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Sparwood Council Facts
The following is a synopsis of what occurred during the Feb. 2 District of Sparwood council meeting.
DELEGATIONS
BC Assessment Authority
Sharlynn Hill, Deputy Assessor with BC Assessment Authority provided an overview on property assessments and the community’s 2021 assessment roll. Market trends for single-family residential property in Sparwood indicate an 11% increase from 2020.
BUSINESS
Energy Step Code
Council amended the Energy Step Code Policy to apply Step Code 3 of the BC Energy Step Code within the District of Sparwood as of September 1. The policy is designed to encourage energy efficiency in new building construction through incentives offered to builders who meet various steps through the BC Energy Step Code.
Street Banners
In 2020, the district received a grant for $20,000 from Columbia Basin Trust Public Art Grants program to purchase street banners. With the district’s required 20% contribution the total project budget amount was $25,000. Council approved an additional $1,961.40 to purchase Remembrance Day removable headers for the banners. The program can now be completed with the purchase of 20 banners which will be installed along Aspen Drive, Red Cedar Drive, and Ponderosa Drive.
2020 Annual Building Activity Report
2020 was a busy build season for the District of Sparwood. Although there was an eight per cent decrease in total permits (79 in 2019 vs 72 in 2020), there was an overall increase in new construction of multi-family dwellings, residential renovations, residential accessory, and new mobile home replacements. There was a significant increase in building costs throughout the area, and the country, seeing increases of four per cent from 2019 to the third quarter of 2020.
2021 Vacancy Report
The total average vacancy rate for Sparwood as of January 2021 is 3.4%, based on known vacancies. This is down from a record high of 19.2% in 2017, but slightly higher than the 2020 vacancy at 2.3%.
BYLAWS
Revenue Anticipation Borrowing Bylaw
Revenue Anticipation Borrowing Bylaw No. 1281, 2021 was adopted. This bylaw provides for an operating line of credit in 2021, if required. Although the District has not accessed the overdraft for many years, it is good practice to have one in place should transfers from investments be delayed.
UPCOMING DISTRICT COUNCIL MEETINGS
The following meetings will take place in Council Chambers (136 Spruce Avenue) at 6 p.m.
- Public Hearing (Cannabis Retail Store Licence) on Tuesday, February 16
- Regular Meeting on Tuesday, February 16
- Regular Meeting on Tuesday, March 2.
Lead image: The new Komatsu building in Sparwood. e-KNOW file photo
District of Sparwood
