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RDEK Board Highlights
The following is a synopsis as to what occurred during the August 7 Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) board of directors’ meeting in Cranbrook.
Steeples OCP and Zoning Bylaw
The board gave Bylaws No. 2614 and 2615 first and second readings and authorized a public hearing for the proposed Steeples Official Community Plan, and Zoning and Floodplain Management Bylaw. The bylaws will cover the area from Fort Steele south to the Bull River, including the communities of Mayook and Wardner. The OCP is a long- range planning document to guide future land use change and the zoning bylaw regulates development. The bylaws will replace the old Fort Steele-Bull River Land Use Bylaw and represent the first community plan and development regulation for the Mayook and Wardner areas. The public hearing for Bylaws 2614 and 2615 will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 27 at the Wardner Community Hall.
UBCM Convention meetings planned
RDEK directors will be meeting with several provincial ministers and others at the 2015 Union of BC Municipalities Convention. Some of the meetings will include:
– Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations re: funds from the sale of Lake Windermere Foreshore should be used to improve public access to the lake; and, private managed forest land legislation.
– Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure re: Traffic Study and turning lane on Highway 3 from Ski Hill Road to City of Fernie northern boundary.
– Deputy Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure re: Highway 3 traffic back ups.
– Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development re: West Fernie Servicing Project; and the status of the Jumbo Glacier Mountain Resort as a municipality.
– ALC Chair—re: the status of ALC delegation agreements for Areas A and E.
– Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training re: Columbia Valley Branding and Marketing.
– Minister of Environment re: Multi-Material BC and solutions to ensure recycling services are adequately provided in the East Kootenay.
Elko Fire Hall construction contract awarded
The Elko Fire Hall construction contract has been awarded to Cranbrook’s New Dawn Construction. The construction is expected to take about two months to complete. A special thanks goes out to Canfor for donating all the wall lumber for the new two-bay building.
Kimberley Rural Official Community Plan review
The RDEK will be working with the residents of the Kimberley rural area over the next year and a half to update the Kimberley Rural Official Community Plan. Adopted in 2006, the existing OCP covers an area extending from the St. Mary River Valley to Meadowbrook and provides guidance and land use policy to direct future growth and development around the City of Kimberley. It is anticipated that among the issues a new plan might address are the protection of the St. Mary Lake shoreline, interface fire hazards and rural development issues adjacent to the city’s boundary. In the coming months, residents can expect to hear more about how to get involved in this process.
Interest in Elko Provincial Park land
The RDEK will notify the province that it is interested in acquiring the Elko Provincial Park land. RDEK staff will prepare a detailed assessment on the lands and the steps necessary to acquire the property.
Timber Ridge Utility Advisory Commission members appointed
Nicole Frechette, Tony Schneider and Dave Smith have been appointed to the Timber Ridge Utility Advisory Commission for a two-year term.
Wasa Lions Trail to receive funding
The RDEK board has approved $12,054 from the Community Works Fund trails reserve for repairs to the Wasa Lions Trail.
Moyie broadband service closer to reality
The RDEK board has approved $20,200 from the Community Works Fund for the Yahk Area Communications Society broadband project to provide service to the Moyie area.
Wilmer Community Park designated an Area G park
The Wilmer Community Park (historically known as Selkirk Park) has been designated as an Electoral Area G park and the Regional Parks plan will be amended accordingly. RDEK staff are now working on a management plan for the park, which is required by the province.
Mine Rescue Competition gets funding
A total of $5,000 will be paid from the Electoral Area A portion of the Mine Tax Sharing Funds to the City of Fernie for a contribution toward the cost of hosting the 12th-Biennial National Western Region Mine Rescue Competition.
Special Event Licence approved for Scarecrow Festival
The board approved a Special Event Licence for the Windermere Scarecrow Festival to be held in Windermere September 12.
Discretionary Grants-in-Aid (DGIA)
– Key City Theatre will receive $1,800 from the Electoral Area C DGIA account to help offset the costs of Consultant Services.
– The City of Cranbrook will receive $1,500 from the Electoral Area C DGIA account for its Mosquito Control Program.
– The Wasa & District Historical Association will receive $1,500 from the Electoral Area E DGIA account to go towards the Friends of the Garden project.
Area F town hall meeting
There is an Electoral Area F town hall meeting on Monday, August 24, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Windermere Community Hall. A variety of local issues will be discussed and there will be a presentation by the Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund.
Public meetings
Central East Kootenay Community Directed Funds Committee – August 13 —3 p.m. at the
RDEK Board Room (Cranbrook).
Elk Valley Community Directed Funds Committee – September 11 —9 a.m. at Fernie City Hall.
Public hearings
– Tuesday, August 25 —7 pm Wilmer Community Hall , 9179 West Avenue, Wilmer for Bylaw No. 2628—Regional District of East Kootenay – Upper Columbia Valley Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 1992 – Amendment Bylaw No. 305, 2015 (Wilmer / Cote & Wilson).
– Wednesday, August 26 —7 p.m. Wasa Community Hall, 6145 Wasa School Road, Wasa for Bylaw No. 2565—Regional District of East Kootenay – Electoral Area E Zoning & Floodplain Management Bylaw No. 2502, 2014 – Amendment Bylaw No. 5, 2014 (Miscellaneous / RDEK) -and- Bylaw No. 2572—Regional District of East Kootenay – Kimberley Rural Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1924, 2006 – Amendment Bylaw No. 10, 2014 (Miscellaneous / RDEK).
And Bylaw No. 2634—Regional District of East Kootenay – Electoral Area E Zoning & Floodplain Management Bylaw No. 2502, 2014 – Amendment Bylaw No. 7, 2015 (Wasa / RDEK)
And Bylaw No. 2618—Regional District of East Kootenay – Electoral Area E Zoning and Floodplain Management Bylaw No. 2502, 2014 – Amendment Bylaw No. 6, 2015 (Density Averaging/RDEK)
– Thursday, August 27 —7 p.m. Wardner Community Hall
, 6211 Cartwright Street, Wardner for Bylaw No. 2614—Regional District of East Kootenay – Steeples Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 2614, 2015
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Bylaw No. 2615—Regional District of East Kootenay – Steeples Zoning & Floodplain Management Bylaw No. 2615, 2015.
Next board meetings
Thursday, Sept. 3 – Committee meetings – TBA
Friday, Sept. 4, 9 a.m. at RDEK board room.
For more information, please visit our website: www.rdek.bc.ca or follow us on Facebook and let the news come to you: www.facebook.com/eastkootenay.
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