Sparwood Council Facts

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Posted: July 21, 2016

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

HEARINGS

SPARWOOD PUBLIC BOAT LAUNCH

Matt Huryn and Dennis Reghenas from the Sparwood & District Fish and Wildlife Association addressed council regarding concerns the association has with a public boat launch.

Norma McDougall from the Sparwood & District Chamber of Commerce addressed Council regarding the Chamber’s support for a public boat launch.

Council deferred consideration of a public boat launch until they have had an opportunity to meet with the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations.

ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT

Following the Public Hearing to receive input from the public, Zoning Bylaw No. 264, 1981, Amendment Bylaw 1189, 2016 was given third reading and referred to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure for approval. The District of Sparwood has initiated this bylaw amendment to make changes to the R3-High Density Residential zone. The proposed changes will allow for the construction of one-family dwelling units and two-family dwelling units in addition to the multi-family dwelling units already permitted.

DELEGATION

ELK RIVER ALLIANCE

Lee-Anne Walker, Executive Director of the Elk River Alliance (ERA) presented the Elk River Flood Strategy to Council. Over the past three years the ERA has coordinated and managed a team of experts who reviewed academic literature and examined the Elk River hydrology to model scenarios of climate change and land use impacts in the future. Data and analysis was integrated to produce a “made-in-the-Elk Valley” approach to flood management.

DEVELOPMENT VARIANCE PERMITS

Elk Valley Mobile Home Park (DVP 2016-003)

Council authorized notices to be sent out to owners and occupants residing within 60 m of the Elk Valley Mobile Home Park to advise them that they will be considering varying sections of the Mobile Home Park Bylaw at the August 15 regular meeting. The variances, if approved, will legalize the mobile home park in its current state and allow residents to apply for building permits to replace existing homes, construct new additions, decks, or accessory buildings on the pad/lot.

448 White Birch Crescent (DVP 2016-004)

Council authorized notices to be sent out to owners and occupants residing within 60 m of 448 White Birch Crescent to advise them that they will be considering varying sections of the Zoning Bylaw at the August 15 regular meeting. The variance, if approved, will reduce the minimum accessory building side yard requirement and increase the site coverage for accessory buildings for the purposes of constructing an addition on the back of the existing garage.

102 2nd Avenue & 101 4th Avenue (DVP 2016-005)

Council authorized notices to be sent out to owners and occupants residing within 60 m of 102 Second Avenue and 101 Fourth Avenue to advise them that they will be considering varying sections of the Zoning Bylaw at the August 15 regular meeting. The variance, if approved, will reduce the minimum accessory building side yard requirements on the western side of 102 Second Avenue (Lilac Terrace) and the eastern side of 101 Fourth Avenue (Seniors’ Drop-In Centre) for the purposes of constructing a breezeway to connect the two facilities.

Please note

If you believe you will be affected by any of these variances and wish to share comments with council prior to their consideration, you will be provided an opportunity to be heard at the August 15 council meeting or you may submit your comments in writing to the District of Sparwood on or before Monday, August 15.

UNSIGHTLY PREMISES

Council authorized the district to enter onto two properties located at 1203 Valley View Drive and 482 Engelmann Spruce Drive, after giving reasonable notice to the owners, to clean up discarded debris, construction waste, long grasses and weeds at the expense of the owners of the subject properties.

ROUNDTABLE ON THE CROWN OF THE CONTINENT CONFERENCE

Council authorized the Mayor, or alternate, to attend the Roundtable on the Crown of the Continent Annual Conference being held in Fernie on October 13 and 14. Council also approved a collaborator sponsorship in the amount of $100 to the conference.

BYLAWS

UTILITY & SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT BYLAW 1014, AMENDMENT BYLAW 1190, 2016

Utility and Solid Waste Management Bylaw 1014, 2009, Amendment Bylaw 1190, 2016 was given three readings. This amendment proposes to institute a requirement for garbage cans with tight fitting lids in all residential zones and eliminate use of plastic bags. Also included in the amendment is the requirement for animal resistant enclosures in campgrounds, C-2 Highway Commercial Zone and

C-3 Neighbourhood Commercial Zone and permit the alternative option for certified bear proof commercial containers. The public will be given an opportunity to comment on the bylaw at the August 15 regular meeting before council considers adoption. A copy of the notice, bylaw amendment and staff report can be viewed at the District Office during regular work hours or online at www.sparwood.ca.

IN OTHER NEWS

GARBAGE PICKUP

Due to the statutory holiday, BC Day on Monday, August 1, garbage pickup scheduled for that day will be picked up on Tuesday, August 2 instead.

SPRINKLING REGULATIONS

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 am. Exceptions to sprinkling restrictions include nurseries, golf courses, farms, turf and tree farms, municipal parks, playing fields, and other municipal properties. Special permission is given for those residents who have installed a new lawn (either seed or sod) for a period of 21 days after installation of the lawn.

Help us keep our streets attractive

In order to keep our streets attractive and safe, the district would like to remind all residents to please store your garbage in animal proof containers and place your garbage out between 5 and 8 a.m. on the morning of pick up. Residential waste collection is limited to two waste containers (not exceeding 140L in total) per household. Additional tags can be purchased at the District Office for $1.50 per tag, or you can drop it off at the Transfer Station (1001 Highway 3) at no charge Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Sundays & Statutory Holidays).

Commercial waste containers are required to be kept closed at all times and secured to prevent wildlife from accessing contents in the container. Your help and compliance is appreciated! Keeping your property free of attractants (garbage and bird feeders) will cause bears and other wildlife to move on, resulting in a safer community and avoiding the unnecessary destruction of bears. For more information on Sparwood’s waste regulations please visit www.sparwood.ca or contact the Bylaw Enforcement Officer at 250.425.6820 or [email protected].

BADGER, BADGER, BADGERS EVERYWHERE

There have been four badgers seen near the Animal Pound on Engelmann Spruce Drive in addition to the previously reported one in the disc golf park in the Heights. You can report badger sightings to badgers.bc.ca