We have been getting a number of questions and comments recently regarding the role of the Advisory Planning Committee (APC).
There have been erroneous comments that this committee makes the final decision on applications be they rezoning, subdividing or mining etc.
The role of the APC in the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) is to be the eyes, ears and advisors to each of the directors of the electoral areas.
They are appointed by the director and endorsed by the board of the RDKB for a one-year term. There are restrictions for sitting on the committee. APC members cannot be an employee of the RDKB, or a member of the RDKB Board of Directors.
The members are volunteers and receive no remuneration. They are a very valuable component to the referral process to the Planning and Development Department as well.
The APC meetings are open to the public but these meetings are not intended to be public hearing forums. Input from the public can be provided elsewhere in the application process.
Applications and referrals with an introduction, background, implications, Official Community Plan (OCP) designation, zoning and any other pertinent information are sent from the Planning and Development Department to be reviewed as received at a monthly meeting. Comments and feedback are recorded and referred back in a report from the APC.
This is the first step that starts the application process.
It follows through with the Electoral Area Services comments and then onto the board of directors before it is sent back to the planning department, who refer it to the appropriate agencies
Referrals on mining applications are one of the processes we deal with. Referrals on mining come from FrontCounter BC to the planning department, as well as to affected ministries and local and municipal government for comments.
The APC reviews this application, along with information given by the planning department, and records its concerns, comments and recommendations and returns it to the planning department.
The process from there is as any other application or referral received and the last step is to refer it back to FrontCounter BC. FrontCounter BC allows a 30-day period to receive all information from the various levels of government and agencies it sent the notices to.
It is up to FrontCounter BC to decide if a public hearing in the communities closest to the proposed site is required. If it deems a public hearing necessary, it is then the responsibility of the applicant to set this up and bear the costs.
The province had a review process to address public issues or concerns/comments regarding any of these applications and referrals – the Ministry of Mines is the contact for this. Information can be obtained at your local Service BC office.
The APC is the first step in most applications and referrals. It makes comments; it is NOT the final say in the outcome of the application or referral. It is not its mandate for advising the public as to these applications, nor the mandate of the area directors.
Questions or comments can be made to Irene L. Perepolkin at irneperepolkin@gmail or calling 250-442-3817.
– Irene Perepolkin is Area D director for the RDKB