Author: islandword

by Danny Zanbilowicz The issue right now concerns the two processes for dealing with a proposed amendment to the Regional Growth Strategy- “standard” or “minor”. An amendment is by default considered “standard”, unless it is specifically designated as “minor”. The requirements for a standard process include consultation with the provincial Ministry of Municipal Services and Housing, and also all the affected local governments. This would mean in the 3L case that in addition to the Ministry- Comox, Courtenay, and Cumberland councils, plus neighbouring Regional District Boards, would all be required to approve the amendment. If any of them do not approve, the amendment is stalled. The “minor” amendment process only requires the approval of the Regional District Board. This makes the “standard” process much more complicated and time-consuming. Alana Mullaly, interim head of planning at the RD describes the “standard” as a “more fulsome process”. It is no wonder that 3L is so determined to avoid the standard process. It requires much more analysis and discussion, and provides critics of the proposal a lot more leeway. After a recent Board vote which rejected the “minor” option, a technicality led to a subsequent vote on July 18, in which the Board reversed itself and recommended the minor option, to be decided at another vote by the RD Board on Tuesday July 24. Board member Bob Wells, who voted for the...