The District of North Saanich is calling on residents to once again weigh in on the review of the official community plan, as that hot-button issue will be back at council Dec. 6.
The public can attend in person — a maximum of 40 are permitted in the chamber — watch and participate online by registering to speak, or send in correspondence.
Critics of the review process have complained that it’s too focused on development that they say would harm the rural character of the area.
After its meeting Nov. 22, North Saanich council adjourned discussion of next steps in the review process until this week.
To date, council has only agreed to accept an updated summary report from the consultants leading the review process.
It must still deal with the question of what to do with the review process — district staff had recommended moving ahead with a revised engagement plan into the next phase of the review, but left the door open to council stopping or postponing the review process.
At the last meeting on the issue, council heard that the next engagement process will offer more in-person sessions and the advisory working group that is steering the process will check in more frequently with council.
The majority of the residents speaking at the last meeting expressed concern about the way the review has been done to date. Several have argued it should be scrapped altogether.
Council also expects to tackle motions recommending the approval of a revised budget of $127,617 in 2022 for the additional scope of the review, endorsing the next phase of public engagement in the process and new land-use options.
