September 15 - update Public Hearing set for September 28 at 7:00 pm.
Please attend and have your voice heard.
If you can not attend - submit your feedback before September 28.
Email planning (planning@rdos.bc.ca) and please cc me (rgettens@rdos.bc.ca).
Public input will not be accepted after the Public Hearing on September 28.
Thank you.
Notice is hereby given by the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) that all persons who believe that their interest in property is affected by the Electoral Area “F” Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2461.17, 2021, will be afforded a reasonable opportunity to be heard or to present written submissions respecting matters contained in the proposed bylaws at a delegated public hearing to be held on:
Date: Tuesday, September 28, 2021 Time: 7:00 p.m. Location: https://rdos.webex.com (Event Number: 2490 925 2361/ Password: RD@S)
INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO PARTICIPATE
To participate in the electronic public hearing, please enter the text provided under “Location” (above) into the address bar of an internet browser (e.g. Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge). The Regional District is utilizing Cisco’s Webex videoconferencing services and individuals interested in participating in the public hearing are encouraged to test this service on their computer or mobile device prior to the date of the hearing.
Interested individuals may also participate in the public hearing by calling 1-833-311-4101.
Additional instructions on how to participate in an electronic public hearing are available on the Regional District’s website: www.rdos.bc.ca.
Anyone who considers themselves affected by the amendment bylaws can present written information to the Regional District prior to or at the public hearing and may also speak at the public hearing. No letter, report or representation from the public will be received after the conclusion of the public hearing.
PURPOSE OF THE BYLAW
The purpose of the proposed amendments is to permit the operation of a thrift store on the subject property. More specifically, it is proposing a textual amendment to the existing Site Specific General Commercial (C1s) zoning, to replace ‘retail store, convenience’ with ‘retail store, general’ as a permitted use.
FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information about the content of Amendment Bylaw No. 2461.17, 2021 and the land affected by them, persons are encouraged to inspect a copy of the proposed Bylaws at the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen office at 101 Martin Street, Penticton, BC, on weekdays (excluding statutory holidays) between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Basic information related to this proposal is also available at: www.rdos.bc.ca (Property & Development → Planning, Zoning & Subdivision → Current Applications → Electoral Area “F” → F2021.007-ZONE).
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AND PROTECTION OF PRIVACY ACT
Anyone who considers themselves affected by Amendment Bylaw No. 2461.17, 2021 can present written information to the Regional District prior to or at the public hearing and may also speak at the public hearing. No letter, report or representation from the public will be received after the conclusion of the public hearing.
Postal: 101 Martin St, Penticton, BC, V2A-5J9 | Tel: 250-490-4101 | Email: planning@rdos.bc.ca
September 3 - update
The Board passed first and second reading yesterday. The first two readings have to be passed in order for a public hearing to take place. The reasons I moved the first two readings are:
The Area "F" Advisory Planning Commission (APC) recommend to me (the Board) to approve the rezoning.
I have heard minimal community support for the rezoning.
Hence my preference for a public hearing. This is the most fair process to the applicant, the APC (volunteers who do an outstanding job) and the community.
Public Hearing date: TBD
What is a public hearing?
At the public hearing, all persons who believe that their interest in property is affected by the proposed bylaw must be afforded a reasonable opportunity to be heard or to present written submissions respecting matters contained in the bylaw that is the subject of the hearing.
It is an opportunity for members of the public to be heard by the Regional District Board and let their views be known.
A public hearing is also a statutory requirement for Official Community Plan (OCP) Bylaw Amendments and is utilized for most Zoning Bylaws Amendments.
Members of the public can make representations about a proposed bylaw in writing or by speaking at the public hearing.
How to participate in a public hearing
.1 Attend the public hearing
(NOTE: Generally, the public can attend a public hearing in person. However, during the Provincial State of Emergency, public hearings will be held electronically and physical attendance is not permitted).
The Chair will ask if anyone wishes to speak.
When it is your turn to speak, begin by stating your name and address clearly for the record.
Depending on turn-out at the public hearing, you may be asked by the Chair to limit your comments to 5 minutes until everyone who wishes to speak has had an opportunity to do so.
You may speak additional times after everyone has had an opportunity to speak first.
.2 Provide written comments.
You can provide written representations at any time until the close of the public hearing.
You do not have to attend a public hearing to submit written comments; you can submit your comments in advance to the Regional District.
Written comments can be submitted in the following ways:
by email to planning@rdos.bc.ca
by mail to 101 Martin Street, Penticton, BC, V2A 5J9
in person at the RDOS office during office hours
at the public hearing, for in-person public hearings only (there will be a designated area for you to submit your comments)
If you have already submitted a letter of opposition or support, you do not have to resubmit.
August 20, 2021
I've had a number of questions about the rezoning process for 2002 West Bench Drive.
Public Information Meeting - August 10
There was a Public Information Meeting (PIM) on August 10. PIMs provide neighbours and community members the opportunity to ask questions of the applicant to gain a better understanding of the proposal.
Notification of the PIM went out via:
Canada Post letter sent on July 28 to properties within 100 metres
Civic Ready alert on July 29
Penticton Western ad on August 4
I posted the meeting dates on OurAreaF.com and the West Bench Community Facebook page on August 4.
All public meetings are listed on the RDOS website.
Advisory Planning Commission - August 23
The applicant is invited to attend an Advisory Planning Commission (APC) meeting. For Area F, APC meetings are always at 7:00 pm on the fourth Monday of the month. The next APC meeting is on August 23 at 7:00 pm.
APC meetings are always public. The APC Chair manages the meeting. The APC members will vote on what recommendation will be brought to the Board. I will be in attendance as the Area F Director to observe/listen. I do not vote at the APC and usually do not ask questions or comment.
APCs provide a community perspective and a recommendation to the Board. The Board will have the final say.
Application, staff report, feedback form for 2002 West Bench Drive can be found here. Instructions to join the APC meeting this Monday, August 23 at 7:00 pm (virtual).
RDOS calendar that has all of the public meeting listed.
FEEDBACK on this proposal can be emailed to planning@rdos.bc.ca
Please let me know if you have any questions and attend on Monday if you can. It is a full agenda.