How to Participate in the GEORGE Public Hearing

Public Hearing re: THE GEORGE BYLAWS

October 1, 2015, 7 pm Elphinstone High School Gymnasium.

Background

The Local Government Act requires councils to conduct public hearings before adopting or amending Official Community Plans (OCP). Since the George application does not comply with the OCP in terms of its height and density, an amendment must be made to the OCP to accommodate the project. This hearing will also cover the proposed amendments to Zoning Bylaw 1065 in support of proposed OCP changes.

The Purpose of a Public Hearing

This is an open forum in which anyone who believes they will be affected by the bylaw change may make a statement to Council. Council must hear all of the community input and then make a decision.

The Process of a Public Hearing

Public hearings are carefully regulated and scripted. Communication is one-way— i.e., Council does not answer questions or comment. The meeting must be run in an evenhanded and fair way. The mayor is allowed to set time limits and other procedural rules for the conduct of the hearing. Speakers’ lists and speaking time limits are commonly used in British Columbia.

Written Submissions*

The Corporate Officer will announce at the beginning of the hearing how many written submissions were received. Those submissions will have been given to Council members. A written submission can be an excellent way to make sure that Council members understand and remember your points.

If you plan to make a written submission, it should be submitted by 5 pm on October 1, 2015. It can be sent by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

You can also provide a hard copy at Town Hall.

Oral Submissions*

You may choose to speak at the Public Hearing. If you do, be prepared to be clear and concise. Have a copy of what you are going to say and hand it to the Corporate Officer immediately afterwards for the record. Don’t wait until the end of the meeting as Council can only receive input up to the end of the hearing.

Council Action After the Hearing

After the hearing, Council may no longer hear from or receive correspondence from interested parties relating to the bylaw changes. They can only hear from their own staff, lawyers and consultants. Once the submission process is finished, Council will vote. If they choose, Council can alter the text before adopting the bylaw. But they cannot change or alter the use, nor can they increase or decrease the project’s density.

For examples of interests and reasons for making a written or verbal submission at the George public hearing click HERE