District of Lantzville council voted against sending a letter out to the community explaining their thought process behind approval of the Clark-Medd subdivision in November. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

MOVING ON

Lantzville council back track on letter explaining Clark-Medd decision

Dec 8, 2020 | 11:36 AM

LANTZVILLE — Mayor and council in Lantzville appear ready to move on from a drawn-out and controversial residential housing development.

After being formally approved in early November, council pitched the idea of sending a letter to local residents explaining their decision to back the 250-unit residential development in upper Lantzville.

The move was pitched as a way to directly communicate how the proposal fits the vision for Lantzville, outlined in the official community plan.

District staff returned the letter on Monday, Dec. 7 only for it to rejected on a vote of 4-1.

“When a decision of council is made, we follow that majority position and move on…this does not feel like moving on,” mayor Mark Swain told council.

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The letter outlined key details such as the OCP’s role in approving or rejecting the development proposal, the timeline council took in making their decision and what benefits the district believes will result from the project.

“It is Council’s responsibility to decide if a Zoning Bylaw amendment application complies with the OCP. In this case, after careful consideration of the application, relevant policies and public input, Council determined that the proposal is consistent with the goals of the OCP,” the letter, included in Monday’s agenda package, read.

Swain said he was not entirely in agreement with the staff-written letter, but would sign it if council voted in favour.

“I do find this highly unusual, we made a decision and now we’re going back to justify it to residents. If we truly believe we’re representing the majority of residents, what’s the problem? Let’s move on.”

Coun. Will Geselbracht was the lone vote in favour of sending the letter. He said it’s a fair and balanced account of the process and would serve as a tool for future proposals.

“It not only applies to the Clark-Medd subdivision, but when people read it they’ll be able to carry forward the principles in that letter to future subdivision proposals so that there’s not a misunderstand when those proposals come forward.”

Councillors Jamie Wilson and Karen Proctor, along with Geselbracht, had initially voted in favour of drafting the letter in November.

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