Monday, April 12, 2021

Public offered ZOOM option for Public Hearing into Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaws

The future for development in Prince Rupert is the theme
for tonight's Zoom Public Hearing at 5:30 PM

Before the day is out, Prince Rupert may have a new Official Community Plan and zoning bylaws in place, with City Council set for a hectic few hours from late afternoon on into the evening.

As part of the day's work, Council will be hosting the much anticipated and somewhat delayed Public Forum on their Official Community Plan ambitions, with a significant change put in place on Friday towards public participation.

As we noted on Friday morning, the original notice from the city was one of a potential phone in process and/or email commentary to make for the public's final word on the year long process of Community planning. 

That as the city continued on with its socially distant access policies for the public when it comes to civic matters.

However, by the noon hour on Friday that plan had been reworked to shift to a Zoom participation event, with the details outlined in a public notice that includes the password required for participation in the 5:30 PM event.

The Zoom link can be accessed here. Use the information above access the session.

Prince Rupert Mayor Lee Brain also shared out the information on Friday through his Social media stream, making note towards this evening's Public Hearing, which will also be live streamed through the City website for those at home that wish to follow along with the process and any comments and/or questions raised by the public.


The City's Corporate Administrator, Rosa Miller, provided further background on tonight's Public Hearing plans through the City's Facebook page as well, outlining the process for contribution and the alternatives available for those that may not be able to make the early evening session.


The five thirty start time may make for a bit of a challenge for many residents to make for participation, falling as it does over the dinner hour for most and a period of the day where many parents are tending to their youngsters.

So it will be with some interest that those who follow City Hall developments will be watching to see how much participation the city council members receive and how much interest the changing plans for access have generated.

Hopefully, the City will archive the public hearing as part of their YouTube collection of civic themes, for further review by those who may not be able to take part in the community engagement plans.


Later in the evening, as part of their Regular Council session starting at 7 PM, the City's Mayor and Councillors will be asked to provide for their Third Reading and final approval for the Official Community Plan.

If passed tonight, the document will be the guiding blue print for development of the city for the next five years at least.

We received some of the background to the path towards adoption of the Official Community Plant through the last year,

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

More notes on tonight's Council session can be reviewed from our Council Preview feature.

Other items of note related to civic planning can be explored here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.

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