The following is a synopsis of what occurred during the June 4 District of Sparwood council meeting.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

Zoning Bylaw and Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaws

A Public Hearing was held to hear community feedback regarding the proposed amendment bylaws to the Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw to allow for an increase in multi-family residential development at 1500 Sparwood Heights Drive (Westwood). There was no public feedback submitted. These amendments were later heard at the regular meeting of council and given a third reading. They will now be submitted to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure for approval prior to being presented to council for adoption.

Development Variance Permit for 100 Industrial Road #1

An Informal Public Hearing was held to hear community feedback regarding the development variance permit for 100 Industrial Road #1 (Spardell) to vary the requirements of the Mobile Home Park Bylaw No. 288, 1992 to remove the requirements for road, curb, gutter, and drainage, reduce front yard setback from 4.57m to 1.83m and reduce the rear yard setback from 4.57m to 2.44m to accommodate the potential addition of five mobile home spaces and the alteration of one existing mobile home space. There was no public feedback submitted.

The development variance permit was later approved by council.

BYLAWS

Zoning Amendment Bylaw (Local Government Act)

A Zoning Amendment Bylaw was given first three readings and adopted by council due to recent changes to the Local Government Act. Minimum requirements for single family zones throughout B.C. have been set. These new small-scale multifamily housing requirements establish minimum permitted uses and densities in zones that would typically be restricted to single family or duplexes only. As Sparwood has a population that is fewer than 5,000 people the minimum requirement for a single family zone is to permit either a secondary suite, accessory dwelling unit or both in addition to a single family home on a parcel. The District of Sparwood is required by this new provincial law to enact these minimum densities by the end of June 2024.

The district’s zoning bylaw already meets the minimum density and use requirements in all applicable zones except for the RR-1 zone which is the subject of this bylaw amendment. In addition to the changes for minimum densities, the province has altered the legislation as it pertains to public hearings. Among these changes municipalities are prohibited from holding public hearings on Zoning Bylaw or Official Community Plan amendments necessary to comply with the new requirements.

BUSINESS

Community Funding and Support Request

Council approved the following community funding and support request: Sparwood Minor Soccer Association; $1,539.08 to support field rental fees from School District No. 5 for their season rentals of the Sparwood Secondary and Mountain View School sports fields. There is now $2,317.82 of funding remaining for 2024 requests.

Development Variance Permit for 1341 Cherrywood Boulevard

Council has authorized staff to issue notice to affected properties of its intent to consider a development variance permit to increase the maximum a deck can project into a rear yard from 1.22m to 3.51m to construct a new deck. An informal public hearing will be held on June 18, prior to consideration.

Temporary Use Permit for Whiskey Jack Resort

Council has authorized staff to issue notice to affected properties of its intent to consider a temporary use permit to allow gravel crushing at Whiskey Jack Resort for a period of three years. An informal public hearing will be held on July 2, prior to consideration.

Recreation Facility Advisory Committee

Council has approved the Terms of Reference for the Recreation Facility Advisory Committee. This will guide the committee and ensure they are meeting the mandate set by council. Staff will begin the recruitment process for this committee.

e-KNOW file photo

District of Sparwood

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