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RDEK Board Highlights
The following is a breakdown as to what occurred during the Oct. 2 Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) board meeting.
West Fernie engineering contract scope expanded
The engineering services contract with the Kerr Wood Leidal / MPE Engineering team for the West Fernie Servicing and Restructure Project has been increased by $104,967 to include the geotechnical investigation and service card survey for the upper part of West Fernie and Highway 3 crossing design.
Planning process underway for Fairmont and Columbia Lake area
The board authorized the preparation of a new Official Community Plan for the Fairmont Hot Springs and Columbia Lake Area. The existing OCP for the area was adopted in 2004. It is anticipated that the plan area will be expanded to the south, east and west to incorporate private land holdings along Columbia Lake, Whitetail Lake, Findlay Creek and Whiteswan Lake (pictured above). In the coming months, residents and landowners can expect to hear more about this planning process and how to get involved.
Group moorage on Tie Lake
The board considered a referral from the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations (MFLNRO) for a foreshore tenure to allow for a private group moorage at Tie Lake.
The dock being proposed by the Tie Five Society would be located in front of land designated as public lake access owned by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. The board decided to inform MFLNRO that the RDEK does not support the application at this time and that the RDEK will consult with the public about foreshore management and private moorage on Tie Lake as part of the recently launched Official Community Plan process for the Jaffray, Tie and Rosen Lake areas. The final decision on the dock application rests with MFLNRO.
Parks plan amended
The Regional Parks Plan has been amended to add the Wilmer Community Park (historically known as Selkirk Park) as an Electoral Area G Regional Park. The RDEK’s Crown lease was recently renewed and the province has approved the RDEK’s management plan for the park.
Application submitted for fuel management funding
An application has been submitted to the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) for funding under the Strategic Wildfire Prevention Initiative Program for a fuel management prescription at Panorama Mountain Resort. If the application is successful, the RDEK will administer the grant funding.
New bylaw adopted for Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena
In preparation for the RDEK assuming the operations of the Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena, the board has adopted a new Regulation and Fee Bylaw.
The bylaw lays out user fee and rental rates, which are consistent with the rates previously charged by the Columbia Valley Recreation Society.
Proposed Fire Protection Service Area boundary changes
There are some proposed changes to the boundaries between the Invermere Rural Fire and Windermere Fire Protection Service area boundaries. Under the proposed changes, the Juniper Heights area would move from the Invermere Rural Fire Service to the Windermere Fire Service and the Invermere Rural Fire Protection Service boundary would be extended to include properties on Toby Creek Road and Larch Point. The RDEK has given three readings to the bylaws, which will now be submitted to the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development for approval before coming back before the RDEK Board for adoption. If approved in time, the service changes will take effect in 2016.
Spur Valley water upgrade nearing completion
The Spur Valley Water Upgrade is nearing completion and the newly installed well, pump house and chlorination system will soon be ready to use. A process is underway to transfer ownership of the water system from the Spur Valley Improvement District (SVID) to the RDEK. This requires the Improvement District be dissolved by a Provincial Order-in-Council. The RDEK and SVID have signed an operations agreement allowing the RDEK to assume operations of the Spur Valley Water System until the SVID has been dissolved and ownership fully transfers to the RDEK.
Special event licencing fees changed
The RDEK Control of Special Events Bylaw has been amended to include an application fee of $90 for a Special Event Licence. Previously, there was a $10 licence fee per day of the event. The application fee helps cover the cost of staff time processing applications.
Director appointed to committee
Director Don McCormick (City of Kimberley Mayor) has been appointed to represent the RDEK on the Columbia Basin Rural Development Institute Advisory Committee.
Discretionary Grants-in Aid (DGIA)
The City of Cranbrook will receive $6490.40 from the Electoral Area C DGIA account. The funds will be used to sponsor several free public swimming and aquafit sessions to encourage rural and non-city residents to utilize the Aquatic Centre.
The Royal Canadian Legion branches in Fernie and Sparwood will receive $45 each from the Electoral Area A DGIA account for Remembrance Day wreaths.
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 71 will receive $75 from the Electoral Area F DGIA account, while Branch No. 199 in Edgewater will receive $75 from the Electoral Area G DGIA account for Remembrance Day wreaths.
