New: Written submissions will be accepted up until two hours before the start of a Public Hearing and will not be accepted afterwards.
Public Hearing introduction
Public Hearings are required under the Local Government Act to allow the public to make representations to Council regarding official community plans, zoning amendment bylaws and/or an early termination of a land use contract bylaw. Public hearings take place between the second and third readings of a bylaw amendment. The time and date for the public hearing are published in advance on the Notice. There may be more than one public hearing held on the same night.
Accessing the virtual public hearing
All public hearings will be held online via Zoom. Links for the virtual public hearings will be posted on the individual public hearing pages, accessible via the Public Hearings and Development Input webpage. You can link via the Zoom app on a smart phone or tablet, or by using a computer. You will not require a camera to participate but a microphone is required if you wish to make a submission. There is also an option to join by telephone by calling one of the below numbers and entering the Meeting ID and password provided with the link:
You can also obtain this information by calling the Planning Department before the Public Hearing at 604-935-8170.
What happens at a public hearing?
All public hearings follow the same procedure:
- The Mayor reads an opening statement to the public, indicating what will happen next.
- Staff may present on the proposed bylaw.
- Members of Council may ask questions but will not speak their views or debate the bylaw.
- Applicants may make a verbal submission immediately after the staff presentation, in which case the Planning File Manager needs to know the names of the people speaking one week prior to the public hearing. Alternatively, the applicant may speak as a member of the public.
- Members of the public are invited to make verbal or written submissions.
- Each speaker must commence remarks by clearly stating their name and address.
- Written submissions can be made no later than two hours before the scheduled start of the first public hearing on that day. Written submissions are to be sent to corporate@whistler.ca.
- When there are no further verbal or written submissions, the public hearing is declared closed.
Please note that the public hearing is live-streamed and recorded online for public viewing through the RMOW’s website archives. By attending the event, you consent to your personal information being collected and disclosed as per sections 26(c), 26(g), 33.1(1)(q), and 33.2(a) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Your only opportunity to comment on the proposed Bylaw is prior to and during the Public Hearing. Council is not permitted to receive further submissions once it has closed the Public Hearing. All submissions will form part of the public record.
How to make a written submission
If you wish to submit written comments for a public hearing, they must be received no later than two hours before the scheduled start of the first Public Hearing for that day, they will not be accepted after. Letters may be emailed to corporate@whistler.ca. Correspondence should be addressed “to Mayor and Council”, must contain your civic mailing address, and must specify the Bylaw on which your letter is commenting. All submissions will form part of the public record.
Development input opportunities
Members of the public are provided opportunities for comment on certain land use and development applications consistent with statutory requirements and RMOW practices. Find more information about currently scheduled Public Hearings, Notices of Public Hearings Waived, Notices of Intention to Issue Development Variance Permits, Board of Variance Hearings and public input opportunities for rezoning applications at whistler.ca/DevelopmentInput.
