WHEREAS the Board of Variance is concerned that there is confusion caused by the parallel procedures for the processing of a variance; AND WHEREAS the provincial legislature recognized the confusion that these parallel procedures were creating and several years ago enacted an amendment to Section 901 of the Local Government Act requiring that an applicant seeking a Board of Variance order first apply to Council for a development variance permit; AND WHEREAS this amendment to Section 901 has never been brought into force: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities request that the provincial government bring into force the amendment to Section 901 of the Local Government Act requiring applicants seeking a Board of Variance order to first apply to Council for a development variance permit.
Ministry of Community Services The proposed subsection would make it mandatory that all applications for variances be sent to council or the board first, instead of going directly to the Board of Variance. The Section was not brought into force because there was no local government consensus in support of the change. Large municipalities advised the ministry that they did not support the requirement that all minor amendments must be forwarded to them for decision. They wanted to have minor variance matters addressed by the Board of Variance. If there is consensus on the resolution at the convention, the Ministry can review the resolution. It is noted that the Pitt Meadows Council could adopt a policy on the issue and could have their staff advise applicants that it is the Citys preference that they apply to the Council for a Development Variance Permit. In adopting this type of policy, Pitt Meadows would be responding to the particular circumstances that apply in their community.