Speaking at a Public Hearing

A Public Hearing is held for the purpose of Council receiving comments from the public, either in person, by attorney or by letter. At a Public Hearing, any person present who believes that his or her interest in property is affected by a proposed bylaw shall be given an opportunity to be heard. Council wants to hear from you. This is not, however, an opportunity for you to display or distribute information to other members of the public. It is an opportunity for the you to address Council.

If you would like to speak at the Hearing and there are several speakers, a Speaker’s List may be used. Please sign your name and residential address on the Speaker’s List. Speakers will be called in the in which they appear on the list. Please start by stating your name and address. Your comments must be specifically related to the subject of the Bylaw and be directed to the Chair. There is no opportunity at the hearing to debate points of view expressed by other speakers at the hearing.

Following your presentation, members of Council may ask you to clarify points you have raised. However, the main function of a Public Hearing is to listen to your view. Council will not debate the merits of the proposed bylaw nor enter into dialogue with the Public at the hearing.

It is important to note and understand that Council has not made up its mind on the issue. Nothing is “fait accompli”. While a Council member may have a position on an issue, they each come to the hearing with an open mind, to listen to and hear from the public. You are being given the opportunity to persuade each member of Council to your way of thinking. Each person does make a difference. Please speak up.

No member of the public who deems his or her interest in property is to be affected will be, or should feel, discouraged, intimidated or otherwise prevented from making his or her views known. Therefore, please refrain from applause or other expressions of emotion whether you favour or oppose any particular application or argument. Inappropriate language, outbursts or criticisms aimed at individuals or groups will not be tolerated.

Written submissions will form part of the public record and cannot be received after the Hearing closes. Be sure to submit your letters or written comments before or during the hearing. All documents received during the Hearing are available to the public for review. Please speak with the Clerk at the Hearing to review the document during the hearing.

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Hearing Process

The following is the usual order of business at a Public Hearing but is subject to change.

1. OPENING THE HEARING - The Chair (Mayor)
2. INDIVIDUAL APPLICATION - The Chair will call upon the following to speak, in the order designated, on each application:
   1. Community Development Staff
   2. Applicant
   3. Public comments
   4. Questions from Council
   5. Further public comments on additional information (if required)
   6. NOTE: Questions from the public or Council must be addressed to the Mayor
3. Proceed to the next item on the agenda, if more than one bylaw
4. The Chair will call three times for any further speakers and hearing none will declare the public hearing closed.

If additional information or further public input is desired by Council, Council may recess the Hearing instead of closing the Hearing. If Council recesses the Hearing to a specific date, time and place, no further advertising of the Hearing is required.

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After the Public Hearing is Closed

Council members are not permitted to receive further submissions or hear either a proponent or opponent to an application once the Public Hearing has been concluded.

After concluding the Public Hearing, Council will then resume the regular or special Council Meeting. The related zoning or official community plan bylaws to permit the proposed changes are then brought forward for consideration of third reading under the Bylaw section of the Council agenda later in the same evening, if on the agenda, or at the next available open meeting at which time Council members discuss, express opinions and make a decision. Council may either:

• adopt or defeat the bylaw;
• alter then adopt the bylaw provided that the alteration does not change the use;
• increase the density; or
• without the owner’s consent, decrease the density of any area from that originally specified in the bylaw.

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Questions?

If you have questions on the Public Hearing process, please call the Corporate Services Department at 604.815.5006 or the Planning Department at 604.815.5002.

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