The following is a synopsis of what occurred during the June 18 District of Sparwood council meeting.

DELEGATIONS

Greenbelt Encroachments

Council heard from three delegations in relation to encroachments onto municipal greenbelts by adjacent property owners.

Whitewood Crescent residents

Amber Jardine and Jennifer Lyall recounted the steps which led up to their encroachment and expressed their desire to purchase the portion of the municipal greenbelt (adjacent to their properties) which they have encroached upon. They requested that Council waive any administrative fees related to the purchase.

Margaret Whittaker

Margaret Whittaker expressed her concerns regarding a neighbour’s encroachment onto her property and the greenbelt adjacent to his property at 1276 Ponderosa Drive and read out the letters she had submitted to Council. Mrs. Whittaker requested that council require the property owner (Mr. Marcinowski) to return the encroached upon lands back to their original state.

Nathan and Heidi Love

Nathan and Heidi Love expressed their concerns in relation to their neighbour’s encroachment (at 1276 Ponderosa Drive) onto the greenbelt. They stated that they were opposed to the sale of the public lands and read out the letter they had submitted to council. The Loves requested that council extend to them the same opportunity to purchase a portion of the greenbelt if the sale to Mr. Marcinowski were authorized.

BUSINESS

2017 Annual Municipal Report

Council approved the 2017 Annual Municipal Report. The report includes messages from the Mayor and CAO; an overview of the 2017 operations and services provided; progress on objectives outlined in the Strategic Plan; what the district has targeted for 2018 and 2019; measurables; and the audited financial statements.

Arena Chiller

Council awarded the contract for the Arena Chiller replacement to Startec Construction Ltd. for $139,750. Installation of the chiller is scheduled to be completed by September 1 and the arena should be open for use by September 10.

Development Variance Permit – 1251 Pinyon Road

Council authorized that notices be sent to the owners and occupants residing within 60m of 1251 Pinyon Road to advise them that council will be considering varying a section of the Zoning Bylaw at the July 16, 2018 regular meeting. If approved, the variance will reduce the rear yard setback from 7.62m to 3.96m to allow them to construct a deck and gazebo.

If you live within the 60m radius and believe you will be affected by this variance, please share comments with council. You will be provided an opportunity to be heard at the July 16 council meeting, or you may submit your comments in writing to the District of Sparwood, Box 520, Sparwood, BC V0B 2G0 or by email to [email protected] before 4 p.m. on Monday, July 16.

Salt/Sand Shed Storage Structure

Council approved the purchase of a salt/sand storage structure from Spanmaster Structures Ltd for $162,900. It will be used to store the winter sanding material in the Public Works Yard to minimize the material from freezing in the winter and mitigate against employee injuries and vehicle breakdowns.

Drainage Improvements Tender

Council approved the award of the Sparwood Drainage Improvements Tender to Projex Infrastructure Ltd. for $233,822. This project includes the installation of a new storm main within the Public Works Yard (to protect the environment against run-off and provide drainage for the salt/sand shed) and to replace a section of storm main within the Cherrywood Subdivision (to ensure proper drainage from the subdivision and prevent the system from freezing in the winter).

TAX DEADLINE REMINDER

Reminder that the deadline for paying your 2018 property taxes without penalty is Wednesday, July 4.

If you live in your home as your principal residence, but cannot pay your tax bill, you should still claim your Homeowners Grant as the penalty applies to all taxes, including the grant portion outstanding after the due day of July 4.

For your convenience, payment can be made through your bank (online or telephone banking) or at the District office (after hours drop box available for cheques).

Home Owner Grant applications must still be mailed, dropped off at the office or claimed through our on-line services before the due date.

If you are out of town and believe that there is not enough time to send your cheque by mail, please contact the office before the due date to make alternate arrangements to ensure your payment is received on time. Couriers are not always the best option for timely delivery, but if you must use one, consider postdating your cheque and sending it early before the due date.

The District Office must receive the funds by the due date, post-marks dated July 5 or later are not considered late payments.

Canada Day Garbage Pickup

There will be NO garbage pick-up on Monday, July 2. Garbage that is normally picked up on Monday will be picked up on Tuesday, July 3.

Reminder to residents that garbage must be kept in a secure location (garage, shed or inside the house) and placed out for pick-up after 5 a.m. on collection day.

Survey on the Recreational Use and Sale of Cannabis

The District of Sparwood is seeking resident’s input into the recreational use and sale of cannabis in Sparwood. The information you provide will help Council determine the extent to which the District will regulate the location of retail stores (including setting distance requirements between cannabis retail stores and schools, day cares and other land uses); personal cultivation; commercial production; consumption on municipal property and public places; and whether to impose security requirements and additional restrictions on the hours of operation.

Sprinkling Regulations

A reminder that the District of Sparwood sprinkling regulations are in effect from June 1 through September 30 each year to promote water conservation.

Even numbered addresses can water on even calendar days, and odd numbered addresses can water on odd calendar days. Homes with automatic irrigation systems can water daily, provided it is between 12 and 6 a.m.

Exceptions to sprinkling restrictions include nurseries, golf courses, farms, turf and tree farms, municipal parks, playing fields, and other municipal properties.

There will be special permission for those residents who have installed a new lawn (either seed or sod) for a period of 21 days after installation of the lawn.

Fawning Season

Fawning season prompts “aggressive” deer warning by the District’s Bylaw Enforcement Officer who reported seeing a mule deer doe stalk across Pine Avenue by the Leisure Centre intently watching a resident walking her dogs.

Residents should watch deer body language and posture. A full milk bag can indicate she probably has one or more fawns nearby. It is important to remember that deer are wild animals and that you should never approach them, especially those with young, as they may attack. Laying their ears back and lowering their head can be signs of an impending attack.

If you come across fawns while out walking or biking do not touch them, back away from the area and leave them be. Give the deer, and all wildlife, their space.

Residents should ensure their dogs are always leashed when out walking and be very conscientious of your surroundings.

UPCOMING DISTRICT MEETINGS

• Committee of the Whole Meeting in Council Chambers on Monday, June 25 has been postponed to Monday, July 30 at 7 p.m.
• Regular Meeting in Council Chambers on Monday, July 16 at 7 p.m.

District of Sparwood

---

Article Share

---