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| You are here > Introduction > Stage 1 > Mandatory Public Consultation Stage 1: Setting the Stage - External Communication - Mandatory Public Consultation |
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It is important to note that although public consultation is recommended throughout the process of redeveloping former service stations, public consultation is a mandatory requirement at specific steps in the redevelopment process as identified in current provincial legislation. The development of early planning tools requires mandatory public consultation that is led by the Municipality. This up-front consultation is meant to develop consensus around planning issues and replace consultations that typically take place later on that often slow and delay the redevelopment of a project.
Early and ongoing communication is a key success factor to redevelop typical service stations and it is important to engage in dialogue with relevant stakeholders including municipal and regional governments, property owners, developers, and key interest groups. Examples of potential interest groups are shown in the diagram below.
Poor communication is often a major barrier that impedes redevelopment projects. Municipalities should take on the role of facilitator to ensure effective communication and coordination. This includes identifying key stakeholders to be engaged, working with developers and interest groups to identify potential redevelopment options (both interim and end land-uses for typical service stations), and distributing information on the proposed remediation and redevelopment plan.
Effective communication between different stakeholders, especially property owners, will improve understanding regarding the Community Vision, municipal concerns and priorities, industry interests and priorities and encourage sharing of information and a coordinated approach. This early dialogue will also help to encourage interest from the development community. The Municipality should consider promoting their brownfield strategies and financial incentives and in particular, clearly show the Municipality's interest in working with developers and property owners. Municipalities can also play a role in linking developers with property owners.
Municipalities should identify and develop good working relationships with other relevant government agencies prior to undertaking projects to redevelop service stations in their communities. This includes upper-tier municipalities (where applicable) and provincial and federal organizations. All of these governments have regulations and policies that municipalities will need to comply with to successfully redevelop service stations. There are four major areas where a lack of coordination and consistency of approach between upper and lower tier municipalities may exist:
- Financial Incentives;
- Road Access;
- Municipal Water; and
- Harmonization between Governments and Their Departments.
For additional information on communication, please consult the Brownfields Toolbox.
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