A developer expressed frustration about the length of time it has taken to process a rezoning application.
At the September 20 committee of the whole meeting, Alan Rebane appeared as a delegation regarding a property at 5201 Manson Avenue.
Rebane said he had sent an email to corporate officer Chris Jackson because he had become aware that his matter was not on that day’s committee of the whole agenda. The rezoning application had been given first reading at the September 1 council meeting and Rebane stated in his email that it was his clear understanding that at the next council meeting, September 22, it would be moved to second reading.
“I thought it would be here and I called the planning department,” said Rebane. “They said they hadn’t had time to deal with it. I met all of the requirements in the primary documentation that would be required to achieve the CD4 zoning.”
Rebane said the planning department has had nine months to address issues concerning the proposed development.
He said he was prepared to provide $700 per lot or unit developed, which would equate to $31,000 for social and affordable housing, on top of approximately $450,000 in development cost charges for the project.
“These numbers are really important because that’s what the developers are putting into the economy,” said Rebane.
He indicated that public consultation was appropriate at this time to see if there was public opposition to the rezoning.
“Before you move this forward, wouldn’t you want to know what the zoning should be prior to preparing the balance of the requirements?” asked Rebane. “I’m a bit concerned under the circumstances that I have waited nine months and then I’m told I’m at the mercy of the approving officer. The approving officer has boldly stated he is not in favour of this zoning. I need to understand what the process is in making me jump through the hoops to the planning department’s whims.”
Rebane said the average zoning in Powell River is three to four months.
“I’ve waited nine months,” said Rebane. “Is this acceptable?”
He requested that second reading take place at the September 22 meeting.
Director of planning services Jason Gow said he was aiming for the October 6 council meeting to have a second staff report prepared. He said he did not have time to prepare the report upon returning from time away.
Gow said the city has been going to a pre-consultation for rezoning applications. In previous projects, the city had met with the public prior to second reading, he added.
“It’s useful because it got people from the neighbourhood out so they didn’t arrive at a public hearing learning for the first time,” said Gow. “It’s an opportunity for them to hear what is going on, engage staff, and learn about that particular development. I recommend we stick to the same process for rezoning on a large scale.”
Councillor Cindy Elliott asked if the process would be completed prior to the October 6 meeting.
Gow said his recommendation would include direction to staff to begin a consultation process.
He said to Rebane that three to four months is not a typical rezoning timeline, and that once the city gets into a more complex project, the timeline is easily eight to 10 months.
Elliott said she would be in favour of moving that council give some kind of direction to assist with starting public consultation to help council be more ready on October 6.
Jackson said the committee can direct staff to conduct early public consultation in relation to the proposed bylaw and staff can still bring back a report in two weeks. He said councillors also had the option of waiting two weeks and doing it all together.
Elliott moved to direct staff to begin public consultation. The committee voted unanimously in favour.
