Two citizens informed me that they were unaware of the pool prohibition recommendation from both of the Geotechnical Studies. Here is my email explaining the citizen engagement process on this.
Thank you for your email.
This link will take you to the RDOS project page with links to the recent Geotechnical Review, background on the project, and a recording of the presentation by the consultants.
To answer of your questions from below:
If you have a look at the report or presentation you’ll hear why the engineers have made their recommendations (including the removal of swimming pools as a permitted use).
I’ve attached the 1992 Klohn Loenoff report which also recommends removing pools as a permitted use.
If a citizen wants to apply for a variance, a Geotech report is required so that the board can better understand the potential impact of permitting the variance.
There has been a board policy in place since 1992 that requires a Geotech report for building permits involving pools.
Individual property owners apply for variances. The RDOS Planning department/Tim Donegan can help you with this process if you like.
Public consultation on this process included:
Nov. 22, 2021 – Proposed amendments presented to the Advisory Planning Commission (APC). The APC voted in favour of the proposed amendments.
Nov. 23, 2021 – 600 notification letters mailed out to property owners advising of Dec. 7 Public Info Meeting (attached)
Dec. 7, 2021 - Public Information Meeting (this was advertised in the paper on Dec. 1, 2021, OurAreaF blog on Nov. 29, and also posted on RDOS social media and theVoyent Alert system along with the West Bench Community FB page)
Dec. 8, 2021 – Western News Article
March 15, 2022 – 600 letters mailed out to property owners advising of April 13 Public Hearing (attached)
April 13, 2022 – Public Hearing (advertised in the paper on March 30 and April 6,2022, OurAreaF blog on April 11 and 13, and also posted on RDOS social media and the Voyent Alert system along with the West Bench Community FB page)
I hope this email helps. If not, please let me know or anyone in the Planning Department can help as well. I am sorry that this came as a surprise. We really don’t want that to happen to citizens but staff provided more notice to citizens than what is legislated in an effort to ensure that the proposed amendments were well advertised.
Comments