As things turn out, the city will move ahead without the in person, public part, of the public hearing.
The Notice of the Hearing can be found in the back pages of the weekly newspaper, with a near one page advertisement that provides notice of the event, as well as to advise the public that they can't attend owing to COVID measures.
"In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure social distancing, in person attendance at this meeting is closed to the public. Therefore the proposed bylaws, permit and relevant reports may be inspected or obtained from the Prince Rupert website, from March 29, onwards.
We strongly encourage residents to submit their support or opposition in writing to Administration Department, City Hall, 424 3rd Avenue West, Prince Rupert, BC"
The Hearing which will take place outside of the regular Council session of the same night, with a 5:30 PM start time on Monday, April 12th.
It's not indicated in the city's advertisement if the hearing, such as it is, will be streamed live on the city's website and archived for future reference; that at least putting the process on the public record in some form.
The notification is one that is seemingly only for those who read the local paper from front to back page, with no mention of the Public Hearing that excludes the presence of the public, to be found on the city's website or the range of social media feeds that they host, including Mayor Lee Brain's own portal of information sharing.
It wasn't all that long ago that Council members had been speaking of hoping to find a way to engage the public on the major undertaking that will reshape how the city looks.
"The whole concept of public hearing has become very much more different, so I'm interested in what plans there are to ensure that we can have a robust public process so that people can have access to us to adequately address their concerns" -- Councillor Nick Adey (December 2020)
"We were going to try to do a public meeting at this meeting for the OCP and obviously due to the health orders we've delayed it and I think at this point we're going to just have to play it out by ear when it's appropriate for us to be able to host a public hearing. I don't think we rush into getting this complete until such time as this community has an ability to participate ... I think we're going to have to reassess in the new year and figure out what the right time is going to look like" -- Mayor Lee Brain (December 2020)
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"When you look at the package en masse, there's just a whole lot of really I think forward thinking concepts in there, so I'm very supportive of it and I would hope that the public process that follows will allow the public access to also appreciate the scope and the comprehensiveness of the plan.
I guess the only question that I have then around that though, is given that we're under some limitations because of the COVID, what then do we know about what that public consulation process will look like at the moment" -- Councillor Nick Adey, once again (Jan 2021)
"Ideally, in my view I would really like to be able to try to see if we can do the fifty person thing in the Civic Centre to make sure that people can show up and actually voice themselves.
I'm not too keen on doing a Zoom public hearing, even though yes we technically could do it that way.
So perhaps maybe throughout the month of February we can play it out by ear to see where the regulations are going to go given the status of the pandemic. But I think I speak for Council when we're all kind of wanting to ensure that this gets the attention it needs and deserves and that the people have the opportunity to comment.
So, I don't know how much of a rush we're in to have this all fully completed, but in the meantime obviously we should start with the zoning bylaw engagement just to get some more information out there and then maybe play it out by ear and then maybe report back to council at some time in one of our February meetings to see how the Public Hearing is going to play out" -- Mayor Lee Brain, once again (January 2021)
Council is seems has decided they are not willing to wait a few more months now to see if the community returns to some level of more normal times by the summer, a period which may offer the potential to host a proper Public gathering again.
With the notice of this week, it would appear that they would now just rather get the whole process of final approval underway and out of the way so as to launch the new era that beckons.
Having only recently embraced the idea of a Zoom Council session, (Prince Rupert finally catching up on other communities after a six month or so delay).
The Council members and staff have seemingly not reached the chapter in the Zoom Guide that allows for a speakers list of community participants to pop up on the screen to ask questions ... kind of what might actually happen in a Public Hearing!
Instead, it appears that they will rely on the relay of any information through the office of the Corporate Administrator.
Towards the end of their print advisory, the City outlines how the public can share some thoughts pro or con, when it comes to the grand proposals for our future, with all communications to be directed towards Ms. Rosa Miller's office.
"Enquiries and comments may be submitted by mail or by email and must be received no later than 12 Noon, on the day of the meeting.
All correspondences submitted will form part of the public record and may be published in a meeting agenda.
- Send your comments to Council by emailing rosamaria.miller@princerupert.ca
- Mail your comments by post to Administration Department, City Hall, 424 3rd Avenue West, Prince Rupert BC
- Leave your comments at City Hall , 423 3rd Avenue West, Prince Rupert.
Though you might be best advised to use email, or slide your comments through the mail slot or taped to the door; what with the lack of advance notice towards the mailing deadline making things rather tight from publication of the notice this week to the closing time for participation.
Council has offered up the opportunity for members of the public to participate by telephone, asking that those with an interest in the Official Community Plan and Zoning changes register with Ms. Miller for a spot in the callers segment.
"Alternatively, you may register to speak by telephone at the Public Hearing by:
Emailing the meeting date, agenda item you wish to speak to, and your phone number to rosamaria.miller@princerupert.ca or,
By calling 250-627-0963 and specifying which agenda item you wish to speak to."
The Public Hearing notes end by observing that opportunity to phone in during the meeting will be available, with an advisory to watch the city website for details.
A portal that of late which hasn't been particularly informative on key civic issues.
We will find out how many residents wish to call in to Prince Rupert's newest talk show, sometime after 5:30 on Monday evening.
The City of Prince Rupert page on the Official Community plan and Zoning bylaw themes can be reviewed here.
Some of our past notes on the Official Community Plan, Zoning changes and Council's themes of public engagement can be found below:
March 2021 -- Zoning Bylaw Survey participation and results bring some surprise, some disappointment and some appreciation from Council members
January 2021 -- Many of City Council's big plans await expanded public consultation and some Public Hearings
January 2021 -- City's planning consultants to provide a range of reports for Council review this evening
December 2020 -- Prince Rupert Council looks to remain engage on climate issues as part of OCP review
December 2020 -- City Council moves forward and stand still for the moment on OCP and Zoning themes
September 2020 -- City unveils Draft Official Community Plan, starts booking appointments for sessions with Mayor and contract planner Rob Buchan
August 2020 -- Prince Rupert's Official Community Plan consultation goes online through Rupert Talks platform
June 2020 -- City's Official Community Plan review to put focus towards on line engagement
February 2020 -- City of Prince Rupert seeks comment on Official Community Plan renewal initiative
January 2020 -- Vision Steward Council to put Prince Rupert's 2030 vision plans in motion
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Update: Late in the morning on Friday, the City of Prince Rupert posted additional information on the Public Hearing process to the City Website, shifting the public participation process to that of a Zoom Meeting.
More notes on the work of Prince Rupert City Council can be explored from our Council Discussion archive.
Cross posted from the North Coast Review.
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