Councillor Whetham gave a detailed list of concerns about Bylaw 3712, which would extend the PLA (Preliminary Layout Approval) for subdivisions over 300 units for up to 8 years. This is a radical departure from normal practise and whereas most councillors saw this as a progressive move, Councillor Whetham and a number of taxpayers would like to see more research done on the potential pitfalls in the future. What are the legal ramifications for the city and for developers if provincial legislation or even the city’s own bylaws change but due to the PLA we are not able to meet those new requirements? Does this provide certainty for the city or for the developers? This bylaw is a radical departure from accepted practice and Councillor Whetham feels it fosters a speculative approach to land development.
In reference to this discussion and in support of the bylaw we heard:
Mayor Manjak
“I don’t see this as reacting. We are just responding to a normal process that we’ve been doing with this development.” in reference to Shadow Mountain.
Our question:
(As in - issuing the PLA before an Official Community Plan for that area was drawn up and where public input could have been given?)
Councillor Wavrecan
“In all the councils I’ve been involved with we have strived for to get government out of the way and in doing that don’t do it at the expense of taxpayers.”
Our question:
(As in – Cranbrook taxpayers have not suffered any infrastructure inadequacies, roads are good? no ongoing issues with the waste water or storm sewers?)
Councillor Schatchsneider
“Developers build communities. All those subdivisions were put in by developers and that’s what expanded our city. ”
Our question:
(As in don’t worry about the people, just build the houses? Do houses build community?)
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