Sparwood Council Facts

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Posted: August 19, 2016

The following is a synopsis of what occurred during the August 15 District of Sparwood council meeting.

HEARINGS

DEVELOPMENT VARIANCE PERMITS

Elk Valley Mobile Home Park (DVP 2016-003)

Council approved Mobile Home Park Permit 2016- 001 and Development Variance Permit 2016-003 for Elk Valley Mobile Home Park (EVMHP) located at 7555 Highway 43. The Mobile Home Park Permit approves the layout of the mobile home spaces in EVMHP in its current state. The Development Variance Permit varies sections of the Mobile Home Park Bylaw which legalized the mobile home park in its current state to allow residents to apply for building permits to replace existing homes, construct new additions, decks, or accessory buildings.

Before the permits can be issued the following conditions must be met: Providing confirmation from Interior Health that there are no concerns with the water and wastewater disposal systems; Providing a letter from a professional plumber certifying that the water distribution system supplies water at a minimum of 40 psi of pressure; Replacement of the mobile home on site E12 with a new home by November 1 or find alternative accommodation for the tenant within another home in the park; Provide a plan for the development of a recreational use area within the park; Provide security in the amount of $5,000 to ensure the recreation area is properly developed; Replace the light pole that was previously removed; and existing homes may only be replaced with new homes built in 1992 or newer.

448 White Birch Crescent (DVP 2016-004)

Council approved Development Variance Permit 2016-004 for 448 White Birch Crescent to vary sections of the Zoning Bylaw to reduce the minimum side yard to 0.91m and increase the maximum site coverage for accessory buildings and structure to 11.2% to enable the property owner to build an addition for a workshop on the back of the existing garage.

102 2nd Avenue & 101 4th Avenue (DVP 2016-005) Lilac Terrace / Seniors’ Drop In Centre

Council approved Development Variance Permit 2016-005 for 102 2nd Avenue and 101 4th Avenue to vary sections of the Zoning Bylaw to reduce the minimum side yard requirements to 0m to enable the applicant, Elk Valley Seniors Housing Society, to construct a breezeway connecting Lilac Terrace with the Seniors’ Drop In Centre.

Utility & Solid Waste Management Bylaw Amendment

Council rescinded third reading of the Utility & Solid Waste Management Bylaw Amendment and referred the bylaw to the next Committee of the Whole meeting for further discussion. This decision will allow staff to investigate into options for the replacement of the district’s existing garbage truck with an automated waste collection system (Corporate Strategic Plan Action Item 4.3.6) at the same time while consulting with the public during the process.

This amendment proposes to: institute a requirement for garbage cans with tight fitting lids in all residential zones; eliminate use of plastic bags; and require animal resistant enclosures or certified bear proof commercial containers in campgrounds, C-2 Highway Commercial Zone and C-3 Neighbourhood Commercial Zone.

BUSINESS

SPARWOOD COMMUNITY ENDOWMENT FUND

On May 2, the Cranbrook & District Community Foundation (CDCF) made a presentation to council on establishing a Sparwood Community Endowment Fund. In partnership with local community members, the CDCF would like to launch a permanent endowment fund to benefit the Sparwood community. Council approved a contribution of $25,000 towards the establishment of a Sparwood Community Endowment Fund, subject to receipt of $75,000 from the Columbia Basin Trust and an anonymous donor. The Sparwood Community Fund would be governed by local community members and form its own granting committee.

RECREATION LAND USE PERMIT

Council authorized entering into a Recreation Land Use Permit with 1005231 BC Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Jemi Fibre Corp., for the use of a portion of land within the district’s boundaries that currently house the Coal Discovery Trail and part of the TransCanada Trail. The trail system between Sparwood and Fernie will be usable by a variety of non-motorized users, including hikers, mountain bikers, cross-country skiers and horseback riders.

EXPANSION OF SPARDELL MOBILE HOME PARK

Council defeated their motion to issue Development Variance Permit (DVP) 2015-001, which consideration of had been deferred from the July 18 regular meeting. Council had received a letter from the owner of Spardell Mobile Home Park advising that the requirements of the DVP had been met and was asking that the DVP be issued so that he could proceed with the expansion of the park. Following a review by district staff, it was determined that the requirements of the DVP have not been satisfied at this time and council directed staff to continue to work with the owner of Spardell Mobile Home Park to meet the conditions as set forth in the DVP.

To learn more about this Development Variance Permit application please see the staff report or contact the Planning Department at 250-425-6271.

ACCESS GUARDIAN PROGRAM

Council approved a request from the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) to carry over the District of Sparwood’s contribution allocated for the 2016 Access Guardian Program to 2021. The District of Sparwood has committed to contributing $10,000 to the program for the years 2016-2020. Due to staff vacancies in the BC Conservation Officer Service they are unable to perform the duties of the Access Guardian Program in 2016.

The program provides a Conservation Officer as the Access Guardian from May 15 to November 15 in the Southern Rocky Mountain Management Plan to perform the following duties: educate people on backcountry access issues; provide public relations while monitoring backcountry traffic; enforce backcountry access laws and regulations; and deal with any other infractions that may be encountered while on patrol.

BYLAWS

RECREATION FEES & CHARGES BYLAW AMENDMENT

Recreation Fees and Charges Bylaw 1121, 2013, Amendment Bylaw 1192, 2016 was given three readings. This amendment proposes to incorporate fees and conditions for the rental of the training room at Fire Hall #1.

YOUTH ADVISORY COMMISSION BYLAW

Youth Advisory Commission Bylaw 1191, 2016 was given first and second reading. This proposed bylaw is required in order to create a Youth Advisory Commission which would provide the required oversight for the development of a youth network in Sparwood. Council wishes to have a more in-depth conversation about the makeup of the Commission before giving the bylaw further consideration.

IN OTHER NEWS

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

The District of Sparwood is pleased to announce that Tyler Madsen has been appointed as the new Director of Operations beginning September 6. Mr. Madsen and his family will be moving here from Courtenay on Vancouver Island.

GARBAGE PICKUP

Due to the statutory holiday, Labour Day on Monday, September 5, garbage pickup scheduled for that day will be picked up on Tuesday, September 6 instead.

BACK TO SCHOOL

Tuesday, September 6, 9 – 11 a.m. Children are heading back to school on Tuesday, September 6. Drivers are reminded to slow down and watch for children and school busses. Motorists travelling in both directions must stop when approaching a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing.

FALL COMMUNITY INFORMATION AND REGISTRTION NIGHT

Thursday, September 8 – 5 – 7:30 p.m. Sparwood Curling Rink

Come and find out what’s happening in our community. See programs of interest for people of all ages and stages. Community groups and organizations are invited to participate in this opportunity to promote their organization, register for programs, and show what they have to offer. It’s free | It’s one night | Everyone’s invited.

ELK RIVER CROSSING EROSION MITIGATION PROJECT

Recreation users are asked to please avoid the Elk River area north of CP Rail Bridge (upstream of the Highway 43 bridge) and beside Teck’s Elkview Mine operations for the next five to seven weeks while FortisBC completes mitigation work. The news release issued by FortisBC, indicates that they will be adding ground cover over a gas line that crosses the Elk River in Sparwood.