At its Regular Meeting on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, beginning at 6:30 pm, Smithers Town Council will hold a public hearing to consider the following bylaw:
Bylaw No. 2015: To amend the Town of Smithers Zoning Bylaw No. 1987 to remove “Rescue Mission” use from the list of principal uses permitted in C-1A Downtown Commercial zone, while adding new provisions and definitions to enable a site-specific approach to permitting emergency shelter use in the community. The Bylaw also includes subdivision-related amendments to the AP-1 Airport One and AP-2 Airport Industrial Zone regulations.
The Town-initiated bylaw intends to strengthen the Town’s existing land use approval framework for permitting new emergency shelter operations in the community. The proposed changes will require Council approval and mandatory community engagement prior to establishing new temporary or year-round emergency shelter operations within the Town boundaries. The proposed airport zone-related amendments will make airport lands more attractive for industrial investment, contributing to the Airport’s economic sustainability.
Anyone who believes they will be affected by the proposed bylaw is invited to attend the public hearing to make written or verbal submissions to Council for consideration. All written submissions to be included on the Council meeting agenda must be submitted either in person at the Town Office or via email at general@smithers.ca, and received before 01:00 p.m. on Monday, September 21, 2026. The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at the Town Hall, 1027 Aldous Street, Smithers, BC, and Facebook livestreamed at: https://www.facebook.com/TownofSmithers The proposed bylaw and relevant background information is available at www.smithers.ca or at the Town Office (1027 Aldous Street) Monday to Friday, excluding holidays, between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For more information / questions on the bylaw, contact Deepa Chandran, Manager of Planning and Climate Readiness at (250) 847-1600, or dchandran@smithers.ca.
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