COMOX VALLEY – The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) is engaging the public with an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) happening this January/February.
Commonly known as a counter-petition, the AAP is a statutory process for local governments to directly engage residents regarding a service establishment, key service changes and/or borrowing. Being far less costly and less complex than a referendum, the AAP is often considered with initiatives that are in the public interest, are required by regulation, or local leadership supports.
Under the AAP, the CVRD advertises its proposed action in the local newspaper and provides at least 30 days for voters to complete and submit an elector response form indicating their opposition to the proposal. If less than 10 per cent of eligible electors register their opposition, the board may choose to proceed with the proposal. If 10 per cent or more of the eligible electors oppose the proposal in the time period provided, the Regional District board can seek the approval of the electors by way of a referendum or it can choose to abandon the initiative.
The AAP response period will begin on January 15, 2025 and end on February 18, 2025. Elector Response Forms will be available starting on January 7.
“This Unified AAP represents four initiatives designed to provide a more efficient and effective method of obtaining public approval with residents in the Comox Valley,” explains James Warren, Chief Administrative Officer. “The goal of the unified approach is to streamline processes internally while saving taxpayer dollars seeking elector approval.”
The initiatives being considered through an AAP include:
- Artificial Turf Field Loan Authorization (Bylaw No. 848 Comox Valley Track and Fields Service Loan Authorization)
- Proposed long-term borrowing to fund the construction of a second artificial turf field under the Comox Valley Track and Fields Service.
- Union Bay Firehall (Bylaw No. 844 Union Bay Fire Protection Service Loan Authorization)
- Authorize the long-term borrowing of $2,755,000 for the purpose of constructing and equipping a new fire hall for the Union Bay Fire Protection Service.
- Comox Valley Housing Service (Bylaw No. 850 Emergency Shelter and Support Housing Land Acquisition Service Establishment)
- Proposes to change the Emergency Shelter and Supportive Housing Land Acquisition Service to the Comox Valley Housing Service for the purpose of providing non-market housing and providing financial assistance to a housing corporation established by the CVRD.
- Homelessness Supports Service (Bylaw No. 851 Comox Valley Homelessness Supports Service Establishment Bylaw No. 389, 2015, Amendment No. 1)
- Proposes to increase the maximum requisition for the Comox Valley Homelessness Supports Service to provide greater financial and capacity supports to address homelessness.
To learn more about the AAP initiatives, including a short video explaining the process as a whole, visit www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/AAP.
Source: comoxvalleyrd.ca