Updates to include additional environmental considerations
The City of Campbell River is requesting public input on intended revisions to the Sustainable Official Community Plan (SOCP). City Council will consider the proposed changes to the SOCP, including public feedback, during a meeting in the fall.
The two revisions under consideration are the addition of Great Blue Herons to the Bald Eagle Development Permit Area, and the inclusion of environmental values such as wildlife habitat protection in the Hazard Conditions (Steep Slope) Development Permit Guidelines.
“The current guidelines do not consider the habitat that our community shares with Great Blue Herons,” says Jason Locke, the City’s manager of Long Range Planning and Sustainability. “The guidelines providing direction for development on steep slopes need to be strengthened, not only to reduce hazards and risk to people and property, but also to include environmental values that are important to our community.”
Throughout the month of November, City staff will use an online survey, direct contact with local specialists and professionals, and a virtual public meeting to collect important feedback on these updates to community guidelines. This feedback will help inform the final bylaw amendment that will be presented to Council for adoption. The virtual public meeting will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 24, from 6 to 7 p.m..
Details regarding the reasoning for the recommended changes can be found in reports provided to Council at the Council meetings on Nov. 2, 2020; Nov. 16, 2020; and Aug. 9. The reports are available online at https://bit.ly/3Hctt3G.
The exact changes proposed to the Environmental Protection Bylaw, including draft markups showing deletions and additions to the Development Permit Area guidelines, can be viewed online at campbellriver.ca/ocp-review.
Please share your comments and observations on the revisions to the SOCP by completing the survey at campbellriver.ca/ocp-review.
Written comments and requests to be invited to the virtual public hearing will be accepted at sustainability@campbellriver.ca until 4 p.m. on Nov. 23. Paper copies can be delivered to City Hall at 301 St. Ann’s Road, Campbell River, BC V9W 4C7 (care of Long Range Planning and Sustainability).
FULL NEWS RELEASE
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Contact: Terri Martin, Environmental Specialist 250-286-5711