purchase from the Crown to 1999. Original order has been maintained.
Series contains information on historic Crown Grants and subsequent title changes compiled by Doreen Thompson during her research for the CIMAS Windows on Whaletown exhibit in 1999. The area covered includes the northern part of Cortes Island, from just south of Gorge Harbour. Material includes maps, photocopies of original Crown Grants and other title documents, lists of subdivisions, and notes on changes of title.
Records were organized by Section or Plan number in large envelopes with a cover map and notes about the properties researched on the envelope back. They trace the ownership of parcels of land from the first grant or purchase from the Crown to 1999. Original order has been maintained.
File contains a photocopied part of a map showing the locations of researched property in the Whaletown Lagoon and Whaletown Harbour area. The map is glued to an envelope which has a list of Crown grants and other conveyances on the back.
It contains photocopies of original land grants and other conveyances for the following:
Moses Ireland: 1893, Crown Grant for the W 1/2 of SW 1/4 of Sec 35 and W 1/2 of the SW 1/4 of Section 34
Joseph Youart: 1900, Crown Grant for Fractional NE 1/4 of Sec 35 (sold to Alice Robertson in 1908; "Burnside" is still in the Robertson family).
Nicholas Thompson: 1920, Crown Grant for the Fractional SW 1/4 of Sec 35
Charles Strange: 1914, Crown Grant for the NW 1/4 of Sec 35
File contains a photocopied part of a map showing the locations of researched property in the Whaletown Lagoon and Whaletown Harbour area. The map is glued to an envelope which has a list of Crown grants and other conveyances on the back.
It contains photocopies of original land grants and other conveyances for the following:
Moses Ireland: 1893, Crown Grant for the W 1/2 of SW 1/4 of Sec 35 and W 1/2 of the SW 1/4 of Section 34
Joseph Youart: 1900, Crown Grant for Fractional NE 1/4 of Sec 35 (sold to Alice Robertson in 1908; "Burnside" is still in the Robertson family).
Nicholas Thompson: 1920, Crown Grant for the Fractional SW 1/4 of Sec 35
Charles Strange: 1914, Crown Grant for the NW 1/4 of Sec 35
File contains a map key to the areas of Sections 17, 18, 19, 22 and 34 (south of Gorge Harbour) which were researched (Information in Files 3-7).
It contains photocopies of original land grants and subsequent conveyances for the following:
Reginald James Smith: 1946, Crown Grant 165414I for fractional SE 1/4 of Sec 23, 1946 (the Thunder Road subdivision at the eastern end of Gorge Harbour).
(Files 3 through 7 are from the same envelope.)
File contains a map key to the areas of Sections 17, 18, 19, 22 and 34 (south of Gorge Harbour) which were researched (Information in Files 3-7).
It contains photocopies of original land grants and subsequent conveyances for the following:
Reginald James Smith: 1946, Crown Grant 165414I for fractional SE 1/4 of Sec 23, 1946 (the Thunder Road subdivision at the eastern end of Gorge Harbour).
(Files 3 through 7 are from the same envelope.)
File contains title information and photocopies of land grants and subsequent conveyances for the following:
John Williams: 1914, Crown Grant for the fractional SW 1/4 of Sec 22 and fractional NW 1/4 of Sec 22 (east of Gorge Harbour entrance)
John Williams: 1914, Crown Grant for the fractional SW 1/4 of Sec 22 and frac. NW 1/4 of Sec 18 (west of the Gorge Harbour entrance)
File contains three oversize maps which are stored in the map cabinet: Map of Section 22, Plan VIP52378, Lots A,B,C (blueprint map; 85 cm x 54 cm, 1985); map of Plan 27966 (blueprint map; 55 cm x 43 cm, 1974); photocopy of map of fractional NW 1/4 Sec 17 (55 cm x 43 cm, 1973)
(Files 3 through 7 are from the same envelope.)
File contains title information and photocopies of land grants and subsequent conveyances for the following:
John Williams: 1914, Crown Grant for the fractional SW 1/4 of Sec 22 and fractional NW 1/4 of Sec 22 (east of Gorge Harbour entrance)
John Williams: 1914, Crown Grant for the fractional SW 1/4 of Sec 22 and frac. NW 1/4 of Sec 18 (west of the Gorge Harbour entrance)
File contains three oversize maps which are stored in the map cabinet: Map of Section 22, Plan VIP52378, Lots A,B,C (blueprint map; 85 cm x 54 cm, 1985); map of Plan 27966 (blueprint map; 55 cm x 43 cm, 1974); photocopy of map of fractional NW 1/4 Sec 17 (55 cm x 43 cm, 1973)
(Files 3 through 7 are from the same envelope.)
File contains a coloured map with researched properties coloured in, and title information and photocopies of land grants and subsequent conveyances for the following:
Edward James Breeze: 1931, Crown Grant for District Lot 1373 (parts of Section 23 and Section 17, at the southeast end of Gorge Harbour by Anvil Lake)
Frank Harper: 1913, Crown Grant for the NE 96 acres of Section 23 (at the northeast end of Gorge Harbour)
(Files 3 through 7 are from the same envelope.)
