Public engagement at forefront of bylaw update process
The regional district has strived to keep the public informed and address concerns throughout the Building Bylaw update process, according to Ashley Murphey, GM of development services for the Peace River Regional District.
The PRRD is updating its Building Bylaw to bring it into alignment with changes made at the provincial level and to the BC Building Code, as well as to allow for alternative construction methods designed to meet net-zero construction requirements.
At Thursday’s Committee of the Whole meeting, Murphey gave the board an update on the progress of the public consultation process part of updating the bylaw.
One hundred and eighty-nine people participated in the survey, which Murphey characterized as an incredible turnout. “It may not seem like a lot but when we talk about public engagement its actually really good,” she said.
Even though the building bylaw doesn’t apply anywhere in Area B, most of the respondents came from Area B. Those residents can voluntarily apply for building permits, but they’re not part of the mandatory permit area.
In answer to the question of what would make the building permit application process easier, residents cited better forms, clearer requirements, and more building inspectors as some of the items which would improve the process for them. Having clearer requirements included better application guidelines and online information.
Murphey said that many of the respondents said they’d prefer to have separate applications for residential and industrial permits.
“Currently we have just one application form no matter what type of building or addition you’re constructing. We are going to be moving to separate application types to simplify that process for applicants,” she said.
One thing that Murphey said kept popping up throughout the process so far, was the lack of certainty around what type of building requires a building permit in the regional district, and where the mandatory building permit areas are. The directors have heard the same concerns from residents.
“A lot of people don’t realize that if it’s for farm buildings, you don’t need one. We’ve got to get that message out to them,” said Fort St. John director Tony Zabinsky. “We’ve definitely got to get that communication out there to let them know what is required and what’s not.”
Farm buildings that don’t need permits include chicken coops, storage sheds, hay sheds and barns.
Area D director Leonard Hiebert agreed and hoped that there would be a list of Frequently Asked Questions available at the Open Houses, because he’s found that he’s hearing the same questions over and over.
While residents were overwhelmingly against expanding the mandatory building permit areas, there was also confusion surrounding the mandatory areas and their relationship to the fire protection areas.
Hiebert said that in the past, when the fire protection areas were expanded, the mandatory building permit areas were too, but Murphey noted that currently those areas don’t align, which is something staff will look into.
“Based on survey results it’s clear we need to do a better job of informing the public, so we want to focus on some public awareness to help put out information about the new building bylaw, make sure that the process is clear and identified for residents, and generally help raise awareness about building permits in the Regional District,” Murphey said.
The next steps in the process for updating the Building Bylaw is more consultation, in the form of Open Houses starting on February 20, which will be held in Fort St. John, Chetwynd and Dawson Creek. Regional district staff chose these locations because they are closest to the areas where building permits are mandatory.
Fort St. John’s Open House will be on February 20 at the Pomeroy Sports Centre from 6-8 p.m.; Chetwynd’s on February 21 at Tamarack Hall from 6-8 p.m.; and Dawson Creek’s will be on February 22 in the Calvin Kruk Centre from 6-8 p.m.