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Public hearings set for Marysville re-zoning
Kimberley City Council Report
By Nowell Berg
On May 29, City of Kimberley council held its regular bi-monthly meeting.
Councillors Sue Cairns, Kevin Dunnebacke, Sandra Roberts and Steven Royer were present along with Mayor Don McCormick.
Coun. Woody Maguire and Coun. Jason McBain attended by video call.
An archive of the meeting can be found on the City of Kimberley YouTube channel. Watch it here.
RCMP Report (Q4) – Body worn cameras on the way
Kimberley RCMP Detachment commander Sgt. Steve Woodcox presented council with a report on detachment activities from January to March 2023.
“Calls were up 13% compared to last year with, for the most part, half the staff members,” Woodcox said. He added that two new members were on the way, which has the detachment “almost up to full capacity, so that’s positive.”
Referring to the recent “dramatic increase in property crime,” which he noted was due to two or three offenders “who were coming here on a nightly visit to do crime.” These offenders, he said, were “drug addicts” that “do not fear prosecution.”
With these offenders “now in custody,” property crime has “dropped 40%.”
Woodcox reiterated to council and the public that fraud and online scams continue. “It’s a daily occurrence. I can’t say enough, if you do not know the individuals, if you’ve never met them, never seen the property, do not send people money that you do not know.”
Woodcox ended his presentation saying the RCMP is “rolling out the body worn cameras.”
Testing of the camera’s will be undertaken before implementation province wide. “Cranbrook and Kimberley will be part of that. I’m very much in favour of those body-worn cameras. It shows exactly what the police are dealing with. Nothing to hide everything’s out in the open.”
Public hearings set for Marysville re-zoning
Since passing first reading on an OCP land use request for two properties in the Marysville Industrial area where the proponent wants to build a highway commercial centre that includes a gas station, convenience store and fast-food restaurant, the city and council have received numerous letters, petitions, Kimberley Chamber of Commerce survey and verbal feedback regarding these changes.
A staff report to council indicates, “the vast majority expressed opposition to the proposed OCP and zoning amendments, with less than five letters (out of 75) expressing support.”
The report points out “there is a pattern amongst correspondence noting that the proposal is antithetical to the ethos and unique culture of Kimberley.”
As part of the correspondence received by the city, Interior Health (IH) suggests maintaining the current industrial zoning. IH raised concerns over “the potential environmental impact of gas station and car wash contaminants reaching a vulnerable aquifer, and the implications of allowing unhealthy foods and substances within close proximity to where children and youth are located.”
Councils were also told by Troy Pollock, Manager Planning, that the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) has indicated that its requirements, which have not been finalized, would need to be completed before any development and building took place on the properties.
Pollock told council that with “significant public interest” in the issue, he proposed two public hearings take place. The first would be an in-person hearing on June 27 at McKim School Theatre, and the second June 28, an electronic telephone only hearing.
Mayor McCormick opened discussion on the matter. All councillors weighed in on the issue with comments, concerns and questions. A reflection of what the community is saying and thinking.
At the vote – Councillors McBain, Maguire and Cairns voted against moving to a public hearing, Couns. Roberts, Royer, Dunnabacke and Mayor McCormick vote in favour.
Learn more about OCP Bylaw 2732 and Zoning Bylaw 2733 – 1006 304th Street and 361 315th Avenue.
Energy Step Code Reversal
At the last council meeting (May 15), councillors approved changes to the local building code that would move to Energy Step Code 4 effective January 2024. This precedes the provincial requirement to make that change in 2027.
“The Energy Step Code regulates the energy consumption and efficiency of buildings by providing standards for air tightness, the quality of the building envelope, and mechanical systems for heating, cooling, and ventilation.”
Coun. Dunnebacke brought a notice of motion to reconsider the adoption of the bylaw changes. The move toward Step Code 4 has brought “undue stress and pressure” on builders to make the jump early. He said, “To be five years ahead of everybody else doesn’t really make sense to me. Lots of time for everybody to learn and get up to speed and get to that level.”
City Manager of Planning Pollock pointed out that since the implementation of Step Code 3 in January 2020, the 82 homes built have “achieved a Step 3 or 4 requirement.” He suggested that moving to Step 4 for local builders would not be a significant shift.
Pollock urged council, “show leadership on climate action in our community.” He concluded, “We stand by our original recommendation.”
After a lively discussion about the ability of local builders to make the jump to Step Code 4 and unintended consequences, Mayor McCormick called for a vote.
Dunnebacke’s motion to reconsider the original bylaw was passed, and a subsequent motion to reverse the previous adopted changes also passed. City staff will revisit the move from Step 3 to Step 4 Bylaw changes.
Kimberley City Council meets twice monthly starting at 7 p.m. The next regular council meeting: June 12.
Lead image: Map showing the location of the properties featured in OCP Bylaw 2732 and Zoning Bylaw 2733 – 1006 304th Street and 361 315th Avenue. City of Kimberley council agenda package
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