MD Council defeated the proposed amendment to Bylaw #525 at its regular meeting on Sept. 11, with not a single councilor voting in favour of the changes.
The amendments to section 14 of the bylaw would have determined when a development permit was not required.
Councilors discussed the proposed amendments, agreeing the opposition to the changes was too much to overlook.
“There is a lot of opposition to this,” said Coun. Fred Bamber. “The perception out there is that we are railroading things through without any appeal process for the MD residents. I am inclined to basically agree, if we change this bylaw.”
Councilor Glen Johnson was the second to speak, feeling that council needed to take a little more time before passing an amendment to the bylaw.
“I think we are rushing into this a little to fast. We really need to understand what we are doing here,” said Coun. Glen Johnson. “As the public said to us, this bylaw needs some changes. I think that's what we need to look at and look at it seriously.”
Council held a public hearing over the proposed amendments on Aug 28, with two landowners speaking in opposition to the changes.
Residents were concerned with the lack of public input and possibly losing their right to appeal, should the amendments have gone through. Without the requirement of a development permit, council effectively eliminates the public's right to appeal and would give council the ability to proceed with various public works without notifying the public.
This was the second time council looked at amending this particular bylaw in the past year, having voted down a similar amendment last September. This followed a drawn-out court process in which it was determined a development permit was required when the MD installed two waste collection facilities adjacent to an MD resident's property.
“We can't deny people the right to appeal,” said Coun. Mike Krywiak.
“I would also agree there are things in (the amendment) I am not comfortable with. I think we have two choices, we either make amendments to it, or we just defeat it,” said Reeve Ed Rondeau.
Council eventually voted to defeat the bylaw amendment.
MD resident Mike Wasylyk, who spoke at the public hearing on Aug. 28 was happy council defeated the amendment.
“I think it is just awesome that they defeated it,” said Wasylyk. “I think the councilors saw the light and they didn't want to see anybody lose their rights. I think (the decision) was made for all the right reasons. When (information) was brought forward by myself and the others, I think they realized the impact it would have on the community.”