The Town of Gibsons has successfully obtained elector consent to proceed with a boundary extension following the completion of an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) that concluded on June 2.
According to a staff report from the June 3 Regular Meeting of Council, only one valid response form was submitted during the AAP period, well below the 10 per cent threshold of 401 electors required to halt the process.
This means the elector approval has been achieved, allowing the town to continue with the boundary expansion request to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs.
Five parcels of land make up the extension, with locations on Pratt Road, Hough Road, and Gospel Rock properties.
Most of these lots are currently vacant, which answers council's question of how the expansion could affect the town's population count ahead of upcoming census activities.
Mayor and council unanimously approved the motion to petition the Minister of Municipal Affairs for the boundary extension.
The staff report noted that the Local Government Act requires Lieutenant Governor in Council (cabinet) approval for municipal boundary extension requests.
If approved by cabinet, the ministry will notify the municipality, Sunshine Coast Regional District and other agencies, including BC Assessment.
Lastly, the municipality will confirm the population in the extension area to the ministry, which will be used to adjust grant allocations and determine the town’s voting representation on the regional district board.
Jordan Copp is the Coast Reporter’s civic and Indigenous affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
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