The following is a synopsis of what occurred during the May 3 District of Sparwood council meeting.

BYLAWS

Financial Plan (2023-2027) and Tax Rate Bylaws

Both the Financial Plan (2023-2027) and Tax Rate bylaws were brought back to council and were adopted as an annual process.

Minor Development Variance Permit (DVP) Delegation

A new Delegation Bylaw and an amendment to the Development Application Procedures Bylaw was presented and given first, second, and third readings. These bylaws will allow minor development variance permit (DVP) applications to be delegated to the Director of Planning and Development (or the CAO in their absence). By delegating powers to staff to issue minor DVPs, Staff and clients will see a reduction in application processing time and potentially a reduction in workload which frees up capacity for other applications and projects.

BUSINESS

Development Variance Permit

The development variance permit DVP2023-003 for 2100 Middletown Place to reduce the required provision of off-street parking by 44 stalls to accommodate a new McDonald’s development was approved. Read more.

Sparwood Public Library Board Appointment

Council appointed Councillor Sam Atwal to the Sparwood Public Library Board for a two-year term. The council representative will be a full voting member of the board.

Columbia Basin Trust 2023/2024 Resident Directed (ReDi) Grant

This program is funded through the Columbia Basin Trust and the Regional District of East Kooteny (RDEK) sets the criteria, deadlines, and a public process to use when reviewing the project applications.

Council heard from the applicants at a special meeting on April 25 and approved their allocations at the May 2 meeting. They are as follows:

1. BC Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals – East Kootenay Branch = $500
2. Blue Lake Forest Education Society = $2,450
3. Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network = $500
4. East Kootenay Invasive Species Council = $957.14
5. East Kootenay Performing Arts Festival Society = $442.86
6. East Kootenay Regional Science Fair Society = $500
7. Elk River Watershed Alliance = $11,949.72
8. Fernie Pets Society = $400
9. Fernie Pride Society = $1,505.63
10. Fernie Trails & Ski Touring Club = $1,331.34
11. Kootenay Carshare Cooperative = $1,300
12. Ktunaxa/Kinbasket Child and Family Services Society = $9,191.33
13. Northern BC Friends of Children – East Kootenay Branch = $500
14. Reel Canadian Film Society = $600
15. Sparwood Golf Club = $13,311.37
16. Sparwood and District Chamber of Commerce = $10,000
17. Sunset Ridge Ski Society = $3,014
18. The Canadian Red Cross Society = $885
19. Valley Riders Sparwood Society = $2,500

Notice of Disposition of Land

Pursuant to Sections 26 and 94 of the Community Charter notice is hereby given that the District of Sparwood intends to dispose of 6000 Highway 43, a 15.6-acre lot, being those lands identified in the attached map outlined below and located at the intersection of Sparwood Heights Drive and Highway 43.

These lands, zoned M-1 Light Industrial, are not available for public acquisition. The district has entered into a purchase and sale agreement to sell the lands for $431,069 plus payment of the sewer connection fee in the amount of $68,931 with all legal and conveyancing costs borne by the purchaser in accordance with the Municipal Land Disposition Policy.

UPCOMING DISTRICT COUNCIL MEETINGS

• Regular Meeting Tuesday, May 16 in Council Chambers (136 Spruce Avenue) at 6 p.m.
• Socio-Community and Economic Effects Advisory Committee Wednesday, May 17 in Council Chambers at 6 p.m.
• Regular Meeting Tuesday, June 6 in Council Chambers at 6 p.m.

e-KNOW file photos

District of Sparwood

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