Speak up on OCP

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Parksville’s council has finally allowed the public to see their draft of a revised Official Community Plan.

In the 267 pages, are many large changes for our city.

One vast change is a new, single-family lot designation called Small Lot Residential Zone (SLR-1). These subdivisions will be allowed in a new zone called transitional residential land. These can be seen on the land use map and are different places in the city.

But, SLR-1 will also be allowed next to your single family lot.  This will be allowed in something called “infill.” So, two lots could be put together to make three or five lots, or many more anywhere in single family residential areas in Parksville.

Currently, the minimum size of lots in 560 sq. meters. The new draft zoning bylaw will allow a minimum of 300 sq. meters.

Already, before the public is even aware of this possibility, there have been three applications for approval to the Advisory Planning Commission, two in November of 2012 and one on January 31, 2013.  None of these have come before council and all need a change in the OCP before they can come to council.

The planning department has already drafted a Small Lot Residential Zone, before the OCP has been changed.

It will be too late to inform council that this is not your vision of Parksville once the draft OCP is passed. Please speak up to council, or the OCP review or some other way if this current proposal buried in the draft OCP is not your vision.

I am still left to wonder why council has not engaged in an open consultation with residents with such a fundamental change.

Elaine Hofer

Parksville