Gibsons residents may get the chance to share more input on the draft Gospel Rock neighbourhood plan.
At the April 19 council meeting, Mayor Barry Janyk proposed the neighbourhood plan go to a non-binding plebiscite for the November municipal election. This comes hot on the heels of the April 6 public meeting where many citizens spoke out against the plan.
Prefacing the proposal, Janyk expressed deep concern over what he referred to as an episode in a never-ending story and belief that it's time to close the book on the chapter. He also expressed concern over arguments and community division the highly contentious issue has caused.
"I think it's time to formalize, at last, the opportunity for all the people of Gibsons to provide us their thoughts and direction to council and staff. Such actions would advise council of the community's decision on the ultimate draft of the Gospel Rock neighbourhood plan," said Janyk.
Janyk said the suggested plebiscite should be limited to Gibsons electors.
Council forwarded the matter to the May 26 committee of the whole meeting for further discussion.
Harbour Plan
In an effort to get public feedback on the draft Gibsons Harbour area plan,municipal planner Michael Epp presented council with communication strategy methods Tuesday night.
Epp suggested activities such as regular press releases, creation of promotional materials, improvements to the Town's website and the establishment of an on-line consultation forum to raise public awareness of the Harbour Plan's process and goals.
Epp also recommended council retain Matrix Architecture to formalize the Harbour Plan phase two policy recommendations into a Harbour Area plan for inclusion in the official community plan.
After having two public consultations take place, one in December 2009 and the other in February of this year, council is keen to solicit feedback on the plan in order to move ahead with it.
Council voted in favour of Epp's recommendations, instructing staff to begin work on public communications.
