A controversial development proposal that was defeated is one of the first topics of conversation for the City of New Westminster’s new land-use and planning committee.
Councillors Patrick Johnstone and Chuck Puchmayr are joining Mayor Jonathan Cote on the newly created land-use and planning committee, which has its first meeting on Sept. 14. Coun. Jaimie McEvoy will be an alternate to the committee.
Cote told the Record that one of the first items up for the committee’s consideration is a revised proposal for the Urban Academy, which sought a rezoning and amendment to the official community plan to allow the school to preserve the existing Robson Manor building and to build a new school at 101 Third Ave. In May, council defeated the application in a six to one vote, a process that left some council members concerned about the way developments are considered.
“I definitely would put that as one of a few examples where council was really saying this is not fair to anyone to get so far along in the process without having a better dialogue, and if there is problems we are better off identifying them earlier as opposed to later,” Cote said. “It (the committee) will be a good test to say, OK, let’s see where this goes and other development applications.”
The land-use and planning committee will provide advice and recommendations to council on land-use and planning manners and consider and make decisions on development applications that are authorized by the development approval procedures bylaw.
Bev Grieve, the city’s director of development services, said the Local Government Act allows council to delegate certain powers to a committee or director. Currently, Grieve has the ability to issue minor development permits (less than $100,000 value) and minor heritage alteration permits. While the new committee doesn’t have any powers, she said many municipalities (such as Port Coquitlam) have given planning-related committees the authority to consider and issue certain permits, such as development permits, temporary use permits and the issuance of notice for development variance permits.
“This is seen to be more efficient and free up council time,” she said. “Rezoning and official community plan decisions cannot be delegated.”
If someone disagreed with the decision of the land-use planning committee they can request that council reconsider the decision. It’s expected the committee will consider which, if any, powers it wishes to be delegated from council in the next few months.
