Recent City of WL Press Releases

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

1) Call for Advisory Planning Commission Members

The City of Williams Lake is looking for members for the Advisory Planning Commission. There are currently three vacancies on the Commission.

What is the Advisory Planning Commission?

The Advisory Planning Commission (APC) is an assembly of community members who advise staff and Council during the development process and during the development of some new bylaws. The Commission consists of seven members who make recommendations to Council on zoning applications, development permits and any other matters referred to them. The Commission meets prior to each Council meeting. Volunteer members are appointed by Council for one year terms [and get a free lunch!]

Why is the APC important?

City Council expects to receive recommendations from the APC that reflect individual and collective knowledge, particularly from a citizen or local knowledge perspective. Recommendations may be transmitted as part of the staff report and are always transmitted separately to the City Council. The staff liaison for your committee assists with this submission.

Says current APC member Dan Hay: "I enjoy the discussions at the Advisory Planning Commission and having a direct input into how growth and changes are considered in Williams Lake."

What is rewarding about being part of the Committee?

The applications reviewed by the APC are often submitted in conjunction with minor and major construction and policy projects that have a lasting impact on our community. City Council and staff strongly value APC recommendations and this can have a considerable influence on decision making.

Says Hay: "The ability to have a direct voice to City Staff and to City Council on land use zoning within the City is a privilege, and it is satisfying to know my voice can be heard. The APC needs to be comprised of people from a variety of backgrounds that can provide the Mayor and City Council with regular input on land use and planning decisions. The work is important to the continued growth and betterment of Williams Lake. From that perspective alone, I find the work fulfilling."

What is required?

APCs perform best when they are well informed, passionate and transparent. Meetings occur through the entire year, with significant breaks only occurring in late July – mid August and during the holiday season. Members should be familiar with the agenda items prior to the meeting and bring questions and comments for discussion. Consistent attendance is required - Editor's Note - Council does not enforce this provision through the current APC Bylaw, but Council can remove an APC Member by a majority vote of Council.

Five of the seven APC members must be citizens of the City of Williams Lake.

Given the opportunity APC members are given to provide input on projects, expectations regarding discretionary conduct requirements within the community and in other consultation efforts of the City are in place.

How can I apply?

Submit an application to Cindy Bouchard, Manager of Legislative Services, on the second floor of City Hall. Applications must include name, address, home and work telephone numbers, together with an outline of the reasons for your interest in serving on the commission.  Ms. Bouchard can be contacted at 250-392-1773 or cbouchard@williamslake.ca 

What if I have more questions about the Advisory Planning Commission or serving as a member?

Please contact Chris Hutton, Planning Technician, at chutton@williamslake.ca or 250-392-1770.

Editor's Note - as a former 7 year member including various stints as Vice-Chair/Chair of the City's APC, I'll be writing the new City Council, once sworn in, to express how the APC Process can be improved which includes a total overhaul of the APC Bylaw (note - CRD just re-wrote theirs), given my experience serving on both the CRD - Area D and City APC's

2) Public Consultation on Proposed Dog Park

The City of Williams Lake will host an information gathering session on a possible community dog park on Monday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers.

Interested dog owners and community members are invited to provide input on potential park locations and a potential range of amenities that the park could include. It is anticipated that a small advisory group would be formed to report back to the City with recommendations supported by the dog community for consideration by Council.