Series GR-3656 - Bylaw approvals, land use planning and administrative records

The series consists of records of two different types, those concerning land use and planning in each municipality, and those concerning other aspects of administering the affairs of each municipality, such as incorporation and boundaries.

The first type of record includes land use planning records, falling under ORCS 52100, in particular those concerning official community plans, local property rezonings including applications to rezone, complaints against violations of zoning, proceedings of public hearings on zoning, building permits, building inspector correspondence and other records. The series also consists of records of the Secretary to the Board of Appeal for various areas, including the regulated areas of North Saanich, the Capital Region, Saanich, View Royal, Golden, including requests for rezoning, for building permits, and for certain types of land use.

The second type consists of bylaw advice and approvals, generally falling under the ORCs classification 51030. These records relate to approving municipal bylaws (except planning bylaws) that required the approval of the minister or inspector of municipalities, as well as providing related bylaw advice and support to municipalities.

The second type (bylaw advice and approvals excepting land planning bylaws) includes records concerning boundaries and boundary extension, local government structure, change of status, disincorporation, amalgamation, and order in council distribution.

The records include the files of the Inspector of Municipalities dating back as early as 1914, which include records concerning a broad range of records regarding the administration of local government, with subject matter including incorporation of localities in the province, changes in municipal status, including dissolution of incorporated bodies, amalgamation, boundaries and boundary extensions; legislation agreements and public investigations. Notably, the records include early files regarding the incorporation of many BC localities. These include plans, boundary descriptions, petitions and letters reflecting public opinion, local incorporation committee records including minutes, financial statements for local governments, and assessment rolls and taxation.

Record types include correspondence, bylaws, bylaw attachments and schedules, forms, sketches, photographs and maps and plans, public notices in newspapers, news articles, position papers, letters patent records and boundary descriptions.