Elkview’s Baldy Ridge 2 Pit

Teck Coal Limited – Elkview Operations has advised the District of Sparwood of a planned startup of operations in Elkview’s Baldy Ridge 2 pit. The pit, as seen from Sparwood, is located on the southern end of the undeveloped portion of Baldy Ridge. Operations are planned to commence on May 10 with the re-handling of legacy waste. Blasting for mining purposes will start later in the year, approximately December, when all legacy waste has been removed.

Zoning Bylaw Amendment

Following a hearing to receive input from the public, Zoning Bylaw No. 264, 1981, Amendment Bylaw 1150, 2014 was given third reading and referred to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure for approval by District of Sparwood council May 5. The owner of 1052 Highway 3 has applied to rezone the land from Agricultural Land to Light Industrial to erect a temporary storage and maintenance shop with the intent to construct a permanent facility in the future. The property is located across Highway 3 from the Sparwood Transfer Station.

Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy

Meghan Morton, Literacy Coordinator for the Elk Valley, attended the Council Meeting to inform council of programs offered by the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (CBAL) for families, children, youth, adults, and seniors. For more information about any of their programs please contact Meghan at [email protected] or visit their website at www.cbal.org/elk-valley.

Consolidated financial statements

Mr. Jim Wooley of Adams Wooley, Certified General Accountant presented the District of Sparwood Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Protective Services Personnel Policy

Council approved the amended Protective Services Personnel Policy as presented. Changes were made to this policy to provide clarification with reference to the full time position of Deputy Chief, officer assignments and duties, and the reduction of the number of volunteer firefighters from 34 to 30.

Development Variance Permit

Council authorized sending out notices to surrounding property owners and tenants who may be affected advising them that council will, at the Regular Meeting of May 20, consider a Development Variance Permit to vary sections of the Zoning Bylaw for 1292 Pinyon Court to allow for a reduction in the minimum side yard and rear yard setbacks. Approval of this amendment will facilitate the construction of a detached garage.

Zoning Bylaw Amendments

Council directed staff to prepare Zoning Bylaw amendments to restrict offices in Light Industrial and Highway Commercial zones and prohibit temporary structures in all zones, with specific exceptions relating to construction projects. These amendments will better regulate the location of offices in Sparwood and the placement of temporary structures.

Corbin Road Boundary Reduction

Council approved a recommendation from the Manager of Planning to proceed with the process of removing of a section of land from the District of Sparwood municipal boundary around the Corbin Road and Highway 3 intersection. With the approval of the electors under the Alternative Approval Process (APP) the district can apply to the province for a boundary reduction. The district is responsible for maintaining approximately one kilometre of Corbin Road.

Shaw Go WiFi Network

After completion of required advertising the Mayor and Corporate Officer were authorized to execute a Partnering Agreement with Shaw for the Shaw Go WiFi network to be installed in district facilities. This would include internal and external installations on civic structures, potentially street lights, and municipal buildings.

Chamber of Commerce

Council approved the Sparwood & District Chamber of Commerce’s funding request for July 1 to June 30, 2015 in the amount of $62,900.

Bylaws

– Bylaw 1119 cited as “Elk Valley Communities Mutual Aid Agreement Bylaw No. 433, 1986 and Crowsnest Pass Mutual Aid Agreement Bylaw No. 835, 2001, Repeal Bylaw 1119, 2013” was adopted.

– Bylaw 1151 cited as “Financial Plan (2014 – 2018) Bylaw 1151, 2014” was adopted.

– Bylaw 1152 cited as “Tax Rates Bylaw 1152, 2014” was adopted. The property tax rates for general municipal were set to provide an average two per cent increase over the previous year for residential tax levies.

Council travel

Any available member of council was authorized to attend the BC Hydro Operational Update meeting in Cranbrook on May 28.

Urban Forest Fuel Management

The District of Sparwood will be undertaking Urban Forest Fuel Management over the next two to six weeks. Trimming, thinning and collecting of wood fuels will take place on district owned properties located along Highway 3 east of the Highway 3 & 43 intersection and along Highway 43 adjacent to Sparwood Heights Drive. Work will include the burning of debris piles during approved venting days. Additional debris pile burning will be completed in the Sparwood Heights area at the Disc Golf Course and the Westwood area. If anyone has any questions or concerns they may contact the Sparwood Recreation Department at 250-425-0552.

Celebrate BC Mining Week May 12 – 16

We recognize the on-going support that the mines provide to the community, not only by way of taxation and employment, but also by the support they give the community through donations, time and scholarships.

Request for quotation: Bylaw Enforcement/Animal Control Officer

The District of Sparwood is requesting quotations from qualified individuals or entities for the delivery of bylaw enforcement and animal control services, by contract, in the District of Sparwood.

Confidential Quotations are to be in a sealed envelope clearly marked: ‘Request for Quotation (RFQ) Package, District of Sparwood Bylaw Enforcement Officer/Animal Control Officer Confidential Submission’ and delivered to the District of Sparwood, 136 Spruce Avenue, Box 520, Sparwood, BC V0B 2G0 no later than 3:00 pm (Local Time) on May 31. Attention: Raeleen Manjak, Director of Corporate Services, District of Sparwood. Phone: 250-425-6271 or [email protected].

Further information and specifications may be obtained from www.Sparwood.ca or at the District Office between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday to Friday, excluding Statutory Holidays.

Residential Spring Clean Up begins Tuesday, May 20

Any person wishing to take advantage of this service is required to register at the District Office no later than Friday, May 16, and pay the required fee of $20. Seniors 65 and over receive this service free of charge; however, it is necessary to register in person or call the District Office.

* Limit of 1 Pickup Truck Load per household.

All refuse including household furniture, white goods, metal, and wood will be picked up including fridges, freezers, or air conditioners. All refuse for disposal must be separated and placed just outside the property line and piled in such a manner that it can be picked up with a loader. Small branches must be tied or secured in bundles.

The following items WILL NOT be picked up:

– Trees and large branches;

– Batteries;

– Vehicles;

– Oil or used oil filters;

– Construction refuse;

– Tires over 16” in diameter;

– Special Wastes as defined by the Ministry of Environment; and

– Recyclable material must be taken to recycling depots.

All refuse must be out by 8:00 am on Tuesday, May 20.

2014 Tax Notices

The 2014 tax notices will be sent out shortly. If you are a new owner and do not receive a tax notice by the end of May, please come into the District Office to obtain a duplicate copy. Notices are mailed to the owners shown on the Assessment Roll. Depending upon the date of purchase, we may not have the new owner’s information and the tax notice will be mailed to the previous owner.

Next meetings of council

– Tuesday, May 20 – Regular Meeting of Council at 7 p.m.

– Monday, May 26 – Committee of the Whole Meeting at 7 p.m.

District of Sparwood

---

Article Share

---