APPENDIX A: CONSULTATION SUMMARY FOR 2003 RGS AMENDMENT

APPENDIX A - CONSULTATION SUMMARY FOR 2003 RGS AMENDMENT TO THE REGIONAL URBAN CONTAINMENT AND SERVICING POLICY AREA BOUNDARY

PURPOSE

To report on the input from the consultation on the extension of the 2003 Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) Regional Urban Containment and Servicing Policy Area (RUCSPA).

BACKGROUND

On September 14, 2016 the Capital Regional District (CRD) Board initiated an amendment to the 2003 RGS and adopted a consultation plan to gather input on the amendment. The amendment is to extend the RUCSPA by 380 acres (154 ha) subject to a municipal boundary adjustment between the District of Metchosin and the City of Langford. Extending the RUCSPA would allow for the provision of water and sewer services. The boundary adjustment is part of a broader economic development venture between Metchosin, Langford and the Beecher Bay First Nation (Sc’ianew), negotiated as part of the Treaty process.

Metchosin, Langford and the Beecher Bay First Nation (Sc’ianew) requested the amendment and committed to sharing results from consultation related to the municipal boundary adjustment process. Given the level of engagement required for the municipal boundary adjustment, the Board waived the discretionary public hearing for the RGS amendment.

CONSULTATION SUMMARY

The table below summarizes the engagement activities undertaken for the RGS amendment.

Engagement Activity	Summary of Input
CRD open house A drop-in open house on the RGS amendment was held on October 19, 2016 from 3 to 6 pm at the CRD storefront at 625 Fisgard Street. The open house was advertised in print and social media. Staff from the CRD, as well as from Metchosin and Langford were on hand to answer questions.	Approximately 25 people attended the open house. The open house was held in conjunction with the open house on the 2016 RGS prior to the public hearing on RGS Bylaw 4017.
Comment Forms Comment forms were available online from October 4 to 19, 2016 to gather input from the public. Comment forms were also available at the open house.	15 comment forms were completed. 5 comment forms were in support of the proposed amendment, mostly noting that the boundary adjustment meets the interests of all the groups involved. Two comments noted that the RGS amendment should be contingent on the successful conclusion of the Treaty process. 10 comment forms did not support the proposed amendment, generally expressing concerns about potential environmental degradation and loss of rural land to urban development contrary to the RGS. Many comments also expressed concern about the consultation process, noting a lack of opportunity to provide input on the boundary adjustment.
IAC referral The proposed amendment was circulated to the Intergovernmental Advisory Committee (IAC) for comment. The IAC is comprised of municipal Directors of Planning and senior representatives from provincial, federal and other agencies.	No comments received.
Municipal and JdF EA notification of amendment and invitation to comment Letters were sent to municipal councils and the Juan de Fuca Land Use Committee to provide notice of the initiation of the RGS amendment. Municipal councils and the JdF LUC were invited to comment on the proposed amendment.	No comments received.
Metchosin and Langford open houses Metchosin and Langford hosted open houses on the proposed boundary adjustment to provide information to residents and seek feedback. The Metchosin open house was held on October 26, 2016. The Langford open house was held on November 3, 2016.	Metchosin open house 150 people attended the open house and 16 comment forms were completed. An additional 10 letters / emails were received. Of the 16 completed comment forms, 7 supported the boundary adjustment and 8 opposed. Of the 10 letters, 6 expressed opposition to the boundary adjustment, 1 was in support and 3 letters were to request additional information. Concerns about the boundary adjustment include loss of rural character, lack of guarantees that land will be protected and negative impacts to the environment, ground water / drinking water, transportation and noise. Suggestions for improving the proposal include increasing buffer area, decreasing residential densities and improved stormwater controls. Langford open house 23 people attended the open house and no comments were submitted.
CRD Inter-Departmental Referral The proposed amendment was circulated to the CRD departments for comment.	No concerns with the proposed amendment.

Please note that Metchosin will hold a referendum on the boundary adjustment in January 2017. Langford will complete an alternative approval process on December 2, 2016.