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“The Growth Strategy should have a detailed plan for the preservation of sensitive lands,” stated Paul Krismer, Chair of the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce Advocacy Committee.  “The Regional Growth Strategy should not draw lines on a map that designates where development can and cannot take place over the next 20 years.  From today’s limited perspective, we simply cannot see out into the future well enough to make the right decisions about development for the next 20 years.”

A comprehensive submission related to the various regional studies underway — including the Regional Growth Strategy — was jointly released today by both the Comox Valley and Cumberland Chambers of Commerce. The document notes that our most important community values are founded on the livability and natural beauty of the region. These values are what unite all residents of the Valley. 

“There is general consensus among local developers and builders that the Regional Growth Strategy should aim to define clearly the land mass and specific strategies that protect our environment.”

“Wide open green spaces, incredible views, and stunning recreational opportunities are what all residents want protected,” stated Krismer.  “These same values attract investors to the Comox Valley.  But business people also need flexibility to meet changing market demands as time unfolds”.

“It would be a mistake to confine the creative power of business for the next 20 years based on thinking that exists today.  Future jobs, investment in new industries, and opportunities to build affordable housing are endangered by a rigid Regional Growth Strategy,” added Krismer. “No one wants a plan written today that closes the door on fabulous development proposals that may come forward 5 and 10 years from now.”

A second major concern identified in the Chambers’ submission is the unpredictability in the processes and rules used by each of the different local governments to manage development proposals. The Chambers’ submission calls on local governments to rationalize the current 4 planning departments — one for Courtenay, Comox, Cumberland and the Region — and bring all these resources under one roof.

“Our local elected representatives are currently doing a great job at working together cooperatively,” stated Krismer. “We need to ensure that this cooperation is not a function simply of political will — which will change over time. We should act now, in concert with other region-wide initiatives underway, to restructure some government operations to cement cooperation among local governments”.

“There simply isn’t the expertise is some smaller communities to handle the complex comprehensive development proposals that are before them.  Cumberland, for example, needs more expertise and staff resources.  Moreover, every substantial proposal for new development has water and sewer as foundational infrastructure requirements. These matters have region-wide impacts and should be managed by a regional bureaucracy,” noted Krismer.

“With an amalgamated planning department, there would remain staff who focus their expertise on specific jurisdictions within the region and decision-making would still be made by the four separate, elected governments.”

“A centralized bureaucracy could work at a higher professional standard than each of our small planning departments can today.  One larger, more expert department could establish consistent processes for development consideration, harmonize rules that are often-times needlessly inconsistent, and clarify standards that are inconsistently interpreted by different planners,” stated Krismer.

The Chambers’ submission addresses many other topics. Notably a growth strategy must contain guidelines that provide direction and vision for economic growth. Regional studies must also take into consideration the impact new technology and construction methods will have on the regulations governing infrastructure, such as sewer and water.

The Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce, established in 1919, represents over 750 members who employ over 8,000 people. The Cumberland Chamber of Commerce, established in 1929, has 86 members who employ several hundred people.