The District of Kitimat council passed a motion on Monday night to delay the third reading of the proposed bylaw to rezone land on which Tamitik Status of Women intends on building a facility.
Should bylaw 1934, the Mixed Use Social Housing Zone and Official Community Plan (OCP) Amendment bylaw, be adopted by council, it will allow for the rezoning of the current property at 461 Quatsino Blvd. from institutional to mixed-use social housing.
This is necessary if Tamitik Status of Women is to go ahead with plans for 14 transition beds, 10 second-stage housing units, 20 long-term affordable housing units, commercial space for TSW and office space for counselling and administration in the four-storey facility.
Due to a few technical issues identified by DoK staff on Monday, January 14, the decision was made to close the public hearing.
DoK spokesperson Mike Dewar said the most pressing technical issue is that through an oversight, Coast Mountain School District was not consulted about amending the zoning of 461 Quatsino Blvd.
“Although the Board is represented on Kitimat’s Advisory Planning Commission, and aware of the proposed development, formal referral is a requirement under the Local Government Act,” said Dewar.
Dewar said the technical issues will not prejudice the first and second readings - amendments are allowed after first and second readings are completed.
DoK mayor Phil Germuth said all residents that added their name to the contact list of people to be consulted will be notified in writing about the closure of the public hearing and the date of a new public hearing.
The District will advertise for another public hearing to be held in February. Date, time and venue will be confirmed in a public notice.
All letters sent to the District by concerned parties will be considered by Council before third reading and adoption.
The public hearing will be held at a larger venue so as to accommodate everyone that wishes to provide comment or hear the proceedings.
“Once the technical issues have been resolved and we do approve the bylaw, it is less likely that our decision will be challenged,” said Germuth.