PORT HARDY—The District of Port Hardy is inviting the public to play a major role in the establishment of its ongoing Zoning Bylaw Review, which ramps into high gear next week with several public sessions with consultants from Urban Systems.
The District has offered a 13-question survey online through its website at www.porthardy.ca, seeking input in its first major overhaul of the Zoning Bylaw since its last revision in 2006. Time to participate in the survey is winding down, but residents have several chances for personal input with the consultants next week.
Urban Systems will host a "Coffee Talk" with informal one-on-one and group discussions Tuesday, Oct. 23, from 3-5 p.m. at Cafe Guido.
On Wednesday, informal one-on-one discussions continue during a drop-in period at District of Port Hardy council chambers from 3-5 p.m.
The week wraps up Thursday with a community open house from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in council chambers.
Urban Systems consultants will also meet with local stakeholders in an invitation-only event Monday.
The goal of the Zoning Bylaw Update is to create a comprehensive set of zoning regulations aligned with the Official Community Plan approved in 2011; to ensure ease of interpretation and use of the Zoning Bylaw; to incorporate modern best practices for land use and zoning; and to address zoning related issues of specific concern to the community.
"I'm looking forward to seeing the process completed," said Gloria Le Gal, the District's director of corporate services. "We're hoping to have the bulk of the draft finished by mid-November."
The draft bylaw would then go through a legal review and be subject to amendments by Port Hardy Council before being submitted to public readings and final passage.
"By next February, or maybe March, we'll be looking for passage of the finished Bylaw," Le Gal said.
For more information, visit the District website at www.porthardy.ca or call the District at 250-949-6665.