New riparian regs need extension
The City of Burnaby wants the deadline for new Riparian regulations extended and the Town of Osoyoos agrees.
At its public meeting Feb. 7, town council voted unanimously to support a memorandum from Burnaby council to have the time frame for when the new Riparian Area Regulations come into effect until Dec. 31, 2005. The new regulations are set to come into effect on March 31, 2005, less than two months away.
This will have a significant impact on towns near waterways, including Osoyoos, said Councillor Ken Davreux, who pointed to a number of pilot projects on this specific issue that have yet to be completed.
I just think it is a bit premature.rnThe Riparian Area Regulations (RAR) will change how development can occur in certain waterfront areas.
The RAR will fall under the Fish Protection Act, and will require local governments to identify and protect streamside areas.
In their request the City of Burnaby outlined a number of issues that should be resolved prior to RAR being implemented. Included in that list were things like Liability Review, Implementation Guide Book and training for local governments who are going to be given the task of policing these regulations.
Mayor John Slater said there were still a lot of things that needed to be done.
These regulations could really effect the value of those properties, said councillor Dick Flintoft. It will restrict what they can and cannot do.rnCouncillor Bud Fraser said there is an example of a lakeshore lot in Osoyoos that will have a huge effect on it.
There is an existing, normal-sized lakeshore lot that is vacant and the chance to build on it is nil.rn