PUBLIC MEETINGS
Area B Official Community Planning Process
Wednesday, October 14 —7 to 9 p.m., Jaffray Community Hall ,7375 Jaffray Village Loop Rd, Jaffray. At the Jaffray meeting, there will be a review of the current land use policy for the Jaffray, Tie Lake and Rosen Lake areas and preliminary discussion on values and identified issues.
Area B Official Community Planning Process
Tuesday, October 20 —7 to 9 p.m., Elko Community Hall,
5445 Bate Avenue, Elko. At the Elko meeting, we will explore land use planning and the level of public support for land use planning and regulations in the North Star Lake, Suzanne Lake, Galloway and Elko areas.
Kimberley Rural OCP Review
Wednesday, October 21 —7 to 9 p.m. Centennial Hall, 100 – 4th Avenue, Kimberley. This introductory public meeting will initiate the review of the Kimberley Rural Official Community Plan (OCP).
Central Community Directed Funds Committee
Thursday, November 12 —3 p.m. RDEK Board Room (Cranbrook)
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Thursday, October 22
4 p.m . Regional District of East Kootenay Board Room 19 24th Avenue South, Cranbrook for Bylaw No. 2642—Regional District of East Kootenay – Wycliffe Zoning and Floodplain Management Bylaw No. 2256, 2010 – Amendment Bylaw No. 9, 2015 (Wycliffe / 310613 BC Ltd.)
Thursday, October 22
7 p.m. Fernie Family Centre 521 – 4th Avenue, Fernie for Bylaw No. 2564—Regional District of East Kootenay – Elk Valley Zoning Bylaw No. 829, 1990 – Amendment Bylaw No. 70, 2014 (Miscellaneous / RDEK) Bylaw No. 2574—Regional District of East Kootenay – Island Lake Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 2170, 2009 – Amendment Bylaw No. 1, 2014 (Miscellaneous / RDEK) and;
Bylaw No. 2576—Regional District of East Kootenay – Fernie Alpine Resort Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 2363, 2012 – Amendment Bylaw No. 1, 2014 (Miscellaneous / RDEK).
Thursday, October 22
7 p.m. Fernie Family Centre, 521 – 4th Avenue, Fernie for Bylaw No. 2625—Regional District of East Kootenay – Elk Valley Zoning Bylaw No. 829, 1990 – Amendment Bylaw No. 77, 2015 (Density Averaging / RDEK).
Tuesday, October 27
7 p.m. Edgewater Community Hall, 4818 Selkirk Avenue, Edgewater for Bylaw No. 2644—Regional District of East Kootenay – Upper Columbia Valley Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 1992 – Amendment Bylaw No. 306, 2015 (Edgewater / Maione).
Wednesday, October 28
7 p.m. Wasa Community Hall
, 6145 Wasa School Road, Wasa for Bylaw No. 2645—Regional District of East Kootenay – Electoral Area E Zoning and Floodplain Management Bylaw No. 2502, 2014 – Amendment Bylaw No. 8, 2015 (Skookumchuck / Cote).
Thursday, October 29
7 p.m. Jaffray Community Hall, 7375 Jaffray Village Loop Road, Jaffray for Bylaw No. 2568—Regional District of East Kootenay – South Country Zoning & Floodplain Management Bylaw No. 2320, 2011 – Amendment Bylaw No. 8, 2014 (Miscellaneous / RDEK).
Thursday, October 29
7 p.m. Jaffray Community Hall
, 7375 Jaffray Village Loop Road, Jaffray for Bylaw No. 2619—Regional District of East Kootenay – SweetWater Zoning and Floodplain Management Bylaw No. 2127, 2009 – Amendment Bylaw No. 4, 2015 (Density Averaging / RDEK); and
Bylaw No. 2622—Regional District of East Kootenay – South Country Zoning & Floodplain Management Bylaw No. 2320, 2011 – Amendment Bylaw No. 9, 2015 (Density Averaging / RDEK).
Office closures
Both the Cranbrook and Columbia Valley RDEK offices will also be closed for the Thanksgiving statutory holiday on Monday, October 12 and reopen on Tuesday, October 13 at 8:30 a.m. for regular business hours.
Transfer station/landfill closures
Also during Thanksgiving Monday, Oct. 12, the transfer stations at Cranbrook, Elkford, Kimberley and Sparwood and the Central Landfill we closed. They will all re-open for regular service hours on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
Next board meetings
Thursday, Nov. 5 – Committee meetings TBA
Friday, Nov. 6 – RDEK board meeting
RDEK
