COURTENAY, B.C- The next step in determining whether or not a settlement node will be added to the Comox Valley could be put on hold tomorrow.
According to the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) agenda for tomorrow afternoon, the district has received a letter from 3L Developments Inc.
The letter is asking for an extension in order to prepare new information, which would impact a recommendation for denial that came from a staff report that was set to be presented to the CVRD board tomorrow.
The request is the latest development in an ongoing process, stemming by a development proposal from the company.
3L is aiming to build 1,000 homes on land in and around the meeting point of the Puntledge and Brown rivers, with private water and wastewater services.
The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) has consistently disagreed with the company’s plans, which led to a court battle.
3L won, with the B.C Supreme Court ordering the CVRD to consider the development as an amendment to their plans for growth in the Valley, which would require the addition of a settlement node to the district’s Regional Growth Strategy (RGS).
A recent open house in September was part of a consultation plan approved by the district, which is looking at the change to the growth plan as a standard amendment.
According to the agenda documents for tomorrow’s meeting, the steering committee for the RGS has met twice, on September 20th and 27th.
Both times, the committee was reviewing reports from the Technical Advisory Committee, made up of CAO’s from each community in the Valley and planning representatives. They had been looking at the relative need for a new settlement node, as well as the impacts of a new node.
“At their September 27, 2018 meeting, the Steering Committee endorsed TAC’s recommendation to deny the application to create a new Settlement Node,” read the agenda.
“The Steering Committee recommends that the board deny 3L Development Inc.’s application.”
According to the agenda, the foundational principle underlining the recommendation is that a new node isn’t needed “at this time” due to the relative housing unit supply, population projections, and demographic trends in the valley.
The agenda also states that the board is under no obligation to continue 3L’s application.
Staff of the CVRD have included the company’s letter, which was received on October 1st, as information for the board.
“Of note, the request makes reference to the Comox Valley Regional District Planning and Fees Bylaw No. 328, 2014, which does not apply to the Comox Valley RGS,” read the agenda.
Staff indicate that the board can consider granting the company’s request, or proceed with consideration of the options, information, and recommendations contained in their previous staff report.
“Should the board consider the extension, the board approved consultation plan would have to be placed on hold meaning that no open house or public hearing would occur in 2018,” read the agenda.
“Further, staff estimate three months would be required in order for 3L’s new information to be submitted and a revised consultation plan be presented to the Board. Staff estimates the revised consultation plan could be submitted to a January 2019 Board meeting.”
The letter sent by 3L is included in full below.
The meeting will start at 4:00 p.m. at the CVRD boardroom tomorrow.
