Concerns over limited public awareness of B次元官网网址榮ignificantB次元官网网址� projects in Sidney have prompted one councillor to ask for a broader discussion on the issue.

Coun. Peter Wainwright asked municipal staff to review a series of recommendations made by the Sidney Community Association (SCA) earlier in January, following a public presentation made by the Jocelyn Gifford, president of the SCA, on what they called significant projects in town. He said he found the SCAB次元官网网址檚 feedback on the issue constructive, adding he found himself supporting some of their ideas.

Wainwright, in a presentation to council, noted that the term B次元官网网址榮ignificant projectsB次元官网网址� refers to proposals for new buildings, or major renovations to existing buildings, in SidneyB次元官网网址檚 commercial area B次元官网网址� mainly the downtown core B次元官网网址� regardless of number of storeys.

The Community Association, Wainwright outlined, is recommending proponents of such projects hold public meetings to present these types of developments, prior to the submission of complete applications by a developer to the Town. Wainwright added it would be hard to enforce this, as a proponent could simply B次元官网网址済o through the motionsB次元官网网址�.

The SCA also asked that significant development proposals be advertised by the Town in the local paper, much like whatB次元官网网址檚 done for rezoning and official community plan variances. Wainwright recommended the Town consider doing so, unless thereB次元官网网址檚 a planned public hearing on the project, which brings with it advertising of its own.

Wainwright disagreed with the SCA on two more points: notifying the community when significant projects are to be discussed at a committee of the whole meeting (the Town already advertises these meetings on the TownB次元官网网址檚 website three to four days in advance), and; on showing pictures of a project to the community.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 not in favour of this,B次元官网网址� Wainwright stated, noting first drafts are always subject to change. B次元官网网址淚 feel that people should look at the final plans and not form an option based on an early illustration.B次元官网网址�

Wainwright, in his report, agreed with the SCA that notices of new applications for significant projects be posted on the TownB次元官网网址檚 website, and that the radius for notices to go out on such developments be expanded to 225 metres.

Council voted in favour of having staff review the recommendations and reporting back at a later date for discussion on the impacts of those suggestions.

editor@peninsulanewsreview.com
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