VICTORIA - Electronic submission of the first digital subdivision plan over private land
marks another milestone in using technology to improve service to our customers, BC
Land Title and Survey Authority CEO Godfrey Archbold said today.
"The Land Title and Survey Authority has been accepting digital survey plans over
Crown land since July of 2006 and we are now expanding this service to electronic
submission of digital survey plans over private land," said Archbold. "This enhancement
to the electronic filing system of the Authority is another important step in modernizing our business practices."
The electronic filing of survey plans over Crown lands has been highly successful, as
nearly 70 per cent of plans submitted to the Surveyor General Division are now sent
through the electronic filing system. Digital survey plans have proven to be quicker and easier to register, thereby paving the way for faster development approvals.
The first digital subdivision plan over private land was registered on land in the
District of Saanich by Sayward Hill Developments Ltd. "The digital survey plan makes it
much easier to coordinate a complex plan with documentation packages," said Pat
Psaila, the Notary Public working on behalf of the developer. "Survey plans can be
circulated electronically at the same time to all parties for signature, which significantly
speeds up the process."
"We have been e-filing documents for some time and digital survey plans for both
private and Crown land are an efficient way for all parties to do business," said Chris
Nation, legal counsel for the District of Saanich. "The submission of digital survey plans
reduces printing and courier costs, and provides advanced security features not available with conventional hard copy survey plan submissions. The digital signature certificate embedded into these survey plans, which validates the online identity and professional credentials of the registrant, is an example of a security feature available only on e-filing of survey plans."
"Being able to electronically submit the digital subdivision plan has speeded the
process and saved time for us," said Karen Jawl, project manager for Sayward Hill
Developments Ltd. "Electronic filing provides important efficiencies and is a good use of technology to benefit our business. We are pleased to be involved with the first digital subdivision plan over private land and look forward to having all of our future
development plans done electronically."
The digital survey plan project has involved a great deal of consultation with the
Association of British Columbia Land Surveyors, municipalities and various government
agencies to ensure the needs of all sectors are appropriately taken into account.
"Survey plans are vital to property transactions in British Columbia and electronic
submission of plans makes the process quicker, enhances security and reduces costs,"
said Archbold. "We greatly value the collaboration of clients and stakeholders as we
work to enhance service through technology such as electronic filing."
