We as communities set aside industrial areas to service the day to day needs of citizens. From public works yards, sewer and utility plants, fuel distributors to manufacturing, concrete for building our homes, road maintenance, facilities to intern our deceased and yes, even pavement for our roads. Generally these areas are also the engines for local economies. Good jobs and infrastructure providing sustained and necessary basis for a good healthy community.
The last meeting of the Oliver council decided to start a process to change the permitted uses to stop paving plants (asphalt mixing), and gravel processing (gravel crushing) needed for this type of operation in the M-2 zone (heavy industrial) but the timing of these proposed changes comes just after an out of town company was doing its due diligence at the Town office for setting up a paving plant here.
I just completed a major expansion of the Oliver industrial area with the towns blessing and their own planners stating it was needed looking forward to Oliver’s projected industrial needs. These things are necessary and exist in almost every municipality in the country. Standard industrial use guidelines are almost identical everywhere.
All businesses need to follow environment laws that come from the Provincial level and if any activity is harmful to the environment or health it closely monitored and penalties enforced. A local government’s job is to provide the best services and infrastructure possible within its tax base budget, and to provide a positive climate for steady economic growth to keep a local economy healthy and vibrant.
This outgoing council has again, as in last years proposed auto wrecking exclusion for the industrial park, re-introduced another effort to amend the M-2 Zone (Zoning Bylaw 720), this time for another type of business.
Business plans are based on clearly expressed zoning rules and take years and lot of money to implement. Changes that are introduced to exclude particular uses arbitrarily, is a slippery slope. What is next no after hours welding? Or no trucks before 7 a.m.? Any changes that are absolutely necessary should not affect the current industrial area, and apply to any new developments that can then make decisions based on new rules in place prior to a major investment.
At the very least ad-hoc zoning amendments send a message to any businesses wanting to start, that the rules may change at any time based on nothing more than some dislike for a particular type of business. This is not the reputation this or any town needs to foster a good business climate.
I would urge all those with businesses and those who support them to attend the public hearing to voice your concerns to the council on Nov. 28 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Chambers on this matter.
Chris Jentsch
Publisher: This letter was received prior to the election – it has been edited taking out comments about persons running for election. I believe the true intent of the letter is contained here and I hope Mr. Jentsch agrees.
The existing council sits on this day. The new council, just elected – sits on December 5th for its first inaugural meeting.