This page contains annotated news stories and press releases with commentary about land reform and the democratic process in British Columbia. Our comments are shown in red.
It is very clear that there is a strong demand for a public hearing regarding Western Forest Products subdivision applications in and around Jordan River.
If you haven't already written to Wylie, asking for a public hearing on this issues, please do so at:
Bob.Wylie@gov.bc.ca
and cc maurita@dogwoodinitiative.org so we can keep a record of correspondence.
CRD wants tree-farm hearing
Regional government is latest to call for airing of subdivision
Jun 09, 2008
By Judieth Lavoie
<jlavoie@tc.canwest.com>
The Capital Regional District has joined the chorus of demands for the provincial approving officer to hold public hearings into Western Forest Products' application for 319 subdivisions on former tree-farm-licence land around Jordan River, Otter Point and Shirley.
CRD planning manager Bob Lapham said a letter has been sent to Highways Ministry approving officer Bob Wylie requesting a public hearing because of the huge interest in the future of lands west of Sooke.
A ministry spokesman said last week the approving officer is "not the correct place to go to request a public hearing."
Subdivisions are sprouting west of Sooke.
However, Lapham said the Land Title Act sets out criteria for holding a public hearing.
"It allows the approving officer to hear from individuals and all the people affected," he said.
Although the Transportation Ministry approving officer does not usually hold public hearings, they are held in some jurisdictions, Lapham said.
Numerous other requests have been made by First Nations and environmental, labour and recreational groups for hearings into the controversial development. Irene Faulkner, lawyer for the Sea-to-Sea Greenbelt Society, has written to Wylie setting out legal reasons for holding public hearings.
Public confidence needs to be restored, Faulkner said in the letter.
"Recently, a series of closed-door decisions have reversed the longtime policy that these lands not be developed," she said.
"The citizens within the capital region would find it unacceptable for your decision- making to also take place in secret."
Western Forest Products applied to develop the acreages during a hiatus between rule changes.
The CRD brought in new zoning that limits lot sizes on most of the forest and resource lands from Sooke Potholes to Port Renfrew to a minimum of 120 hectares. But while the bylaws were waiting to be signed by the province, WFP applied for the subdivisions under the old rules, meaning they are grandfathered for one year.
The zoning changes were in response to a public outcry after WFP conditionally sold 2,500 hectares of former tree farm licence land to developer Ender Ilkay.
CRD planning manager Bob Lapham said a letter has been sent to Highways Ministry approving officer Bob Wylie requesting a public hearing because of the huge interest in the future of lands west of Sooke.
A ministry spokesman said last week the approving officer is "not the correct place to go to request a public hearing."
Subdivisions are sprouting west of Sooke.
However, Lapham said the Land Title Act sets out criteria for holding a public hearing.
"It allows the approving officer to hear from individuals and all the people affected," he said.
Although the Transportation Ministry approving officer does not usually hold public hearings, they are held in some jurisdictions, Lapham said.
Numerous other requests have been made by First Nations and environmental, labour and recreational groups for hearings into the controversial development. Irene Faulkner, lawyer for the Sea-to-Sea Greenbelt Society, has written to Wylie setting out legal reasons for holding public hearings.
Public confidence needs to be restored, Faulkner said in the letter.
"Recently, a series of closed-door decisions have reversed the longtime policy that these lands not be developed," she said.
"The citizens within the capital region would find it unacceptable for your decision- making to also take place in secret."
Western Forest Products applied to develop the acreages during a hiatus between rule changes.
The CRD brought in new zoning that limits lot sizes on most of the forest and resource lands from Sooke Potholes to Port Renfrew to a minimum of 120 hectares. But while the bylaws were waiting to be signed by the province, WFP applied for the subdivisions under the old rules, meaning they are grandfathered for one year.
The zoning changes were in response to a public outcry after WFP conditionally sold 2,500 hectares of former tree farm licence land to developer Ender Ilkay.
