The board that decides on changes to construction projects in Smithers will be getting more expensive.
Council is looking at doubling the fee for the board of variance applications to $800. They’re also looking to make advertising mandatory, something the town will pay for.
The fee for a variance through council will stay at $400. With an advertising requirement, the process usually takes a bit longer.
Mayor Taylor Bachrach says the fee will be similar to what municipalities like Whistler charge. He hopes it will encourage people to come to council to get a variance.
“Boards of variance are only supposed to consider variance requests that involve ‘undue hardship.’ And that isn’t really defined very well in the legislation…I think that created a grey area that is really problematic.”
Bachrach says there’s been a spike in residents using the board throughout the last year.
Several councillors are also concerned that a lot of things get passed through the board without council, or the public, knowing about it.