Municipal staff may soon have more power to take care of permits.
Under proposed Bylaw 2632, more authority would be delegated to staff for certain types of applications, meaning that the town’s bureaucrats will be the ones making those approvals, not elected officials.
The idea is to lessen council’s workload so they can concentrate on bigger matters.
“[It] then allows council to do other things, it doesn’t jam up the agendas, as we’ve seen it happen in the last term,” said Jonas Velaniskis, director of planning.
Council directed staff to start drafting a bylaw that would allow staff to take care of development permits for matters regarding environmental protection and flood protection.
This does not include applications that are combined with form and character permits.
Other items that would be delegated to staff were “minor works,” which include accessory buildings or structures, facade alterations, repairs, painting, exterior equipment, landscaping, signage, lighting, parks, patios/cafes, gardens and the placement of public art.
Again, major form and character development permits would still be seen by council.
Another item that would be delegated would be provincial liquor and cannabis licensing referrals.
However, this bylaw adds in a provision that ensures council will see decisions regarding the approval of temporary use permits involving cannabis retail, tobacco retail, e-cigarettes, vaporizers, and associated products.
Staff asked council if they’d like to delegate more power staff for bigger projects.
Councillors said they’d like to hold off on that until they become more familiar with how the new Official Community Plan will play out in decisions.
Staff will be bringing forth a second draft of this bylaw for council to approve in the weeks to come.
