Submitted. The City of Abbotsford is pleased to announce the members of the new Citizen Advisory Commission in support of the Abbotsforward, Official Community Plan (OCP) update project, said Mayor, Bruce Banman today.
Over 30 applications for the Citizen Advisory Commission were received and a nine member group was selected by Abbotsford City Council last week.
“We are very pleased with the response from residents wishing to be a part of this important advisory committee,” said Banman. “The residents represented on this Commission will have direct input into Abbotsford’s updated OCP which will guide how future development occurs across our City for years to come.”
The Citizen Advisory Commission will meet once a month and will help shape the future of Abbotsford by reviewing land use policy, helping with community engagement and giving feedback on new planning ideas. The members of the Citizen Advisory Commission are:
Gurminder S. Gobindpuri
Nissa Hildebrand
Sonya Hossmann
Denise Laier
Aaron Levy
Eden Luymes
Carson Noftle
Crystal Salter
Hardeep Sidhu
The public engagement activities of the Abbotsforward OCP update project officially launched on July 1 at Abbotsford’s Canada Day celebrations, and the project team has since engaged with nearly 600 residents at eight different local events over the summer.
As part of the initial public engagement campaign, the ‘Picture Your City’ photo activity, which asked residents to send in what they like, dislike and wish for in Abbotsford, received over 95 photo submissions. These photos will help in informing City staff what residents want from their city. A sample of the photos taken can be found at www.abbotsforward.ca
Staff will begin compiling all the information from the community engagement events, as well as from initial research, analysis and workshops to prepare a Background Research report for Council to consider next month.
This has got to be a first…. “no members at large” (as the city refers to
committee members not directly being repres. as an organization on
a committee.) directly or indirectly tied to the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce past and present Exe. or ADBA Exec. yet, called members
at large…well except, a couple of individuals directly and repeatedly to
the Abbotsford CHamber of Commerce, self-interest group in the city.
Citizen Engagement……..wait not so fast……
The city has appointed well known development at all cost mentality, city developer ,Carson Noftle to chair this new OCP committee,
which includes citizens, most of them who probably have no idea about
the direction of growth and development in the city and the dynamics
of neighborhoods in this city.
Appointing, Noftle as chair of this committee may be like putting the
“Fox in the Hen House.”
Time will tell.
Carson Noftle “was” an architect; retired since two years ago; spent last two years on East Coast – a man I have a ton of respect for; lots of integrity!