Minutes of General Meeting
November
17, 2004
Parksville
Community Centre
7:30
A.M.
Helen Sims
Michelle Jones
Bruce Cownden
Susanne Hale
Jeff Hale
Art Cowie
Mike Gallo
Susan Norgaard
John Laughland
Marilyn Hayden, Recording Secretary
Guest Speaker: Jason
Llewellyn, Manager of Planning, RDN
Guests:
Councillor
Fred Demmon, City of Parksville Liaison
Councillor Caroline Waters, City of Parksville
Manley LaFoy called the meeting
to order at 7:30 A.M. and asked for any additions to the Agenda.
Add to the Agenda under New
Business:
·
ALR Report from Art Cowie
·
Economic Development Office
report
·
Economic Summit
Manley LaFoy welcomed guest
speaker, Jason Llewellyn and turned the meeting over to him.
·
Jason Llewellyn reported that he
has been in the Manager of Planning position with the RDN since July 28, 2004.
His previous experience has been in Planning in Prince George and
Smithers, BC.
·
His major responsibilities are
with Land Use Regulation and Policy Issues.
·
Changes underway from the
Provincial Government:
o
Riparian Areas
§
30 m set back from a water
course
§
report required from qualified
Engineer
§
only speaks to fishery issues
§
projects will be dealt with on
an individual basis
o
Flood Plains
§
Ministry
staff faded out 1 year ago
§
More
responsibility been put on the developers
§
The
Province is no longer giving approvals, it has been handed over to Regional
Districts. The RDN has no expertise
in this area.
§
MOH
taking over administration for subdivision
§
Professionals
will be responsible for liability
·
Questions from around the table:
·
Clarify if a development permit
is required in the changes the RDN are making to the sea wall policy?
-
The changes will not impact in any way if a development permit is required.
It depends on individual OCP’s whether a development permit is
required.
·
Do the riparian area changes
only deal with fishery values, what about water quality?
-
30 m set back from the high water mark is in effect unless approved by a
professional.
·
How do we address urban
development parking lot?
-
It has been going in the wrong direction for the past 20 years.
In certain circumstances there is some justification for paving.
MOH and Qualicum Beach are now starting to implement much better methods.
·
In regards to Riparian areas, is
the intent to add clarity to the process?
-
The process is over when submitted to local governments.
-
The Province is now doing pilot projects.
-
Clarity is going to have to happen, as we are looking at huge development in the
region. The RDN has to react and
streamline development process.
·
Are you going to look at
municipal fuzzy urban boundaries?
-
It is not in his mandate, it would be up to the Province.
·
In regards to the new Riparian
regulations, will the 30 m set back from a watercourse include storm drainage?
-
Expect that it will include all watercourses.
The RDN does not have anything to do with setting the definitions.
-
The Riparian regulations are expected to come into effect March, 2005.
·
Are you going to notify
applicants of the changes?
-
At the present time it is business as usual until the regulations are changed.
The RDN plan on holding a series of workshops for the development
community.