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SunMine in the black; Kimberley Crossing hearing
Kimberley City Council Report
By Nowell Berg
On February 14, City of Kimberley council held its bi-monthly meeting.
Councillors Kent Goodwin, Albert Hoglund, Bev Middlebrook and Darryl Oakley were present, along with Mayor Don McCormick. Councillor Nigel Kitto was absent from the meeting.
SunMine performance in the black
Last year saw more accolades bestowed on SunMine and the City of Kimberley. In his 2016 SunMine report, Kimberley Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Scott Sommerville said there were “almost 2,000 media articles” on SunMine along with 1,100 visitors taking city tours of the facilities.
SunMine produced 1681 MWh of electricity, which was just over 87% of expected power generation. Revenue generated by SunMine was just over $179,000, which was over 88% of projected revenue.
According to Mayor McCormick, lower power generation was primarily due to fewer sunlight hours during summer along with smoke form forest fires. July, August and September 2016 generated significantly lower electricity levels compared to anticipated power output.
All in all, SunMine was in the black. The city did not have to contribute any money for its operation.
Kimberley Crossing public hearing
Proponents of the Kimberley Crossing Campus of Care facility in Marysville made their case in a public hearing before council.
The development proposal would see the “existing lands consolidated and sub-divided into three lots.” On Lot A, the facility would house “61 short and long term care rooms and three rooms for respite care.” Amenities include a library, computer and hobby room, hairdresser and movie theatre. The roof of the building would have a greenhouse, tea gazebo and solar panels.
Lot B would be used for 18 duplex units that would be stratified and sold. Owners would have the option of placing “the units into a rental pool.”
A four storey, 50 unit independent and assisted living building would be located on Lot C. These units would be a mix of studio, one bedroom and two bedroom suites.
The proponents also presented economic spin-off data that uses a factor of four times for wages and goods and services, and three times for construction costs.
“The total estimated net spin-off from the first year of operation is $102 million,” which includes $72.75 million from construction activities. After the first year, it’s estimated the economic spin-off would be over $28 million per year.
Once completed, the facilities would employ 77 people with high paying and skilled jobs.
Past opponents to Kimberley Crossing have cited concerns around increased traffic and access from 302 Avenue onto Highway 95A.
The proponents hired a company to conduct a traffic study at the 302nd Ave intersection which concluded “the traffic volume anticipated from the proposed use would be less than the impact from the existing approved use.” Additionally, the study found “the 302nd Avenue intersection is not prone to accident.”
The Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure (MOTI) “agreed” with the traffic studies conclusions. MOTI did “request a design concept for the rerouting of the Kimberley Golf Club access road.” The current golf club access merges with 302nd Avenue right at Highway 95A. The MOTI requested this be changed in order to reduce traffic conflict with vehicles entering and exiting 302nd Avenue.
No one spoke against the project at the public hearing.
Council will make a final decision on zoning amendments in the next few months.
Applications for President and Vice-President 2018 55+ BC Games
The Kimberley / Cranbrook 2018 55+ BC Games Nomination Committee is looking for qualified people to serve as President and Vice-President (VP) for the Games. If you are interested in helping the community and think you’d make a good candidate pick-up an application form at Kimberley or Cranbrook city halls. Applications for these volunteer positions should be submitted within the next two weeks. The work of the President and VP would start immediately and run until June 2019.
Kimberley city council meets twice monthly. All meetings start at 7 p.m. and are open to the public. Check the city’s website here for the meeting agenda. Click on the 2017 folder and follow the link.
The next council meeting is Monday, 27 February.
It’s your city; get involved.
