Hello WPC Members. We are calling on everyone to get informed about the SCRD Riparian and Shoreline Protection Bylaw Amendments (Amending Zoning Bylaw No. 722.9 and 337.123) and provide feedback or attend the Public Hearing next week.
Step 1: Get Informed, it’s complicated!
- Start by watching the Riparian and Shoreline Protection Bylaw Amendments video. (Note: This video does not address all proposed changes)
- Read the SCRD Staff Report.
- Read the SCRD Public Hearing Info: June 11, 2024 News Release.
- Read the Area 'A' Advisory Planning Committee recommendations (Recommendation No. 2): July 26, 2023 Area A APC Minutes.
- Investigate the Let’s Talk Site: https://letstalk.scrd.ca/micro-policy-fix.
Step 2: Take Action.
- Send your comments via email to: publichearings@scrd.ca.
(only emailed comments are considered "on the record") - Note: If you comment on the Let’s Talk website question portal, your comments will NOT be included as part of the Public Hearing comments.
Step 3: Participate in the Public Hearing on June 24, 2024, at 7PM.
- Join virtually or in-person at the SCRD’s Main Administration Building on Field Road in Sechelt https://www.scrd.ca/public-hearings.
Sample Questions from the WPC and our Coalition Members on the Proposed Amendments:
- Why are ocean setbacks being increased from 7.5 meters to 15 meters?
- How do owners safely access waterfront without the ability to build stairs / pathways with the proposed prohibitions against hardscaping?
- Why has the SCRD ignored the feedback from the local Advisory Planning Committee?
- How does this affect one's ability to repair existing structures within new “no-build” areas?
- Would dock ramps or other structures touching waterfront land be affected by these changes?
- Why are significant increases in water setbacks and new restrictions on waterfront property being described as “housekeeping” items?
- How will owners be treated when transferring existing title and structures between the 7.5-meter setback (original setback distance) and the new 15-meter setback during a property transfer/sale? Will existing structures be considered legally non-conforming?
- Given that only a few municipalities have adopted similar bylaws, is this a new requirement of the Provincial Government? What are the current Provincial best practices for setbacks on the waterfront and when were these crafted / amended? What supporting material is available?
- Do proposed setback requirements and new no build “buffer” areas pose consequences to existing property owners? This may reduce property values and render parcels either unbuildable or not subdividable. Have these scenarios been evaluated?
- Increasing setbacks can potentially affect neighboring properties, creating a lack of privacy and sightline obstructions. Has the SCRD considered this unintended consequence?
- Where can the public review what questions have been submitted and what responses does the SCRD intend to provide?
- Is the plan to remove all land covered by water (even temporarily) from a calculation for subdivision? Given recent atmospheric rivers, would this not exclude much of the land in the Pacific coastal rainforest?
- How does the January 20, 2023 B.C. Court of Appeal decision impact our ability to develop our waterfront properties under the Riparian Areas Protection Act (RAPA)?
We encourage all our WPC coalition members outside of SCRD jurisdiction to also check their local bylaws, as similar changes seem to be happening in other areas of the province.