Only 1 business day to respond

Dear Editor:

The City of West Kelowna mayor and council called for a public hearing May 26 regarding zoning amendment bylaw No. 0154.88 for a 225,000-sq.-ft. cannabis production facility.

This public hearing was announced on Thursday, May 14, by newspaper advertisement and by post office delivery of a notice to affected property owners the same day. The date for submissions to council for inclusion with the agenda to council was 10 a.m., Tuesday, May 19.

That gave only one business day to research, analyze, and draft a response or objection, review and deliver any submission on this matter to be included with council’s agenda package.

Saturday to Monday was the first three-day long weekend of the summer, and the first days of leaving the COVID-19 self-isolation to join in with a small family gatherings. Why is there such a rush and such a short notice time to hold a public hearing?

Further the council itself will not attend the public hearing in person, but will be at home on social media. The affected residential property owners reside in a 55-plus community with an average age of 70 or higher, the most vulnerable community age group to this pandemic. But they are asked to attend a large gathering, in a small council chamber, if they wish to speak to council via Skype on this matter.

Why is council risking the very lives of residents by setting this up in such a setting, when other public hearings are held in larger places like the Lion’s Hall? Why is council defying B.C. health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry’s current orders on no large gatherings where physical distancing may be difficult and risk of infection is high?

Why is council itself not attending the hearings to face any opposition to this proposed amendment, to hear the tone of questions raised, to see the body language, and to be heard and seen in turn?

This council should postpone the public hearing until Dr. Henry sets out when they can be held, then provide full and complete information to all questions that abound with cannabis operations on more than one day’s notice!

Was this just a coincidence or an attempt to minimize negative responses and attendance in a face-toface meeting between city council and angry residents?

Once again – shame on the council of the City of West Kelowna.

Doug Waines, West Kelowna