File contains a coloured map with researched properties coloured in, and title information and photocopies of land grants and subsequent conveyances for the following:
Edward James Breeze: 1931, Crown Grant for District Lot 1373 (parts of Section 23 and Section 17, at the southeast end of Gorge Harbour by Anvil Lake)
Frank Harper: 1913, Crown Grant for the NE 96 acres of Section 23 (at the northeast end of Gorge Harbour)
(Files 3 through 7 are from the same envelope.)
File contains information for the following properties:
E. H. Vaughn: 1893, Crown Grant for fractional N 1/2 of Sec. 22; 90 acres for $90.00.
James P. Allen: 1913, Crown Grant for NW 34 acres of Sec. 23; $170.00
Bernard Robinson Allen: 1919, Crown Grant for SW 1/4 of Sec. 23, 159 acres
Charles Allen: 1912, Crown Grant for SW 1/4 of Sec. 33; 160 acres for $160.00
Harold Marshall Wood: Crown Grant for E 1/2 of NE 1/4 of Sec. 46 (east of Carrington Bay); 81 acres for $1.00.
File contains the following maps, stored in the Map Cabinet:
Subdivision Plan of parcel C & E, NW 1/4 of Sec. 21, 1976
Subdivision of the fractional NE 1/4 of Sec 21, 1966; with names of property owners penciled in
Subdivision Plan of Parcel C and part of Parcel E of fractional NE 1/4 of Sec. 21, 1975
Subdivision Plan of fractional NE 1/4 of Sec. 21 and W 1/2 of SW 1/4 of Sec. 34
(Files 17 through 19 are from the same envelope.)
File contains information for the following properties:
E. H. Vaughn: 1893, Crown Grant for fractional N 1/2 of Sec. 22; 90 acres for $90.00.
James P. Allen: 1913, Crown Grant for NW 34 acres of Sec. 23; $170.00
Bernard Robinson Allen: 1919, Crown Grant for SW 1/4 of Sec. 23, 159 acres
Charles Allen: 1912, Crown Grant for SW 1/4 of Sec. 33; 160 acres for $160.00
Harold Marshall Wood: Crown Grant for E 1/2 of NE 1/4 of Sec. 46 (east of Carrington Bay); 81 acres for $1.00.
File contains the following maps, stored in the Map Cabinet:
Subdivision Plan of parcel C & E, NW 1/4 of Sec. 21, 1976
Subdivision of the fractional NE 1/4 of Sec 21, 1966; with names of property owners penciled in
Subdivision Plan of Parcel C and part of Parcel E of fractional NE 1/4 of Sec. 21, 1975
Subdivision Plan of fractional NE 1/4 of Sec. 21 and W 1/2 of SW 1/4 of Sec. 34
(Files 17 through 19 are from the same envelope.)
Series consists of materials relating to the Cortes Island Official Community Plan (OCP) and the Zoning Bylaw. It includes copies of the first and second Official Community Plans (1979 and 1995) and the first and second Zoning Bylaws (1970 and 2002). There are materials from an OCP revision (1992 -1995) and a Zoning Bylaw revision (ca. 1998-2003) including annotated draft copies, detailed APC commentary, correspondence, background materials and minutes of public meetings; Plan Maps and maps of Cortes properties.
?? cm of textual records; 4 cerlox-bound map books
Scope and Content
Series consists of materials relating to the Cortes Island Official Community Plan (OCP) and the Zoning Bylaw. It includes copies of the first and second Official Community Plans (1979 and 1995) and the first and second Zoning Bylaws (1970 and 2002). There are materials from an OCP revision (1992 -1995) and a Zoning Bylaw revision (ca. 1998-2003) including annotated draft copies, detailed APC commentary, correspondence, background materials and minutes of public meetings; Plan Maps and maps of Cortes properties.
File contains Plan Map Schedule A-1, Development Proposal Referral forms about changing the zoning bylaw designations to reflect the Official Community Plan of 1995, the agenda for an APC meeting and photocopies of FOCI/CIFC maps of Cortes Island land tenure.
File contains Plan Map Schedule A-1, Development Proposal Referral forms about changing the zoning bylaw designations to reflect the Official Community Plan of 1995, the agenda for an APC meeting and photocopies of FOCI/CIFC maps of Cortes Island land tenure.
File contains correspondence re Aquaculture bylaw #2300, a draft Cortes Island zoning bylaw (2001), and a map, the Official Community Plan Map Schedule A, 1993 and Bylaw 1896 to amend the OCP if 1995.
File contains correspondence re Aquaculture bylaw #2300, a draft Cortes Island zoning bylaw (2001), and a map, the Official Community Plan Map Schedule A, 1993 and Bylaw 1896 to amend the OCP if 1995.
File contains a copy of the bylaw and map of 1995, a summary of the changes (meant to reconcile 25 year gap between the previous zoning bylaws and the current OCP), and a completion and adoption strategy.
File contains a copy of the bylaw and map of 1995, a summary of the changes (meant to reconcile 25 year gap between the previous zoning bylaws and the current OCP), and a completion and adoption strategy.
