A series of four motions raised at the qathet Regional District (qRD) board meeting resulted in conflict over the intent of the motions.
At the August 26 qRD board meeting, Electoral Area C director Clay Brander brought forward four motions regarding the desire to have meetings with various ministers at the coming Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) convention, that letters be written to various ministers regarding official community plan (OCP) policies being respected, and a staff report be requested on the history of development at 3930 Padgett Road.
Brander’s first motion was that the board approve the chair writing letters to the minister of health, minister of the environment and minister of transportation and infrastructure requesting that the OCP policies be respected and adhered to in the government’s permitting endeavours as it represents the growth, land use and degree of regulation that the public desires.
Brander said it has come to his attention that OCPs that are so carefully created to reflect the wishes of the public are not necessarily given the respect that they deserve by representatives of the various ministries.
“Countless hours are spent by regional district staff and the public to determine how developments should occur in the rural areas,” said Brander. “That time and effort shouldn’t be ignored.
“While the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure does include us in the conversation when subdivision applications are received, from what I understand, this isn’t a requirement because of our lack of regulatory bylaws and this courtesy could be rescinded. This is why I’d like the chair, at the board’s direction, to write to the three mentioned ministries asking that our OCPs be respected and adhered to.”
Electoral Area B director Mark Gisborne asked why the matter was time sensitive, and why it couldn’t go before the planning committee, which deals with the OCP.
Brander said the time sensitivity was in relation to two following motions regarding a request for meetings at the UBCM.
Gisborne said what was being proposed didn’t make sense.
“Are we trying to regulate the community indirectly?” asked Gisborne. “Is this a way we are going to circumvent having zoning by getting the province to do it for us? What is the intent?”
Electoral Area A director and board chair Patrick Brabazon said the intent was for him to write letters as proposed in the motion. He called the vote on the motion, which passed, with Gisborne and city director George Doubt opposed.
Brander then moved that staff be directed to enquire if a late board meeting request could be sought with the ministers of health, environment and transportation and infrastructure at the UBCM convention, which takes place in September.
He said it’s a shame that so much time is spent developing OCPs and it is recommended that all communities have them, yet in some ministries, they don’t bother to involve the regional district in the conversation.
“I’m just hoping we can get a little more buy-in,” said Brander.
Electoral Area D director Sandy McCormick suggested an amendment, adding the words regarding respecting OCPs to the end of the motion. The amendment motion carried.
Gisborne said looking at Brander’s motions, there was a later reference to development at 3930 Padgett Road.
“Is it the board’s intent to try and bring in zoning indirectly?” asked Gisborne. “We have not had much public support for zoning. This is a way to get it in through the backdoor? I can’t support this resolution. It seems unethical.”
Brabazon said he wanted Gisborne to withdraw his remark.
“You imply rather strongly that somebody on this board is acting unethically,” said Brabazon.
Gisborne said he believes the resolution is unethical, not any individual. Gisborne said, however, if it so pleases, he would withdraw it.
Brabazon called the vote, which passed, with Gisborne and Doubt opposed.
Brander then brought up a third motion that staff be directed to enquire if a late staff meeting request could be sought with the ministries of health, environment and transportation at the UBCM convention.
Gisborne said it makes him uncomfortable to send in staff when this is a political matter, in his opinion. Brabazon said he supported Gisborne’s argument, in that it was a political matter and should be left to the politicians to deal with.
Brander’s third motion carried, with Brabazon, Gisborne and Doubt opposed.
Brander then brought forward a fourth motion that a report be requested from staff on the history of the development at 3930 Padgett Road and what actions can be taken to make this development compliant to the wishes of the public. Brander said it had come to his attention that there were plans for a 20-unit manufactured home park at this address in Paradise Valley and the Area B OCP clearly states new manufactured home parks will not be encouraged in Area B due to the fact they place heavy demands on water and sewer services. He said a development in conflict with the OCP is going forward and he wanted staff to examine options that the qRD can take to insist that the development comply with the wishes of the public.
Gisborne said there was a bit of a problem in that Brander is not the director of Area B.
“I’m aware of the proposed development at 3930 Padgett Road,” said Gisborne. “Director Brander has never contacted me to talk to the Area B director about what’s going on in Area B.
“We have a code of conduct about treating each other with respect. This motion is disrespectful. It’s my community, it’s my neighbourhood and I’m the director of Area B. This is the first time I’m having any conversation with Director Brander about 3930 Padgett Road.”
Brander said he did not appreciate the aggressive comments or insinuations that Gisborne was putting towards him.
Brabazon told Gisborne he would like him to refrain from asking leading questions and attacking another director. Gisborne said his questions were not leading, they were direct.
Gisborne made a motion to refer the matter regarding 3930 Padgett Road to the planning committee. The motion passed, with Brander opposed.
