A Public Hearing has been announced for the proposed development on Lindley Creek Rd. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the hearing will be held virtually, a first for the City of Merritt.

The hearing will be held on Jan. 12, 2021. Council will be in Chambers at 6 p.m., however due to a resolution passed by council in accordance with Public Health Orders, the public will not be permitted to attend in person. The hearing will, however, be broadcast live.

Those who wish to submit their input will have two options: written submissions and technology-based submissions.

“Written submissions can always be made to a public hearing, and they’re particularly encouraged at the moment,” said Director of Corporate Services, Greg Lowis.

“A written submission always has just as much weight as someone who speaks in person. We’ve extended the deadline for these until 5pm the day before the Hearing, which gives people more time to become aware of the Hearing, write their thoughts down, and get them in.”

Your submission can be written in physical form and delivered via the drop box on the side of City Hall, or mailed to:

Merritt City Hall

P.O. Box 189

V1K 1B8.

Emails may be submitted to [email protected]

Please ensure that your submission is clearly marked for the Jan. 12 Public Hearing.

“We’re welcoming anyone who wants to submit video or audio recordings of their views, as a substitute to speaking in person,” added Lowis.

“And again, I’d emphasise that spoken representations always have the same weight as written representations, so if anyone isn’t comfortable about this, they are very welcome to write in instead. They can use the cameras or microphones on their phones, tablets, webcams, etc. These can then be dropped off or mailed into City Hall on a USB stick, or uploaded to a person’s YouTube or other video site account and email us the link, or submitted to the City’s Facebook messenger account. Or they can telephone City Hall at 250-378-4224, and leave a voicemail for Greg Lowis or Don McArthur, clearly stating it is for the Public Hearing on Jan. 12.”

If these options are not possible or satisfactory for those wishing to make a submission, they are welcome to contact Greg Lowis at City Hall and request additional help or information.

A video announcement containing this information will also be made available to Merrittonians in the new year.