Sparwood Council Facts

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Posted: December 10, 2021

The following is a synopsis of what occurred during the Dec. 7 District of Sparwood council meeting.

DELEGATIONS

Teck Resources

Rory O’Connor and Robert Rowe representing Teck Resources presented an update on the Sparwood Central Staff Facilities. The provisional schedule includes breaking ground in early 2023 and project completion in 2024. The new Sparwood Central Office will be located in Middletown Crossing.

BYLAWS

Bylaw No. 1291

Bylaw No. 1291 was given first and second readings. This bylaw contains amendments to the Zoning and Mobile Home Parks Bylaws which will allow for homes built to the CSA A277 Standard to be located in Mobile Home Parks within the district where currently only homes built to the CSA Z240 Standard are permitted. The bylaw is intended to be brought forward to the January 18, 2022 regular meeting for council’s consideration.

MTI Bylaw

Municipal Ticket Information (MTI) Bylaw No. 1290, 2021 was adopted. A revision to the existing bylaw is required to provide for enforcement of offences that may occur under the new Animal Control Bylaw.

BUSINESS

Campground Lease Agreement

Council approved a lease renewal agreement with Sparwood Futures Society for the Sparwood Campground for 10 years. In the agreement, rent commences at $3,000 in 2022 and increases by $100/year.

Minor Hockey

Council approved an allocation of $1,414 from the Community Funding & Support Program to Elk Valley Minor Hockey Association in support of Joe Carolla Day festivities.

Access Management Compliance and Enforcement Program

Council approved the funding support for the Access Management Compliance and Enforcement Program (AMCEP) for the period of 2022 to 2026. The AMCP has been operating since 2011 and is offered in partnership with the BC Conservation Officer Service. The focus is on backcountry education, public relations, and enforcement.

Housing Needs Report

Council accepted the Housing Needs Report 2021 for information. All municipalities and regional districts are required to complete a Housing Needs Report by April 2022 and every five years thereafter. Key findings from the report include:

Between 2016 and 2021 more units were built in Sparwood than the data suggests; however, the price point and tenure (rental) of the units developed did not meet all needs.
By 2026 approximately 119 households in Sparwood will be in Core Need of Housing (spending more than 30% of gross income on housing) with most of these households being renter households.
Rental vacancy rates are currently low though they are highly variable with an average vacancy rate between 2005 and 2021 of 9.8%.

Read the Housing Needs Report.

UPCOMING DISTRICT COUNCIL MEETINGS

The following meetings will take place in Council Chambers (136 Spruce Avenue) at 6 p.m.