The elimination of public hearings for certain residential developments is not sitting well with two West Kelowna councillors.
New provincial legislation prohibits public hearings for residential housing developments that are consistent with a municipality害羞草研究所檚 Official Community Plan.
During council害羞草研究所檚 Tuesday (Feb. 27) meeting Coun. Stephen Johnston called it 害羞草研究所渓azy legislation and a strong-arm tactic害羞草研究所� by the provincial government.
害羞草研究所淭his is a reaction to the housing crisis not the cause of it. But I害羞草研究所檓 supporting it because council has no choice. We can害羞草研究所檛 run the risk of not supporting it and having someone come in and make these decisions for us.害羞草研究所�
Coun. Rick de Jong called the NDP害羞草研究所檚 sweeping housing legislation a 害羞草研究所渂oondoggle.害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所淚 had another word but I can害羞草研究所檛 say that at the table because of our council ethics policy. This is the loss of public voice at the table. It is simply wrong.害羞草研究所�
He also praised city staff as it continues to deal with legislative changes.
害羞草研究所淵ou害羞草研究所檙e trying to work within the framework the province has slammed at us while still trying to carry council害羞草研究所檚 vision forward. That害羞草研究所檚 admirable.害羞草研究所�
The changes won害羞草研究所檛 apply to all residential developments council heard.
害羞草研究所淚f less than half the project is residential, our existing public hearing process害羞草研究所till applies,害羞草研究所� explained Brent Magnan, director of development approvals.
He added that the public will still have the opportunity to provide written comments to council when it initially considers a development.
害羞草研究所淪o it害羞草研究所檚 not doing away with the ability for the public to have a say, it害羞草研究所檚 the form of which they are having a say that is a bit different.害羞草研究所�
Councillors De Jong, Carol Zannon and Garrett Millsap voted against required bylaw changes to the public hearing process, while Mayor Gord Milsom and Councillors Jason Friesen, Tasha Da Silva, and Stephen Johnston voted in favour.
READ MORE:
READ MORE:
