While the municipal planning commission has been officially disbanded, any mention of the committee must now be eliminated from all municipal documents.
During its Jan. 13 regular meeting, city council gave three readings to amendments to the official community plan bylaw and the zoning bylaw; council voted 6-1 on each reading, with Coun. Brian Swanson opposed.
Since neither vote on either amendment was unanimous, both must come back to a future council meeting to receive official approval.
Disbanding the municipal planning commission requires bylaw amendments to the official community plan (OCP) and the zoning bylaw and to remove the commission from the review process of planning matters, a report to council explained.
Amendments to the OCP require the approval of the minister of Government Relations, while the bylaw amendment will not take effect until the minister has signed it.
Sections in the OCP where mention of the municipal planning commission will be eliminated include neighbourhood designation and design; supply, type and compatibility of commercial and industrial land and uses; school and community building sites; protecting and enhancing the Wakamow Valley and associated watercourses; heritage buildings; urban design policies; contract zoning; direct control district; and public consultation in the planning process.
Sections in the zoning bylaw where mention of the municipal planning committee will be eliminated include four paragraphs related to discretionary use application process.
The next regular council meeting will be Monday, Jan. 27.
