Sparwood Council Facts

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Posted: June 26, 2019

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

HEARINGS

OCP & Zoning Bylaw Amendments (441 Pine Avenue)

Council gave Official Community Plan (OCP) Bylaw No. 1165, 2015, Amendment Bylaw 1239, 2019 second and third readings and Zoning Bylaw No. 264, 1981, Amendment Bylaw 1240, 2019 third reading and referral to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure for approval, following the public hearing.

Two people spoke in favour of the proposed amendments at the hearing, which if adopted would allow for the development of the dog park to proceed in that location. Although the five people who did not support the proposed changes, indicated that they were not opposed to a dog park being developed elsewhere within the community. Council also received four written submissions from residents who did not support the proposed location.

75th Birthday Book Club

Congratulations to Roger Hockridge, Diane Seize and Walter Yaremchuk who joined the 75th Birthday Book Club and received a lilac lapel pin. Also joining the club this year, but unable to attend, were Ronald Beaton and Gary Holland. The district honours those seniors who have or will reach the age of 75 years in a given year by inviting them to a council meeting to sign a “Senior’s Birthday Book” that is kept in the Municipal Office as part of Sparwood’s heritage records.

BC Community Achievement Award

Katrin Taylor, Dawn Wyld and members of the Elk Valley Thrift Shop volunteer team received recognition from council, which praised their hard work and assistance to local programs and charities in Sparwood. Mrs. Taylor was among 24 British Columbians honoured at the BC Achievement Community Award presentations in Victoria on May 1. The awards are presented to British Columbians who go above and beyond in their dedication and service to making their communities more caring, dynamic, beautiful, healthy, and unique.

BYLAWS

Administrative Fees and Charges Bylaw

Council adopted Administrative Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1255, 2019. The charges established under the previous bylaw for comfort letters and encroachment agreements has been removed.

BUSINESS

Development Variance Permit (DVP) 2019-007

(155 Pine Ave) Reduced side-yard setback from 1.52m to 0.6m. Council approved issuance of DVP 2019-007 and granted the variance to the Zoning Bylaw to decrease the minimum side yard for an accessory building from 1.52m to 0.6m on the north-east side of the property (155 Pine Ave) to allow for construction of a garage.

Temporary Use Permit (TUP) 2018-001

Temporary Worker Camp at 8000 Highway 43 Council denied issuance of TUP 2018-001 to allow a temporary worker camp at 8000 Highway 43.

Development Variance Permit (DVP) 2019-003

7555 Hwy 43 (Elk Valley Mobile Home Park). Council authorized that notices be distributed to the owners and occupants residing within 60m of 7555 Hwy 43 to advise them that an informal hearing will be held on July 16 at 6 p.m. in council chambers to provide them with an opportunity to be heard before council considers granting any variances to the Mobile Home Parks Bylaw (including, but not limited to space widths, setbacks, utility and road standards) to address existing and proposed mobile home spaces. Consideration of issuance of the DVP and granting the variances will follow at the next regular meeting on August 20. If you are unable to attend, your comments can be submitted in writing to the District Office before noon on Tuesday, July 16.

Whiskey Jack Resort

Council authorized a letter of support be provided to WJ Lots in their efforts to obtain a permit for rock crushing from the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources to assist in moving the Whiskey Jack project forward.

Sparwood Market

Council denied the request from the Sparwood Market to close a portion of Aspen Drive for food trucks on market days as Sparwood Traffic, Parking and Highways Regulation Bylaw No. 472, 1987 currently prohibits the sale of flowers, fruit, vegetables, seafoods, or other commodities on a municipal highway. Staff was directed to prepare an amendment to the bylaw that would permit the sale of such goods on a municipal highway to be brought forward for council’s consideration at the July 16 regular meeting.

Arena Floor Covering (in-kind donation)

Council endorsed a recommendation brought forward from the Public Relations Committee to provide the portable arena floor covering to the City of Fernie at an in-kind cost of $700 per day for the 14th Biennial National Western Region Mine Rescue Competition being held in Fernie September 5-7.

2018 Statement of Financial Information (SOFI)

Council approved the 2018 SOFI report which includes: a list of council remuneration and expenses paid; a list of remuneration paid to employees in excess of $75,000; the total remuneration to all employees; a list of suppliers paid in excess of $25,000; and list of grants disbursed in excess of $25,000 in 2018.

Community Cleanup Summary

Council directed staff to explore options to expand the 2020 Community Cleanup event which may include an eco-fair market to showcase environmentally friendly and zero waste products and workshops to educate community members on reducing waste.

Audit Services

Council awarded the contract for external audit services for 2019-2023 to Adams Wooley Chartered Professional Accountants of Cranbrook for a total cost of $155,000.

Elk Valley Seniors Housing Society

Council appointed Councillors Brad Bowen and Amy Cardozo as their representatives to the Elk Valley Seniors Housing Society Board with Councillor Jason Christensen named as alternate. Council also authorized Mayor David Wilks to provide a letter of support to Elk Valley Seniors Housing Society to include in their $25,000 grant application to the New Horizon’s program so that they could install security cameras in Lilac Terrace.

UPCOMING DISTRICT MEETINGS