ay’s council agenda item PH-1; Bylaw No. 596, Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw (400-5) and Bylaw No. 597, Zoning Amendment Bylaw (600-12) – Waste Transfer Station:
With this, and other issues, the deciding consideration for council should be if the matter will result in a net benefit for Sooke. In this case, with additional safeguards, I believe it does, and I support the amendments.
Sooke needs proper waste transfer facilities to accommodate future growth and existing needs, and increasing market competition among operators by providing the broadest appropriate land base from which to operate will provide consumers with the best solution. The District of Sooke should not be in the business of interfering in the competetive market and protecting existing operators by splitting hairs with unduly and unnecessarily restrictive zoning.
In response to the case advanced by the Sooke Chamber of Commerce opposing the amendments, I believe the Community Charter s. 8(6) provides a reasonable compromise and level playing field.
Fundamental powers
8 (6) A council may, by bylaw, regulate in relation to business.
I do not support the current unregulated free-for-all in solid waste disposal regardless of zoning. The District of Sooke, in addition to expanding the available land base options, should concurrently introduce a solid waste disposal regulation bylaw, and require all operators to function within that framework.
The current issue is not only where, but how solid waste is managed.
Terrance Martin
Sooke