Home »
Sparwood Council Facts
Queenâs Diamond Jubilee Medal
Mayor Lois Halko presented a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal to Ms. Judy Lindley during the Jan. 21 District of Sparwood council meeting. Ms. Lindley has volunteered at the New to You Store in Sparwood for 20 years. The Queenâs Diamond Jubilee medals provide an opportunity to honour exceptional Canadians for their contributions to their fellow citizens, to our communities, and our country.
RDEK â Home Based Business Regulations
Regional District of East Kootenay Electoral Area A Director, Mike Sosnowski, along with staff from the RDEK made a presentation to council on the proposed changes to the regulation governing home based businesses (HBBs). These changes proposed generally expand the allowable activities considered as HBBs, as well as increasing the number of nonresident employees that could be employed in these businesses. More specifically, the current home based business use is to be split into two new use categories: minor and major. The HBB, Minor category would see an increase in the number of non-resident employees from one to two, and allow for an increase in the number of vehicles permitted.
The HBB, Major use category would see an increase in the number of non-resident employees from one to three. Additionally, the allowable uses would be expanded to include commercial and industrial activities, such as ârental of commercial vehicles, heavy machinery or equipmentâ; âgeneral and trade contracting industry,â and âwelding and metal working industry.â
On January 22, a special meeting of council was held to deal specifically with the HBB regulation change issue. Council discussed the various concerns they have with the changes. The concerns of council could be summarized as follows:
1. Broad expansion of uses â the inclusion of industrial activities in residential areas increases the likelihood of conflicts between neighbours.
2. Conflict with Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) – Allowing this level of commercial and industrial activity appears to conflict with the RGS that suggests these business locate within municipalities.
3. Lack of Enforcement â The RDEK does not currently regulate this activity through business licences, and bylaw enforcement is on a complaint basis only. As a result, conflicts of use are unlikely to be resolved.
4. Non-Resident Employees â there is a considerable increase in the number of nonresident employees, which blurs the distinction between HBB and regular commercial enterprise. The draft bylaw also permits the full time equivalent calculation for employees. For example, an owner of a five acre parcel could have six employees for six months of the year.
5. Roads â the regulation allows for HBBs to include commercial vehicles and heavy equipment, which may lead to increased deterioration of roads in these rural residential areas.
6. Environment â allowing industrial activities on rural/residential areas where safeguards and supervision are less likely may lead to negative impacts to the natural environment.
7. Legality of the Scope of the Expanded Definition for a HBB – Council expressed concern that the combined effect of the changes have stretched the HBB use beyond the concept of an accessory use of a property which is zoned residential, to an industrial or commercial use.
The RDEK Board will be considering these Bylaw amendments at the Board Meetings on January 31 and February 1.
Elk Valley Minor Hockey Association
Kevin Atherton and Shawna Klein appeared before council to update it on activities of their association. The association is a non-profit recreational sport society. They have 130 athletes registered between the three communities of Elkford, Sparwood and Fernie. Mr. Atherton and Ms. Klein were also asking council to reconsider the districtâs 60-day cancellation policy for ice rental. Mayor Halko advised that the request will be referred to staff to report back to council at a future regular meeting.
Michel Creek Road water extension
Council approved borrowing $5,000,000 from the Municipal Finance Authority of BC as authorized through âMichel Creek Road Water Extension Loan Authorization Bylaw 1094, 2012â. This amount will paid back over a 25 year term by the land owners in the Michel Creek Road water extension area.
1000 Matevic Road
The owners of 1000 Matevic Road have submitted an application for exclusion from the Agricultural Land Reserve. The agricultural policies of the Official Community Plan state that it is the districtâs objective to maintain the integrity of the Agricultural Land Reserve. Although council declined support for the application, it will be forwarded to the Agricultural Land Commission for their consideration.
Bingay Main Coal Project
Mayor Halko was appointed to Centermount Coal Ltd.âs Bingay Main Coal Project environmental assessment working group. Councillor Fraser was appointed as the alternate.
RDEK â Zoning Bylaw Referral
A zoning bylaw amendment referral from the Regional District of East Kootenay was received by council. This amendment proposes to rezone a 23 ha parcel to allow for the development of 37 residential bare land strata lots, one acreage lot, and a remainder parcel that would remain undeveloped. This land is located approximately seven km northeast of Fernie at the north end of Dicken Road.
Council has concerns regarding this amendment, citing this development is not consistent with the policies contained in the Regional Growth Strategy which states that development should be directed towards municipalities and existing serviced communities. There is further concern that allowing this type of development will undermine the authority of the Regional Growth Strategy such that we see other similar proposals brought forward for consideration. The Bylaw referral response will be returned to the RDEK with a recommendation that approval not be granted.
Federal Fisheries Act – Bill C-38
Council authorized sending a letter to the Federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and MP David Wilks expressing concerns regarding changes to the Federal Fisheries Act â Bill C-38.
Prime Ministerâs Volunteer Awards
The call for nominations for the Prime Ministerâs Volunteer Awards was recently announced by the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. The call for nominations is open between December 20, 2012 and March 1.
The regional component recognizes individual volunteers or groups of volunteers, businesses and not-for-profit organizations. The national component is divided into two categories: one for lifelong achievement and one for new volunteers. Award recipients will be recognized at an award ceremony, and can identify an eligible not-for-profit organization to receive a grant for $5,000 (regional award) or $10,000 (national award). âThe Prime Ministerâs Volunteer Awards recognize the contributions of volunteers, businesses and notfor- profit organizations that help make communities stronger,â said MP David Wilks. âThere are many deserving award recipients in this region, but someone must nominate them.â
Please visit www.pm.gc.ca/awards for more information about the awards and to access the online nomination form.
CETA Agreement
Council authorized sending a letter to the Federal Government and copied to MP David Wilks urging that drinking water and sewer services not be included in the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement negotiations.
Columbian Basin Trust Community Initiatives and Affected Areas Programs
Applications are now being accepted for the 2013/2014 Columbia Basin Trust Community Initiatives and Affected Areas Programs. Application forms and proposal guidelines are available at the District of Sparwood Municipal Office and on the RDEK website at www.rdek.bc.ca under CBT. The application deadline for project proposals is 4:30 p.m. Monday, February 18.
Work BC Employment Services Centre
Starting in February, the Elk Valley Employment Centre services will be available in Sparwood every Tuesday. The mobile kiosk will be set up the Sparwood Chamber of Commerce from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The kiosk will be hosted by qualified staff who can provide support in preparing your resume or cover letter, job searching or preparing for an interview. For more information please contact [email protected] or phone 250-423-4204 or 1-855-651-3027.
Upcoming meetings (In council chambers)
– Monday, January 28 – Public Relations Committee Meeting at 6 p.m.
– Monday, January 28 – Committee of the Whole Meeting at 7 p.m.
– Monday, February 4 – Regular Meeting at 7 p.m.
Council Facts is a publication by the District of Sparwood which summarizes the key decisions of Council. Council meetings are held on the first and third Monday of each month. The public is encouraged to attend regular council and committee meetings. The agenda is available on line at www.Sparwood.ca on the Friday before the meeting. Minutes of Council are available, once adopted, on our website at www.Sparwood.ca .
