Residents of qathet Regional District will be receiving additional notice of public hearings in the future.
At the March 25 regional board meeting, directors considered a motion to have three notices of public hearings posted in copies of local newspapers, as opposed to two, which was the policy of the regional district.
Electoral Area B director Mark Gisborne said he thought the motion touched on an important issue that should not be solely contained to the planning service. He said based on what is in the staff report, where the existing practice for public notice has not been compliant with the legislation, concern was brought up by a member of the public in regard to an Area B official community plan meeting that was held last year. He asked if the regional district should redo that meeting because there was not adequate public notice.
“I just want to make sure we are following the rules,” said Gisborne.
He added that reading through documentation provided by staff, the regional district hosts public hearings and public engagement sessions that are not part of the planning service. He said in the April committee of the whole meeting, he is going to bring forward a motion that the regional district should also update its public engagement policy for public notice as well.
Manager of planning services Laura Roddan said in terms of the validity of the public hearing that was held in November of 2020, for the Area B official community plan amending bylaw, when staff was completing the research, the regional district had legal advice. She said the question was asked about the validity of the hearing.
“Unless a concern was raised, questioning the validity of the hearing within one month of the hearing that was held, then it stands,” said Roddan. “I don’t believe there is any requirement to redo that public hearing.”
Regional board chair Patrick Brabazon said Roddan was indicating that a complaint about the validity was not raised within the legal time limit, therefore time had expired. Roddan said that was the case.
The board carried a motion to post notice of public hearing in two consecutive issues of a local newspaper, plus an additional publication. The final notice will be published not less than three full days and not more than 10 days before the public hearing. Staff will also post notice of public hearings on the regional district notice board at least two full weeks prior to the public hearing.
Staff will also ensure a copy of the proposed bylaw is available for inspection by the public in the regional district office and on the website, at least two full weeks prior to the public hearing.
