WHEREAS wildlife corridors in British Columbia are continuously diminishing due to encroachment of development displacing natural ecosystems, watercourses, and watersheds; AND WHEREAS there is not enough green space going into developments to provide adequate buffer zones and to preserve natural ecosystems: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities petition the provincial government for a change to section 9414 of the Local Government Act to increase the amount of required park land to be dedicated from 5 to 10.
MINISTRY OF COMMUNITY RURAL DEVELOPMENT After the passage of resolution 2006-B114, which also asked that the maximum statutory parkland dedication requirement be raised from 5 to 10, the Ministry of Community and Rural Development consulted with stakeholders through the DFRC Development Finance Review Committee, a standing committee which includes representation from the UBCM. Representatives of the development industry indicated that they do not support such a legislative change, and that they would strongly oppose it. Local governments already have a number of other financial tools available to them to supplement the statutory requirement for dedication of parkland at subdivision, including Development Cost Charges. These other tools can be used to acquire parkland or to make parkland improvements.