Welcome Guide

Welcome Guide

Welcome to Long Lake Heights Estates. This guide covers the essentials for new owners and residents — what kind of community this is, our Community Stewardship to protect our beautiful natural environment, how to get connected, and what you need to know in the first few weeks.

What Kind of Community Is This?

Long Lake Heights is a bareland strata — Strata Plan VIS 830 — governed under the BC Strata Property Act.

In a bareland strata, you own your lot and everything on it. The strata corporation owns and maintains the common property: roads, water and sewer systems, landscaped areas, forested lands, and community infrastructure. Your strata fees fund that shared maintenance and a contingency reserve for capital projects.

There are 229 homes across three development phases built between 1980 and 1981, spread across 17 streets in Nanaimo’s Uplands area. The community is professionally managed by Colyvan Pacific.

Your First Steps

1. Set Up Owner Portal Access

The Colyvan Web Portal is your secure online access point for strata documents, account information, and commonly used forms.

Portal: colyvan.condoweb.app

When your purchase completes, Colyvan Pacific will send you an email with your portal login credentials. Through the portal you can:

  • View your account balance and payment history
  • Access bylaws, AGM and council minutes, and the depreciation report
  • Download the garbage and recycling schedule
  • Access strata insurance information
  • Submit forms (including the Pre-Authorized Debit form for fee payments)

If you haven’t received portal access within a few days of moving in, contact Colyvan Pacific directly.

2. Contact Colyvan Pacific

Colyvan Pacific is the strata management company for Long Lake Heights.

  • Phone: 250-754-4001
  • Office: 4488 Wellington Road, Nanaimo, BC
  • After-hours emergency line: 1-844-549-1085
  • Strata council email: council@longlakeheights.ca

For non-urgent matters, contact the office during business hours. The after-hours line is for genuine emergencies — water breaks, sewer failures, safety hazards.

3. Join the Facebook Group

The private Facebook group is where residents share community news, ask questions, and stay connected.

Long Lake Heights — Facebook Group

Search for “Long Lake Heights Estates” on Facebook and request to join. The group is moderated and limited to residents.

Note: The Facebook group is a community forum, not a channel for bylaw or complaint matters. Those go to the strata manager.

Strata Fees

Strata fees are due on the 1st of each month. Late payments accrue interest at 10% per annum.

Payment options:

  • Pre-Authorized Debit (PAD) — the most convenient option. The PAD enrollment form is available through the owner portal or from Colyvan Pacific.
  • Post-dated cheque — payable to the strata corporation
  • Money order

Contact Colyvan Pacific to confirm your current monthly fee amount and set up your preferred payment method.

Garbage and Recycling

Curbside collection runs on Mondays, on an alternating week schedule:

  • Week A: Recycling + Organics
  • Week B: Garbage + Organics

Important: All garbage bags must be inside your bin with the lid secured. Open bags attract wildlife and will not be collected.

The current collection calendar is available through the owner portal. For service questions, contact Emterra Environmental at 250-716-3340.

See the full Garbage & Recycling page for detailed guidelines on what goes where.

Parking

  • No overnight street parking — this applies to all streets in the strata
  • Visitor parking is available in designated areas; maximum 7 days per month
  • When using visitor parking, place a dashboard note showing the address you’re visiting and the date/time frame
  • Home-based business clients must park on the business property, not in visitor stalls
  • The speed limit throughout the strata is 30 km/h

For the full parking bylaws, see Bylaws & Rules.

Before You Renovate or Build

Any exterior modification, addition, structure, or alteration to common property requires prior council approval. This includes (but is not limited to):

  • Decks, fences, sheds, carports, and outbuildings
  • Driveway changes and hardscaping
  • Exterior paint colours and materials
  • Changes to grading or drainage

Submit a written request to Colyvan Pacific before starting any work. If approved, you’ll sign an Agreement of Responsibility — Alterations to Common Property and/or Strata Lots, which transfers liability for the alteration to you as the owner — including at resale (disclosed on Form B).

Starting work without approval may result in a requirement to restore the property at your expense.

Trees

Tree removal requires council approval regardless of whether the tree is on your lot or common property. The community’s forested character is protected under the bylaws, and requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. See also the benefit of trees. 

Contact Colyvan Pacific before removing any tree.

Water Responsibility

Each homeowner is responsible for the water service line from the road to their home. If you experience reduced water pressure or suspect a leak on your lot, you’ll need to engage a licensed plumber. Report suspected leaks on common property (road and shared infrastructure) to Colyvan Pacific immediately.

Please do not flush disinfectant wipes — even “flushable” brands. Many homes in Long Lake Heights rely on individual sewer pumps, and wipes cause pump failures and costly repairs.

Mailbox Keys

If you need a replacement mailbox key please contact a locksmith. Canada Post does not manage keys.

Community Programs

Long Lake Heights runs several volunteer and community programs throughout the year:

  • FireSmart — spring wildfire preparation weekend
  • Red Bin Program — fall and spring collection of hazardous household materials
  • Invasive Species removal — spring volunteer days to remove broom and other invasive plants

Program dates are announced through the website news section and the Facebook group. See Community Programs for details.