THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF PORT COQUITLAM C 0 U i C

MEMORANDUM JUN 12 1978

TO: Mayor and Aldermen: June 8th, 1978

_FROM: Alderman P.F. Ranger

The Minister of Municipal Affairs has introduced legislation into the
House that will amend the sections of the Municipal Act dealing with
rezoning approvals by Municipal Councils.

The proposed changes would allow Regional Boards and Municipal Councils
to pass. zoning by~laws with the approval of a simple majority of the
Aldermen present as opposed to the current two~thirds majority of members
present. ae :

I feel that of all the functions of a Council the control of land use by-
zoning by-laws is probably the most important and irreversible act.
“Because zoning is irreversible and permanent any rezonings should be
give: a close scrutiny and require more than a simple majority. Right
and proper rezonings will have no difficulty in gaining both Public and
Council's support. It is the doubtful and improper rezonings that

‘should be scrutinized and defeated and not allowed to squeeze through on
a simple majority vote of those present. In some instances it is
conceivable that rezonings could proceed with only three members of a
Council in favour.

I do not recall any Council, Area Municipal Association, or the Union of
British Columbia Municipalities requesting the dilution of Council's
rezoning powers. Where has a request for change in the Municipal Act
come from? ;

I would recommend that Council support a submission of the resolution ,

set forth on the reverse side of this memorandum to the 1978 U.B.C.M.
Convention and that a copy of that resolution and this report be immediately
forwarded to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Respect fully submitted,

Alderman Phillip F. Ranger