Abbotsford city council is reconsidering a previously approved neighbourhood plan for the McKee area after discovering non-compliance with the Local Government Act.

A procedural error in the first and second readings of the bylaws on Jan. 30 was made clear to the public on March 23. Local environmentalist John Vissers is pleased with the result because it means that another public hearing, similar to the one held on March 6, is needed in order to meet the proper legislative requirements.

The McKee Neighbourhood Plan is a four-stage planning process that has been in development and planning stages since its first announcement in 2018. The McKee development will create amenities such as schools and houses, which will be anchored and connected by a new neighbourhood centre. With a goal that the neighbourhood would connect to the trials, open spaces, and parks that the McKee area is known for. On March 6, a public hearing was held to discuss the neighbourhood plan, which saw more than 50 speakers, both supporting and opposing the development plan.

Vissers, a member of the City of Abbotsford’s volunteer Community, Culture and the Environment Committee, sees this re-introduction of the plan as an opportunity to address the environmental damages that will be done and are not considered by the city’s plan. Vissers is urging members of the Abbotsford communities to speak out against this plan in the new hearing.

“It’s one of our very last opportunities to help shape the McKee community plan.” Vissers said. “This plan is going to radically alter Abbotsford’s relationship with the national environment and focus much of our future growth.”

“We have one final opportunity to have some input on how this will proceed,” he added.

Listen to the full interview with John Vissers on the McKee Neighbourhood Plan with CIVL Radio here: