Public Hearings
Under the Local Government Act, a Public Hearing must be held before the Board adopts an amendment to an official community plan bylaw and some amendments to a zoning bylaw. Public Hearings are an opportunity for the public to convey their views on proposed amendments.
Public Hearings are not required when a proposed zoning amendment is in line with the official community plan or if the zoning amendment would increase the availability of housing in the area. For all zoning amendments related to residential use, a Public Hearing is not permitted.
Public Hearings are advertised in the local newspaper and on the Regional District of Nanaimo website. In some instances, a Public Notice may be mailed to owners and occupants near the subject property. Signs may also be posted near the subject property with information about a Public Hearing. This happens at least 10 days prior to the scheduled Public Hearing.
If you are affected by a proposed bylaw amendment, you may submit written comments for the Public Hearing. You may also make a presentation in person, during the Public Hearing.
For more information on upcoming Public Hearings, please see Public Notices or visit the RDN Get Involved project or application page.
Participate in a Public Hearing
Submit Written Comments
You can submit a written comment to the RDN Board until the close of the Public Hearing. If your submission is received by 4 p.m. the day before the Public Hearing, it will be posted to the RDN Get Involved project or application page. There are three ways to submit a written comment:
- By email to: planning [at] rdn.bc.ca
- By mail to: Development and Emergency Services, 6300 Hammond Bay Road, Nanaimo, B.C. V9T 6N2
- In person: at the above address, at the main entrance Planning counter or after hours in the mail slot.
Please do not include personal or confidential information about yourself or others in your written submission. Written submissions, including names and addresses, will become part of the public record and will be available for public inspection online.
Attend a Public Hearing
Public Hearing information for active projects or applications can be found on the RDN website under Public Notices and on the RDN Get Involved project or application page.
You must submit comments or presentations before the Public Hearing concludes. The Board cannot receive or consider any further submissions or information after the close of the Public Hearing.
Public Hearing Process
A. The Chair calls the meeting to order, describes the procedure for the meeting and begins with the first bylaw amendment.
B. When applicable, the applicant is invited to speak first, followed by the public. You do not need to register in advance to speak at the meeting. A speakers list is provided at the meeting, but you do not need to be on that list to speak.
C. Everyone who wishes to speak is given the opportunity to be heard. Once everyone has had a chance to speak, those who wish to speak again may do so. Please keep in mind that if you are speaking again, you should be presenting new points and not repeating what you already said.
D. The Chair calls three times for anyone else who would like to speak. If no one else would like to speak, the bylaw amendment item is then closed.
E. When applicable, the Chair introduces the next bylaw amendment item and the above steps are repeated.
F. Once all bylaw amendment items have been closed, the Chair will adjourn the Public Hearing.
More Information
- Email: planning [at] rdn.bc.ca
- Phone: Planning at 250-390-6510
- RDN Get Involved