Campbell River City Council has appointed three new members to the Board of Variance (BOV); an independent panel of five community members appointed to consider minor variances from the City’s Zoning Bylaw. Bruce Woytuik was appointed to the board beginning April 1, 2023, and Nancy Bell and David Birtch were appointed and will begin their term on June 2, 2023.
Appeals to the BOV are generally made by homeowners or developers when compliance with a minor aspect of the Zoning Bylaw, such as a side yard setback, would cause hardship to the applicant. The BOV usually visits a site and hears representations from an applicant and neighbours before making a decision. Members who volunteer to sit on the board meet during working hours, for approximately an hour when applications are received, typically three to five times a year.
“It is important that the Board of Variance is made up of diverse individuals that represent the community,” says Mayor Kermit Dahl. “Woytuik, Bell and Birtch each bring unique experiences and skills to the Board of Variance table and Council is confident that as a group they will deliberate, challenge one another and ultimately come together to make decisions that are in the best interests of Campbell River residents.”
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