Prince George, B.C. – The deadline for petitions to stop the expansion of the Downtown Business Improvement Area has passed, and City Hall staff must now validate the petitions received. 

Deputy City Clerk Wendy Nordin is not prepared to say how many petitions had been delivered by the deadline, but those who oppose the expansion believe the number to be in the 70 -80 range.

The process will see the petitions reviewed to ensure the right property owner has signed the petition, and that the assessed value has been calculated.

While the process calls for 50% of all property owners, and 50% of the assessed land value to file a petition if the expansion is to be stopped,  the most recent Council meeting showed there were some Councillors who seem willing to reconsider the matter even if the number of petitions falls short. 

The bylaw needs a fourth and final approval if the Downtown Business Improvement area is to be expanded and the current DBIA to   continue to exist.  Although the DBIA could have asked to have its mandate renewed without including the expansion plan, it opted to put the two issues forward at the same time.

If the expansion plan is approved, businesses will see their taxes increase by $1.70 per one thousand dollars of assessment.