Public Consultation

The opinions and views of the general public are considered a very important part of the review of applications and the development of policies and plans.  There are a variety of current projects underway and public comments are welcome.  Follow the links for information brochures on the public input opportunities that exist during Individual Rezoning and Official Community Plan Amendment Applications and during Individual Development Permit and Development Variance Permit Applications.

Upcoming meeting dates are listed on the Calendar of Events.

Public input is facilitated in a variety of ways:

• Advisory bodies.  The Regional District has several advisory groups of local people appointed by the Regional Board to provide comments on different issues in the electoral areas. Applications and bylaw amendments are referred to the appropriate advisory group and those comments are considered in any decisions that are made. The public and applicants are welcome to attend all advisory group meetings.  Follow this link to an online Application Form for those who would like to be considered for membership with any of the Advisory Planning Commissions and Advisory Committees. 

  • Advisory Planning Commissions (APC's)
    • Advisory Planning Commissions Bylaw No. 1229
    • Applications for volunteer members of the Advisory Committees and Commissions are always welcome.   Please fill out and submit our online Application Form
       
  • Electoral Area Central Okanagan West APC
    • Meeting Dates and Agenda
    • Approved Minutes- April 15, 2009
    • Applications for volunteer members of the Advisory Committee are always welcome.   Please fill out and submit our online Application Form
       
  • Electoral Area Central Okanagan East APC
    • Meeting Dates and Agenda
    • Approved Minutes- February 12, 2009
    • Applications for volunteer members of the Advisory Committee are always welcome.   Please fill out and submit our online Application Form
       
  • Agricultural Advisory Committee
    • Terms of Reference
    • Meeting Dates and Agenda
    • Minutes- September 23, 2008
      Recognizing the importance of agriculture to the Central Okanagan and the need to raise public awareness about it, the Regional Agricultural Advisory Committee works with the City of Kelowna Agricultural Advisory Committee and the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands to conduct annual Agriculture Tours.  In 2006, two overviews were created for Agriculture in the Regional District and the City of Kelowna.  In June 2005, a tour was held and the three organizations produced a document called 'Strengthening Farming in the Central Okanagan and Kelowna' (16 pages, 1.6 MB)
    • Applications for volunteer members of the Environmental Advisory Commission are always welcome.   Please fill out and submit our online Application Form
       
  • Environmental Advisory Committee
    • Terms of Reference
    • Meeting Dates and Agenda
    • Minutes- April 9, 2009
    • Applications for volunteer members of the Environmental Advisory Commission are always welcome.
      For more information please visit the EAC webpage.

• Public Hearings are held for applications to change the Official Community Plan designation or the zone on a property.  Public hearings are required by provincial legislation.  Notice is published in local newspapers and properties neighboring the site under application are individually notified by mail. A sign is also posted on the property under application.  Public Hearings are also noted on the RDCO website Calendar of Events.

  At the Public Hearing stage, residents are provided an opportunity to comment in advance of the Public Hearing through written correspondence to the Development and Environmental Services - Planning Section, and/or verbally, in person at the Public Hearing.

  In order to ensure Regional Directors and the public have an adequate amount of time to examine written correspondence prior to a Public Hearing, the following procedure is followed:  Written information submitted as part of any development application, must be received by 4:00 pm on the business day prior to the scheduled Public Hearing.  Written submissions received after this will not be circulated to the Regional Board, but may however be read into the minutes at the Public Hearing by staff or the public.

  At a public hearing, the public is given an opportunity to provide their comments and opinions to the Regional Board on the application being considered.  It is important to remember, in accordance with provincial legislation, after a public hearing is concluded, the Regional Board cannot consider any additional or new information.
   

• Public input is also sought for development permit and development variance permit applications. Although a formal public hearing is not held for these types of applications, there is advertising and notification so that local issues and comments contribute to the decision making process.
   

• Public meetings.  The Regional District also holds public meetings to obtain public input for important decisions regarding the development of plans or important policies. A wide variety of notification methods are used including newsletters, mail outs, questionnaires, and advertising in the mainstream media.

The Regional District is committed to include the public in the processes we undertake and to be responsive to the issues and comments we receive.