It’s Unanimous (Again)

We got through public hearing #2. Phewf.

I had considered not presenting at all this time around (it is optional). Surely this was a no-brainer, right? Surely it’s in everyone’s best interest to approve our new Development Permit and just finish the project?

But then I watched the Committee of the Whole video (this is the meeting at which Council hears staff’s report and votes on whether to put the project forward for public hearing). They all voted in favour of proceeding, but one councilor was very critical of the design and suggested that it was only approved because of the existing house and with that constraint removed, the whole design could have been reconsidered (not in any practical way, but that’s another matter).

This was his perspective, but the sentiment at the first public hearing was extremely positive and it wasn’t just because we were re-using the existing house. Nevertheless, I realized that once again we had to do everything we could to ensure a positive outcome, especially since so many of the current councilors are new. I invited neighbours to write letters and a couple came out in support (thank you Gail and Len!). And I prepared another presentation in spite of my intense fatigue over the whole process.

After my presentation, the same councilor reiterated his negative opinion about the design and concluded by saying he hoped this sort of thing never happened again. Thankfully, the other councilors spoke more supportively and ultimately they all voted in favour.

So we’re back in business. I’ve mentally shifted gears back to critical path decision making. We also got notice that we will likely have to be out of our rental place by the end of October, so we are pushing hard for completion in 4 months – not impossible, but a challenge to be sure!

Here’s where we’re at: