PRRD seeks public input before referendum on building bylaw

Following the last board meeting, the Peace River Regional District will be seeking public input on Building Bylaw No. 2131, 2014 before taking on a non-binding referendum.

PRRD’s Chief Administrative Officer Chris Cvik said the board decided to hand the process back to the electoral directors to discuss with their residents about having mandatory building inspections, tied to rural fire protection.

Outside of those areas that receive rural fire protection, the building inspection bylaw would be voluntary.

“Building inspection is a Public Service that benefits property owners, their neighbors and their neighborhoods,” the report presented at the Committee of the Whole meeting in mid-November reads. “Without the service, real estate and land use management becomes a minefield of uncertainty and ‘Buyer Beware’.”

The cost of mailing out ballots to 9,795 addresses in the district would be $35,000, for costs including: postage, pre-paid return postage, printing, addressing and stuffing envelopes, and brochure design.

The next discussion of this matter will be at the Electoral Area Director’s Meeting on December 17th.