Public Hearing on Wantage Road zoning proposal set for Monday evening

Area of Proposed development area off of Wantage,
which could be developed as a work camp for major projects

One of the last items of business for the outgoing Prince Rupert City Council comes up this coming Monday evening, when Council will start up the process to review the City's plans to change the zoning of the land off of Wantage Road, a parcel of city property that once hosted the region's garbage dump.

A Public Notice of the Hearing was recently posted to the City's website, reminding the public of the Hearing to take place on Monday, November 24th at 7 PM in Council Chambers.

Residents who want to learn more about the proposal before Monday's meeting can review the relevant documents at City Hall during regular office hours of 9:30 am to 4:30 PM.

As we outlined on the blog on earlier this month, the issue was introduced to Council at the November 3rd session of council. With City Manager Robert Long outlining the proposal from the City , which would provide for temporary re-zoning of the land in order to accommodate a work camp and lay down area.

The City hopes to benefit from any potential major industrial work in the area, developing the old Garbage dump for living accommodations and a lay down work area for those workers that would arrive in the region.

You can review further background on that presentation to Council from our item of November 7th here.

The outgoing Council will get the first thoughts of the Public on Monday evening, as residents who may be directly impacted by the proposed development have their first opportunity to comment on what could a major project in their immediate area.

As well, residents of Prince Rupert who may have concerns over the development of a work camp and any associated issues that could come from such a project, will also have the chance to offer up their observations to Council.

Those that can't make the Public Hearing can provide their feedback by mail or e-mail, any comments to the Hearing topic must be delivered no later than 4:30 on November 24th.

While the newly elected council does not take office until the 8th of December, those that will be taking their place on Council at that time, will most likely want to be be in Council Chambers for the Public Hearing.

The public session will offer the best opportunity for the incoming council, particularly those new to the Council chamber, to learn how the public feels about the proposal which was described by the City Manager as thinking that is a little outside of the box.

Come December, it will be up to Mayor-elect Lee Brain and his new Council to decide what to do with the recommendations from the public regarding the Wantage Road proposal, making the final verdict on whether it stays outside of the box, or ends up on a shelf for future consideration.

For more items related to Council developments see our archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review