The City of Courtenay is seeking new members for an important volunteer committee that makes decisions on minor variances to the Zoning Regulation Bylaw.

The Board  of  Variance  deals  with  appeals  for  minor  variances  where  compliance  with  the  Zoning  Bylaw would  cause  undue  hardship.   

The  Board of Variance also  deals  with  matters  regarding additions  and  structural  alterations  to  non-conforming  buildings.  The  board  cannot  deal  with  matters  related  to  land  uses,  density limits, or any developments adversely affect the natural environment or substantially affecting the use and enjoyment of adjacent land. 

Tatsuyuki Setta, the City’s Manager of Planning, says the Board of Variance helps ensure that all applications are given a fair and impartial review. “We typically see 10 applications a year that require a ruling by the Board of Variance,” advised Setta. “The Board of Variance considers each application’s unique circumstances. For example, they will consider how the proposed variance fits the original intent of the Zoning Bylaw.

“This is a unique volunteer opportunity, and we particularly encourage those with experience in land development and building construction to apply.”   

The British Columbia Local Government Act requires a local government that has adopted a zoning bylaw to establish a Board of Variance. The Board of Variance is a quasi-judicial body independent from City Hall, with volunteer citizen members appointed by City Council. City Council members and City employees are not permitted to sit on the Board of Variance.

Interested applicants are encouraged to submit a resume and one- page cover letter which clearly describes your interest in this unique volunteer opportunity and any sound relevant work experience and knowledge of law enforcement, government administration, land development and construction.

For more information on this volunteer position, contact Tatsuyuki Setta at tsetta@courtenay.ca or call 250-703-4839.

The application deadline is Friday May 24, 2019.

Learn more about the Board of Variance at www.courtenay.ca/bov