WDPA Email String

From: Gary
Sent: October 11, 2025 6:22 PM
To: Vivian Li <info@harrisonhotsprings.ca>
Subject: Subject: Wildfire Development Permit Area Designation, Adjacent Vegetation Hazard

Letter to Council and Planning ... Wildfire DPA Classification and Adjacent Vegetation Hazard Dear Mayor, Council, and Planning Staff, I am writing to formally raise a cncern regarding he inclusion

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Letter to Council and Planning ... Wildfire DPA Classification and Adjacent Vegetation Hazard

Dear Mayor, Council, and Planning Staff,

I am writing to formally raise a concern regarding the inclusion of my property within a Wildfire Development Permit Area (WDPA) boundary. The classification of my property as “high wildfire risk” is not the result of any condition on my parcel, but rather due to adjacent private lands across the street that remain undeveloped and contain unmanaged vegetation. I have seen no movement towards remediation of any type in this area.

While I recognize the importance of wildfire protection and responsible planning, it is both unreasonable and unfair to impose WDPA permit conditions, costs, and design restrictions on a property that is only affected by hazards originating elsewhere. It is costing us higher insurance premium; our resale value will also be affected.

Under Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan commitments and the principles of the FireSmart program, the Village has the ability and, I would argue, the responsibility to address hazardous fuel loads on lands that create or amplify community wildfire risk.

If the vegetation on the adjacent parcel is the sole reason for my WDPA designation, then the Village should:

1. Formally review and reassess the WDPA boundary as it applies to my property;

2. Take action to mitigate or require mitigation of hazardous vegetation on the adjacent private parcel through available mechanisms (fuel management agreements, abatement orders, FireSmart programs, or development permit conditions); and

3. Remove or modify the WDPA classification of my property if the hazard is addressed or shown to be external in origin.

Without such action, the Village is effectively downloading a public safety burden and regulatory restriction onto individual property owners while failing to address the actual source of the hazard. That is neither equitable nor consistent with FireSmart’s shared responsibility framework.

I request that this letter be entered into the public record and that Council and Planning provide a written response outlining:

• The specific rationale for my property’s inclusion in the WDPA, and

• What actions the Village will take to address unmanaged hazardous vegetation on adjacent private lands that contribute to WDPA classifications.

Thank you, Gary Webster

520 McCombs Drive,
Harrison Hot Springs, BC
Ph: 236-988-6606

From: Gary
Sent: Friday, November 7, 2025 9:53 AM
To: Tyson Koch Cc: Amanda Graham < Mayor & Council < Christy Ovens < Subject: Re: Subject: Wildfire Development Permit Area Designation, Adjacent Vegetation Hazard

Hi Tyson,

Thank you for your reply and explanation of the purpose of the Village’s Wildfire Development Permit Area (WDPA).

However, your response does not address the specific questions raised in my original letter. I asked for the factual basis and mapping criteria used to include my developed parcel within the WDPA, given that the identified wildfire hazard originates from the undeveloped and overgrown private lands across the street.

To clarify my request, could you please provide:

1. The wildfire hazard assessment or mapping source used to delineate the WDPA boundary in my area;

2. The specific factors used to classify my property as “high risk”; and

3. Any planned or available mechanisms the Village has to require or encourage vegetation management on adjacent properties that create or amplify community risk.

The Local Government Act allows DPA designations to protect development from hazardous conditions, but it also presumes that designations are supported by documented professional assessments. If the hazard is entirely external to my parcel, I would appreciate the opportunity to have the boundary reviewed or corrected accordingly.

Thank you again for your time and attention to this matter. I look forward to your clarification.

Thank you,

Gary Webster

520 McCombs Drive

Harrison Hot Springs, BC

236-988-6606

From: Tyson Koch < Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 10:48 AM
To: Gary Webster <
Cc: Amanda Graham < Mayor & Council < >; Christy Ovens < >
Subject: Subject: Wildfire Development Permit Area Designation, Adjacent Vegetation Hazard

Good morning Gary,

Please forgive the delayed response to your email.

The rationale behind a wildfire development permit area is not to designate individual homes based on their home’s specific conditions, but those that go beyond. The homes included in the Village’s wildfire development permit area were identified as being at risk due to the proximity to the wildland-urban interface, where development meets forested areas. They are not implemented to designate areas for remediation, but rather to recognize the built environment in proximity to the interface. Wildfire development permit areas are designed to support community resiliency through precautionary measures in building design, construction, and landscaping of future developments. Under the Local Government Act, development permit areas can be designated to protect development from hazardous conditions, most often which result from risks originating elsewhere (geotechnical hazards, flood plain, wildfire, etc).

Wildfire development permit areas are in place throughout the province and are recommended by FireSmart as part of the shared responsibility framework. These permit areas translate the FireSmart policies and best practices into enforceable local policies to enhance resiliency. FireSmart highlights that everyone has a role and implementing these policies requires developers and property owners to follow wildfire-resilient building and landscaping standards.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to call.

Tyson Koch AScT, RSIS
Chief Administrative Officer
Village of Harrison Hot Springs
Resort Municipality

T: 604-796-2171
W: harrisonhotsprings.ca
P.O. Box 160, 495 Hot Springs Road
Harrison Hot Springs, BC V0M 1K0

Gary Webster

​Tyson Koch​

​Amanda Graham;​Mayor & Council;​Christy Ovens​

Hi Tyson,

On November 7, 2025, I submitted a letter requesting the rationale for my property’s inclusion in the WDPA and the Village’s plan to address wildfire hazards originating from adjacent private lands.

It has now been 18 days with no acknowledgment or response.

Please confirm:

1. That my letter has been received and entered into the public record; and

2. When I can expect a substantive written response from Planning and Council.

Thank you, Gary Webster

236-988-6606