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RDEK Board Highlights
The following is a breakdown as to what occurred during the Sept. 4 Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) board of directors’ meeting.
Board continues support of Community Energy Manager
The RDEK will participate in year three of the Community Energy Manager program and will contribute up to $15,000 subject to the following conditions: BC Hydro hiring the contractor; and, funding is for one year only subject to renewal for an additional year with agreement of the funding partners.
New OCP planning process for Jaffray area
The board has authorized the preparation of a new Official Community Plan (OCP) and an updated South Country Zoning Bylaw for the Jaffray, Tie Lake (pictured above) and Rosen Lake communities. The existing Land Use Bylaw for the area was adopted in 1999 and has not been comprehensively revisited since. Updating the land use policies and zoning regulations for the area is an opportunity for the communities to refresh their vision for future community development and address current issues such as interface fire hazards, shoreline development and the form and location of future subdivision. The communities of Galloway and Elko may also be included as part of the new OCP. A newsletter outlining the planning process and identifying opportunities on how to get involved will be mailed to area residents and landowners in early October.
Planning for Elko and Galloway
As part of the OCP process for the Jaffray area, the communities of Elko and Galloway will also be consulted to gauge their interest in being included in the new OCP and an updated South Country Zoning Bylaw. Planning and zoning allows communities to identify for themselves a common vision about future growth and development and provides the regulations necessary to achieve that vision along with more predictability and certainty regarding new development. Residents should watch their mailbox for a newsletter concerning the planning process and an announcement about an upcoming meeting in October to introduce the planning proposal.
Trucking contract awarded
Southeast Contracting Ltd. has been awarded the five-year trucking contract for the hauling of Central Subregion rural refuse.
Community works funding approved
The RDEK board has approved $10,000 in Community Works Funds for the construction of cattle fencing at Tie Lake, and $6,000 for concrete bases for picnic tables and benches at Cherry Creek Falls Regional Park.
Windermere Water System Intake tenure
The RDEK and CAO have signed the agreement with the Province of B.C. for a Tenure over Crown land for the Windermere Water System intake for the term ending August 1, 2045.
Directors appointed to CBT Advisory Committee
With the recent expiration of the three-year contribution agreement between the RDEK and Columbia Basin Trust for the Columbia Valley Community Directed Funds Program, CBT is transitioning to a new program model. CBT will continue to work with the former Committee in an advisory capacity, and the RDEK Board has now appointed Directors Gerry Wilkie (Electoral Area G), Gerry Taft (District of Invermere Mayor), Wendy Booth (Electoral Area F), Ute Juras (Village of Canal Flats Mayor) and Clara Reinhardt (Village of Radium Hot Springs Mayor) to CBT’s newly established Columbia Valley Advisory Committee.
Backyard agriculture in the Columbia Valley
The board directed staff to undertake public consultation in the Columbia Valley to gauge opinions regarding backyard agriculture. While the keeping of farm animals is already widely permitted in the Columbia Valley, it is not allowed on smaller residential parcels such as those found in the communities of Edgewater, Wilmer, Windermere and Fairmont. The issues surrounding the raising of chickens and bees and the subject of animal exclusion fencing are all up for discussion. Further information about backyard agriculture and how to engage in the conversation will be announced in the coming months.
Board remuneration to be reviewed
An independent committee will be assembled to review board remuneration rates and staff have been asked to prepare a comparison of board remuneration rates paid by other regional districts for consideration as part of the review.
Discretionary Grants-in-Aid (DGIA)
Fort Steele Heritage Town will receive $10,000 from the Electoral Area C DGIA account for an event tent.
The Kimberley Curling Club will receive $1,000 from the Electoral Area E DGIA account for lighting upgrades.
The Windermere Community Association will receive $6,000 from the Electoral Area F DGIA account to landscaping and fencing upgrades at the Windermere Community Hall.
Wildsight Golden will receive $3,500 from the Electoral Area G DGIA account for its Columbia Wetlands Waterbird Survey.
Public Hearings
Monday, September 28 —4 p.m. Jaffray Community Hall , 7375 Jaffray Village Loop Road, Jaffray: For Bylaw No. 2629—Regional District of East Kootenay – Jaffray, Tie Lake, Rosen Lake Land Use and Floodplain Management Bylaw No. 1414, 1999 – Amendment Bylaw No. 25, 2015 (Highway 3/93 / Lightburn)
Next board meetings
Thursday, October 1 – Committee Meetings TBA
Friday, October 2 – RDEK Board Meeting 9 a.m.
For more information, please visit our website: www.rdek.bc.ca or follow us on Facebook and let the news come to you: www.facebook.com/eastkootenay.
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