You may have fewer opportunities to comment on proposed developments in Campbell River.
City council heard the latest proposed changes to the development application process during a committee of the whole meeting Tuesday.
The proposed changes include shrinking the notification area for minor variance applications from 100 to 50 meters.
Minor variances are slight changes to yard setbacks, building heights, lot coverage and off-street parking.
“It’s challenging for somebody, I think, that’s 100 meters away to really vocalize how these changes will impact them,” said Meghan Norman, the city’s development planning manager.
Norman adds public meetings wouldn’t be required for minor variances, city projects and rezoning for projects that follow the official community plan (OCP).
The OCP is a long-term document that lays out the vision for land use management.
The B.C. government already prohibits municipalities from holding public hearings on rezoning that aligns with the OCP.
“(A)nd we’re looking to take that one step further and not require neighbourhood public meetings for applications that are in alignment with the OCP,” she said.
Also included are new fees for pulling property records – $50 for residential records for properties up to a triplex and $70 for commercial, industrial and multi-residential properties.
Councillor Ben Lanyon was concerned the three day turnaround for records might put real estate deals with a quick close in jeopardy.
Norman said viewing those records usually happens three times a week so there’s already roughly a three day wait based on the demand.
She said the city would move quickly if there was staffing available and it was urgent. “We don’t want deals to fall through.”
The changes still to be approved by council.
