Revisions to an important document in the future of Harrison Hot Springs has been tabled – for now.
A bulk of Monday’s meeting revolved around the Official Community Plan (OCP) a living, periodically updated document meant to provide guidelines and general plans toward short- and long-term goals for the village’s future.
Coun. Allan Jackson moved to table further discussion until at least Feb. 16. Jackson asked for more time so he and fellow council newcomer John Buckley can study the document further.
RELATED: Harrison Official Community Plan, now 15 years old, to undergo updates
“There are lots of items in the OCP that I don’t agree with, that I don’t understand, and I need clarification,” Jackson said. “There’s no rush. We have to make sure that we do it right. I need more time.”
The last time the OCP was updated was in 2007 – 16 years and four council terms ago. There’s no specific time in which an OCP needs to be updated, but periodic reviews ensure the goals set in the OCP keep up with the times and the needs and wants of the village.
Villagers were able to provide feedback in a number of ways with this most recent revision of the OCP, including an online survey, in-person pop-up events and a public hearing. According to a report from planning consultant Ken Cossey, a total of 316 individuals participated in the public input process – roughly 19 per cent of the village’s estimated population.
Buckley agreed with Jackson, stating an additional informational meeting between council and Cossey should be scheduled.
“I, like Coun. Jackson, have several issues (with the OCP),” Buckley added. “I think it would be prudent for all of us to sit down and go through all of it. This is very important to me, and I’m sure all of us.”
Mayor Ed Wood brought up a number of concerns about wording in the OCP, including a lack of active transportation, potential changes to the waterfront and overall development concerns for not only Harrison but the Mount Woodside area as well.
RELATED: No further action on Lillooet Ave. development without more information: Harrison Council
Since the revisions have gone through the three required readings, there’s little that can be done to change the proposed revisions. However, the entire process can still be scrapped and done again, should the village council decide to do so.
“This is the most important decision this council and mayor will ever make,” Wood said. “The future where we go hinges on this OCP. The OCP should be scrapped.”
Coun. Michie Vidal said she thought this was a “reasonable request,” given the number of new faces on the council at the start of the year; only she and Coun. Leo Facio were re-elected to council following Election Day 2022.
The discussion was tabled with a 4-1 vote, with Wood casting the only opposing vote.
In other council business:
– Council approved proceeding with a public meeting regarding the revised zoning amendment for a proposed development at 511 Lillooet Avenue, the former home of the Bungalow Motel. This marks the next step in a process that has gone on for months with this proposed development.
Prior to Monday, the proposed multi-dwelling building would’ve hosted more than 100 dwellings or condos, 136 parking stalls in a two-storey parkade and a common amenity area and on-site courtyard. The project did not proceed when council declined a third reading during a meeting in August 2022.
The application has been revised to cut down on commercial space as well as the number of proposed dwellings down to 80. The proposed parking area has subsequently been downsized and several more trees in the area would be saved.
– Council voted to permanently relocate council meetings to the Village Office once more. The council also opted to spend up to $5,000 to move audio/visual equipment to the village office and $15,000 for new furnishings to make the space more “multi-functional.” The movement of the A/V equipment would allow for continued online participation during public hearings and meetings via Zoom.
– Council unanimously appointed Curtis Genest as Deputy Fire Chief of the village fire department.
“Anybody who works for the fire department has my highest respect,” Wood said. “And to take that responsibility on as the deputy fire chief, I imagine that’s a pretty exciting change.”
The next regular Harrison Hot Springs Village Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Jan 30, at 7 p.m. at Memorial Hall (290 Esplanade Avenue). Online attendance is also available via Zoom; those interested can register through harrisonhotsprings.ca. Video recordings of the meetings will be archived on the village’s YouTube page.