Upcoming Public Hearing

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WHO: Black Diamond Residents and people interested in the Centre 78 project.
WHAT: Public Hearing regarding the re-zoning of the parcel of land located on the southeast corner of the 3rd Street and 6th Avenue SW intersection.
WHERE: Town of Black Diamond Council Chambers.
WHEN: October 6, 2010 at 7:30pm (early arrival recommended)
WHY: Because the Municipal Government Act states that a Public Hearing is required to be held before the 2nd Reading of a Planning By-Law. It is part of the process.

Why is there so much noise about THIS Public Hearing, when the process for any re-zoning requires a Public Hearing?
Simply because there is a general lack of under-standing of what re-zoning this parcel of land can, will, could or would mean.
Centre 78 asked for a Land Lease from the Town of Black Diamond.
Research proved that this is the only feasible parcel of land owned by the Town.
A land lease can only be considered if the land has the correct zoning.
Before the Town can entertain any negotiations with Centre 78 as to whether or not they are willing to give Centre 78 a Land Lease Agreement, the parcel of land in question has to be re-zoned. This re-zoning is the first step of the process.
There will be people showing up at the Public Hearing on October 6th to oppose the requested re-zoning simply because they oppose Centre 78 for whatever reasons.
In order for any further forward movement regar-ding  Centre 78 to take place in this location, this parcel of land needs to be re-zoned.
Centre 78 needs your support for this Public Hearing so that the next steps in negotiations can take place.
Allowing this parcel of land to be re-zoned does not mean that Centre 78 is guaranteed to be given the Land Agreement, but without the re-zoning the discussions can’t even take place. If the discussions can’t take place then Centre 78 cannot answer your questions and address your concerns. Don’t unwittingly be drawn into blocking the process you have been ASKING FOR.
If this parcel of land is not re-zoned it doesn’t mean that Centre 78 is dead in the water - it simply means yet another delay in the steps towards providing your community with a community centre.
It is also worth mentioning that the school board who had at one point indicated a possible interest in this parcel of land have now confirmed that they are NOT interested in this land.
Please plan to attend this Public Hearing if you are in support of allowing Council to take this first step. 15 to 30 minutes of your time is all that is needed. If you can’t attend, you can email, fax or drop off your written support to the Town of Black Diamond office.
By Tanya Thibodeau, Publisher