The following is a synopsis of what occurred during the April 6 Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) board of directors’ meeting.

Board gives third reading to rezoning for Moyie tower property

The board gave third reading and approved Bylaw No. 2816 in principle. If adopted, Bylaw 2816 will rezone the affected property to permit a telecommunications tower. The bylaw will now be sent to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure for its consideration before it is considered for adoption by the RDEK Board.

Contract awarded for Elk River Floodplain Mapping Project

The engineering services contract for the Elk River Floodplain Mapping Project has been awarded to Northwest Hydraulic Consultants Ltd (NHC). The project will include floodplain mapping from upstream of Hosmer to the Morrissey Bridge (excluding the City of Fernie which has recently been mapped). It will also include Mine Creek and Hosmer Creek in the community of Hosmer. The RDEK was awarded 100% funding through the National Disaster Mitigation Program for $250,000.

Lease agreement to be terminated early

With the RDEK set to take over ownership of the Parr Utility Building at the end of May, the board has approved the early termination of the lease with BC Hydro for office space to allow for the relocation of the RDEK’s Columbia Valley office to the Parr Utility building later this year. The RDEK will provide advance notification prior to a move.

Applications to be submitted for fuel management prescriptions

The RDEK will submit funding applications to Columbia Basin Trust ($8,200) and the Union of BC Municipalities’ Strategic Wildfire Prevention Initiative Fuel Management Prescription Program ($49,200) for fuel management prescriptions in the following six Priority 1 areas identified in the RDEK Community Wildfire Protection Plan:

• Elko (Caithness/Galloway area) – 199.2 hectares

• 

  Moyie (west side of Moyie Lake) – 31.2 hectares

• Premier Lake (north of Premier Lake) – 14.8 hectares
• Fairmont Rural (west of Dutch Creek) – 42.9 hectares
• Toby Benches (southwest of Wilmer) – 38.6 hectares
• Toby Benches (southwest of Wilmer) – 44.3 hectares

A fuel management prescription is a document that identifies the objectives and strategies to lower the wild re hazard in an identified area.

Emergency Program agreements signed

Gary Burford will continue on as the Deputy Emergency Program Coordinator for the Columbia Valley Emergency Program for the term May 1 to December 31. Scott Robinson will take on the role of Emergency Social Services Director of the Elk Valley & South Country Emergency Program for the term April 9, 2018 to December 31, 2019.

Draft Amendment to Elk Valley OCP

The board has directed staff to prepare an amendment to the Elk Valley Official Community Plan to support new commercial development in the rural area. The proposal would apply to rural properties north of Hosmer. Once a draft bylaw has been prepared, the board will review the proposal before deciding whether to proceed with the OCP amendment process and hold a public hearing.

Letter of support for crosswalk

The RDEK will send a letter to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure supporting the request from School District No. 5 Southeast Kootenay for a crosswalk on Highway 3 by Tie Lake Road.

Discretionary Grants-in-Aid (DGIA)

The Cranbrook and District 4H Council Association will receive a total of $3,000 for its 4H Show and Sale ($1,000 from each of the Electoral Area A, B and C DGIA accounts). In addition, the association will receive $500 from each of the Electoral Area A, B and C DGIA accounts, $1,000 from the Electoral Area E DGIA account, and $250 from each of the Electoral Area F and G DGIA accounts for workshops on preparing livestock for show and proper show techniques.

Elkford Secondary School will receive $1,000 from the Electoral Area A DGIA account to go toward the purchase of a computer and electronic message monitors.

Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network will receive $1,000 for its Classrooms to Communities program.

Windermere Elementary School will receive $500 from the Electoral Area F DGIA account for its Community Carnival.

The Wings Over the Rockies Bird Festival Society will receive $500 from each of the Electoral Area C, E, F and G DGIA accounts for the Wings Over the Rockies 2.0 Festival in May.

The Columbia Lake Stewardship Society will receive $300 from the Electoral Area G DGIA account for its Columbia River Watershed Education Program.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

Wednesday, April 25 at 7 p.m. at the Hosmer Community Centre – Front St & 6 Ave, Hosmer.

Bylaw No. 2840 cited as “Regional District of East Kootenay – Elk Valley Zoning Bylaw No. 829, 1990 – Amendment Bylaw No. 88, 2018 (Hosmer / Luminary Holding Corp)” will amend the text of the Bylaw to permit a second single family dwelling attached to a proposed guest ranch lodge on Lot 1, District Lot 363, Kootenay District, Plan 4042.

Wednesday, April 25 at 7 p.m. at the 
Wasa Community Hall – 6145 Wasa School Road, Wasa.

Bylaw No. 2838 cited as “Regional District of East Kootenay – Electoral Area E Zoning & Floodplain Management Bylaw No. 2502, 2014 – Amendment Bylaw No. 17, 2018 (Ta Ta Creek / Boissonneault)” will amend the designation of Lot A, District Lot 12952, Kootenay District, Plan 5969 from RR-2, Rural Residential (Small Holding) Zone to RR-1, Rural Residential (Estate) Zone.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Lake Windermere Community Planning Workshop

Saturday, April 21 – 10 a.m. to noon at the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce – 651 Hwy 93/95.

The workshop will include a review of the survey and introductory meeting, an opportunity to comment on existing and proposed land use policies, and an interactive session for attendees to show us where you would like to see (or wouldn’t like to see) residential, commercial and industrial development, trails, parks, conservation and other land uses.

10-Year Service Award

Fire Chief Dave Boreen was recognized by the Board for his 10 years of service with the RDEK. Boreen is Chief of the Elk Valley and South Country Rural Fire and Rescue Service and was commended for his leadership and commitment to his departments. Thank you for your years of dedicated service Dave and congratulations on this milestone.

Next Board Meetings

Thursday, May 3 – Committee meetings – TBA

Friday, May 4 – RDEK Board Meeting – 9 a.m.

Lead image: Lake Windermere. Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

RDEK

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