During a zoning change request at last week's city council meeting, councillors swung between wanting to engage the public on decisions they make, and reducing red tape in municipal process.

Residents of the Thomas Brook neighbourhood of Revelstoke, which is near the ski resort, have an application before city council to change the zoning on their lot so they can subdivide it into three. Richard and Margaret Smith will keep their dwelling on one lot, and sell off the two vacant lots.

The request follows Revelstoke's Official City Plan, said city planner Erica Hartling. Bill 26, a provincial law passed in November, 2021 legislates that zoning change requests that follow municipality's OCPs and don't require any changes from city staff, can be given  first, second and third reading and adoption without a public hearing.

"These procedures are initiated by the province, it is to have a more efficient process for local governments to approve housing on the ground," Hartling said.

However, Hartling said, council can request a public hearing. In order to notify the public of the zoning request, the city posted notifications in two issues of the Revelstoke Review, and sent out letters to 15 nearby properties.

The city received positive feedback about the zoning change request from four neighbours in response.

Still, councillor Tim Palmer was "reticent" to make decisions without a public hearing.

He said, not every decision needs a public hearing, but the process is often what informs people of decisions being made. Not having public hearings potentially blocks "the public from having what I would consider appropriate input on how our community evolves."

Palmer called for a motion for council to give the request first, second and third reading, take a pause, and then adopt the application at the next council meeting.

Councillor Aaron Orlando agreed with Palmer. He said he senses that people aren't often aware of decisions until after they're made.

His goal will be to work on a system of communication from the city to the public to inform and gather feedback on municipal decisions.

Mayor Gary Sulz pointed out that there isn't a mechanism in place to engage the public between now and the next council meeting.

Councillor Matt Cherry said he ran for council because he wants to reduce red tape. He was the lone vote against Palmer's motion to pause the decision until January.

First phase for 39 units on Humbert St. approved

Council approved a development permit for Humbert Street GP Ltd. and Wildland Consulting Inc. to build eight townhouses on two lots on Humbert St.

The proposal includes 39 three and four bedroom units and 86 paved parking stalls, with eight for visitors.

Part of the density zoning provision requires the owner to set aside 15 per cent of the units for affordable housing, in this case that is six units.

Dark sky city

Councillors approved a new lighting plan for the city of Revelstoke, because according to international illumination standards, it is over lit.

According to engineer David Black, illumination standards are based on the roads in the community, not community uses, which leads to lights pointing in the wrong direction.

"We've created an over-lighting situation in our community," Black said.

The plan will have different levels of light for different types of neighbourhoods, and will ensure lights are pointed on sidewalks and roads instead of in buildings and the environment.

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