性视界传媒 city council's regular Monday night meetings typically get underway with a public hearing, but not this time.
"It is disappointing but we are not able to hold public hearings for a number of new developments," 性视界传媒 Mayor Brenda Locke said, taking aim at NDP legislation that was introduced in 2023.
Oct. 21 saw a rare occurrence when there were no items on the agenda for consideration on account of legislation the provincial government introduced last November (Bill 44) prohibiting civic governments from holding a public hearing when a proposed zoning bylaw permits residential development consistent with the Official Community Plan.
"No public hearings tonight, and it is notable that there is no public hearing items on tonight's council agenda," Locke said. "Since that time the number of residential development projects that the council would otherwise have had the opportunity to hear from residents in public hearing forum has been reduced significantly and tonight is an example of that."
Locke noted that during some council meetings over the past year the number of public hearings that "otherwise would have been held" has been reduced by more than 50 per cent.
"Some of these projects represent significant change to an existing neighbourhood and local governments should have the direction to host public hearings and to hear from the residents in a matter that best serves their own community," she argued.
