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Gauging the public's preferences

Hope residents had the opportunity to provide input into proposed changes to the district’s zoning bylaw. A public open house was held last Thursday, at the recreation centre, to collect ideas, thoughts and criticism. Story boards, explaining possible changes, were displayed and questionnaires handed out to all who attended.
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Hope residents attended the District's open house on proposed changes to the zoning bylaw on Thursday afternoon. The event asked people to examine the issues and give direction on what changes are important to the community. A second meeting will be held in the fall.

Hope residents had the opportunity to provide input into proposed changes to the district’s zoning bylaw.

A public open house was held last Thursday, at the recreation centre, to collect ideas, thoughts and criticism. Story boards, explaining possible changes, were displayed and questionnaires handed out to all who attended.

“We want to anticipate future needs, we’re trying to be as proactive as possible,” said Graham Farstad of the Arlington Group, the company hired by the district to collect and analyze all the input received.

He said the questions were designed to address most of the zoning issues.

Hope’s existing Zoning bylaw dates back to 1996 and while several amendments have been made since then, major changes may be needed as the District moves forward.

Issues include secondary suites and coach houses, specific zoning for townhouses, parking standards and even the implementation of green initiatives.

“The questionnaire also has a place for comments in case there is an issue we haven’t covered,” said Farstad.

Using secondary suites as an example, Farstad said the district is attempting to gauge the public’s preferences.

“A lot of municipalities are more accommodating to secondary suites now. They are used as mortgage helpers and provide low cost rentals.”

But he wonders how Hope residents feel about them.

Anyone who did not attend the open house can still provide input. Farstad said the storyboards and the questionnaire are online at www.hope.ca and people are encouraged to fill them out.

Data will be collected until the end of June.

Once all the information has been gathered, another public open house will be held in the fall, detailing the responses and making recommendations for changes.

For more information on the zoning bylaw rewrite, or if you need help accessing the questionnaire, call Jaz Gill at the district at 604-869-5671 ext. 307.



Kevin Mills

About the Author: Kevin Mills

I have been a member of the media for the past 34 years and became editor of the Mission Record in February of 2015.
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