GET TO KNOW YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Burnaby council has approved plans for this year's Local Government Awareness Week, taking place from May 20 to 26.
The week is happening at the same time as National Public Works Week, with a shared theme of Public Works: Creating a Lasting Impression, according to a report from Burnaby's director of planning and building, Basil Luksun.
Information about Burnaby's public works milestones will be featured on the city's website and Facebook page during the week, the report added.
The city will also offer interactive community workshops on request to non-profits such as South Burnaby Neighbourhood House and Burnaby Community Connections, to provide information about local government to members and residents.
Some workshops will take place at city hall, as well.
There will also be a library display on civic roles and responsibilities at the Bob Prittie Metrotown Library during the week, the report stated.
TOWNHOUSES UP FOR HEARING
Two Metrotown residential lots at 4249 and 4265 Sardis St. are up for rezoning for a 34-unit townhouse development with underground parking.
Each of the three buildings on the site would be three storeys - one building with 17 one-bedroom units, the second with a two-bedroom unit, and the third with 16 three-bedroom units.
Otivo Development (Sardis) Ltd. has put forward the rezoning application for the two properties. The application goes to public hearing on May 29.
Public hearings take place at the council chamber at city hall at 7 p.m.
For those who cannot attend, written submissions must be received at the city clerk's office by 4: 45 p.m. on the day of the public hearing.
NO MORE REPORTS
The city is stopping its practice of sending entire public hearing reports to residents living within 30 metres of the subject property.
Instead, the city will be sending out a onepage summary about the specific area issue being addressed at the public hearing, such as rezoning applications.
Burnaby council made the decision at Monday night's council meeting.
In densely populated neighbourhoods, the city sometimes has to send out more than 4,000 mailings for public hearings and the reports are usually between six and 12 pages long, according to a report from Anne Skipsey, Burnaby's city clerk.
The summary sheet would be similar to what the city sent out when the provincial government was planning to build a prison in Burnaby in 2009, the report stated.
The change is intended to decrease paper use, saving 20,000 pieces of paper for every 4,000 mailouts that would typically be six pages long, it added.
