Jan 16, 2026

Public Notice: Misleading Council meeting advertisement in local paper

Ladysmith, BC — The Town of Ladysmith is advising residents about a misleading advertisement regarding an upcoming Council meeting that has been published in a local newspaper.

In the January 15, 2026, edition of the Ladysmith Chronicle, an advertisement directed at “Ladysmith Seniors” “concerned about rent affordability” states that a presentation will be given at the January 20, 2026, Regular Meeting of Council regarding a 79-unit seniors housing facility with affordable rent. The advertisement also states that those who attend the January 20 meeting may be permitted to voice their opinion on the project.

These statements are false. The Town has not received a development application for any such proposal.

At the January 20 meeting, Council will be considering a request by the property owner to reconsider a Remedial Action Requirement for 670 Farrell Road, which resulted from contraventions of conditions of approval for a previous development proposal.

This matter is listed as Item 6.1 in the Council agenda package.

During the council meeting:

  • The developer will have the opportunity to address Council about the Remedial Action Requirement, not a seniors housing proposal.
  • Council will not be discussing seniors housing or rent controls.
  • The public will not have an opportunity to speak about seniors housing or rent controls, as this matter is not on the agenda for the meeting.
  • Neighbours and other residents with concerns about the property may attend or watch the meeting online but will not be given an opportunity to address Council.

At a Regular Council Meeting on December 16, 2025, Council unanimously agreed to issue a Remedial Action Requirement to the owner of 670 Farrell Road due to large piles of soil on the site, and inadequately controlled runoff, creating safety and nuisance concerns.

The Remedial Action Requirement requires the owner of 670 Farrell Road to fix these issues by January 27, 2026. To satisfy the Remedial Action Requirement the owner must:

  • Install a strip or similar system along Farrell Road (designed by an engineer) to catch runoff and direct it into the Town’s stormwater system.
  • Replace existing temporary erosion controls (like silt fencing) with more durable, semi-permanent measures to properly manage runoff while the site is inactive.
  • Removing the large piles of soil from the property.

The Remedial Action Order also allows the Town to complete the above-noted actions and recover the costs from the property owner. A report on the Remedial Action Requirement is available in the December 16, 2025, Council agenda package.

“It is unfortunate that this advertisement was published in the Ladysmith Chronicle as it was not authorized or approved by the Town of Ladysmith. While residents are always welcome to attend open meetings of Council, we want to spare residents the inconvenience of attending the January 20 meeting under the false impression that they will be able to speak on an item that is not on the agenda, or a development application that has not been received,” says Nicholas Pescod, the Town’s Communications & Engagement Specialist.

The Regular Council Meeting is scheduled for January 20 at the Ladysmith Seniors Centre (630 2nd Avenue) will take place at 6:00 pm instead of the usual start time of 7:00 pm to accommodate a lengthy agenda.

Members of the public are welcome to attend. The meeting can also be watched live on YouTube.

For the latest news and updates, visit the Town’s website at www.ladysmith.ca, as well as Facebook and Instagram.

The Town of Ladysmith respectfully acknowledges that we gather and work on the unceded territory of the Stz'uminus First Nation, the traditional keepers of this land.

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