The Alternative Approval Process used to bring inquisitive looks from the public, but it’s becoming a more familiar term to North Cowichan residents in recent years.
The most notable occurrence for the AAP, of course, was to obtain assent from voters for the construction of the new $48 million RCMP building.
Another AAP is happening, likely in June, to determine if the municipality will proceed with the borrowing of $4.8 million to replace the aging Crofton fire hall.
Familiarity may be one thing, but accepting the purpose of the AAP is still quite another for many.
The AAP requires 10 per cent of North Cowichan voters to sign an Elector Response Form if in opposition to a project. Critics compare it to a negative billing situation where you will get something you don’t necessarily want unless you respond accordingly.
And even if the AAP in this case meets the requirements, it doesn’t mean the project is dead. The municipality could still go to a referendum with the proposal, especially with elections coming up in October so it wouldn’t require an added cost.
The other scenario if the AAP succeeds, meaning the bid to borrow fails just to confuse the issue, is the municipality could scrap it or look at other alternatives.
The thinking of staff is AAPs are usually held when council commits to a project and knows it’s something the community can’t do without. The Crofton fire hall would certainly fit into that category because an adequate facility for Crofton firefighters is obviously a must.
However, how much support that will garner from the rest of the municipality to foot the bill remains to be seen.
Annual debt servicing costs and the amount required per household to pay it off each year is another expense on top of so many within North Cowichan that people aren’t as anxious as they once were to offer their support.
We all know how inflation is spiraling out of control and something has to give. It would be unfortunate if this project was scrapped because of that, but there are only so many dollars to go around.
People will make their choice known one way or another in this next AAP.