Development Variance Permit Lilac Terrace

District of Sparwood council June 16 approved a Development Variance Permit application to vary sections of the Zoning Bylaw at 102-2 Avenue (Lilac Terrace) to allow for construction of a three-storey high density residential addition. The variance will reduce the side yard setback requirement to 5’2” from 16 ft; the minimum floor area for a bachelor suite reduced from 450 ft2 to 410 ft2; the minimum floor area for a one bedroom suite reduced from 600 ft2 to 590 ft2; and the minimum floor area for a two bedroom suite reduced from 800 ft2 to 790 ft2.

RDEK Draft Official Community Plan

Mr. Matt Gunn representing the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) made a presentation to council on a draft Elk Valley Official Community Plan (OCP).

The plan covers the northern two-thirds of Electoral Area A excluding municipalities, Fernie Alpine Resort, and Island Lake property. The new Elk Valley OCP will replace the existing Elk Valley Land Use Strategy and the Fernie Area Land Use Strategy. For more information on the new OCP contact Matt Gunn at [email protected].

Highway 3 and 43 Intersection

Copcan Contracting Ltd. of Nanaimo, BC was awarded the contract for the Highway 3 and Highway 43 Earthworks and Underground Project for $2,387,000. The project includes earthworks in preparation for intersection improvements, boring under under Highway 3 to run utilities to the Joy Global and Teck sites, metering and backflow prevention to Mountain View Mobile Home Park, and pressure regulation to enhance water supply to Michel Creek Road.

Development Variance Permit – 441 Engelmann Spruce Drive

Council authorized sending out notices to surrounding property owners and tenants who may be affected advising them that council will, at the Regular Meeting of July 21, consider a Development Variance Permit to vary sections of the Zoning Bylaw for 441 Engelmann Spruce Drive to allow for construction of a front porch. The requested variance will reduce the minimum front yard from 7.62 m (25’) to 5.79m (19’).

2013 Annual Report and Financial Information

Council received the District’s 2013 Annual Report, which includes the audited financial statements, tax exemptions, municipal services and operations, and objectives and measures.

The Director of Finance presented the 2013 Statement of Financial Information. This document, which is prepared pursuant to the Financial Information Act, details council’s remuneration and expenses and all employees with remuneration over $75,000.

Both of these documents are available at the District of Sparwood Main Office or on our web page at http://www.sparwood.ca/residents/finance/budgetsreports.

Land Use Permit

The Mayor and Corporate Officer were authorized to execute an extension to October 31, for the Land Use Permit between the district and CP Rail. The permit covers property south of Finning.

Outdoor Exercise Equipment

The Sparwood Old Age Pensioners Society (SOAPS), working with the Recreation Department, was successful in receiving a grant to purchase outdoor exercise equipment. At a Special Meeting of council on June 30, council will consider a resolution to sublease a portion of the property known as Lilac Terrace adjacent to the Seniors Drop-In Centre to install outdoor adult exercise equipment.

Community Works Fund Agreement 2014

The Mayor and Director of Corporate Services were authorized to execute the Community Works Fund Agreement 2014 – 2024 between the district and UBCM. Funds received by the municipality are used for investments in capital and capacity building projects.

Svec Fund

The Mayor was authorized to execute the Agreement between the District of Sparwood and the Minister of Health for release of the trust fund from the Estate of Anton Svec. Funds from the Estate are restricted to use in the expansion of Lilac Terrace. The balance as at May 2014 is $740,659.34.

Bylaws

Bylaw 1153 cited as “Building Bylaw 1012, 2009,1981, Amendment Bylaw 1153, 2014” was adopted. This amendment was brought forward to include a Land Title Search fee in the fee schedule.

Michel Natal Kiosk

In 2013 Teck Coal installed information kiosks telling the story of Michel and Natal at the old Michel Hotel site. Teck plans to landscape the area with native plants and shrubs this year and install a bear proof garbage container. The district has agreed to take over summer maintenance of the site once landscaping is complete.

Council Travel

Any available member of council was authorized to attend an Economic Development Essentials for Local Leaders Workshop in Fernie on June 27 and the Elkford Wildcat Days Parade on June 28.

2014 Tax Notices

The 2014 tax notices have been mailed out. If you are a new owner and do not receive a tax notice by the end of May, please come into the District Office to obtain a duplicate copy. Notices are mailed to the owners shown on the Assessment Roll.

Depending upon the date of purchase, we may not have the new owner’s information and the tax notice will be mailed to the previous owner.

Reminder to all taxpayers that the deadline to pay your property taxes without penalty is July 4.

If you cannot pay your taxes in full and are entitled to claim the Home Owner Grant, it must be claimed before the deadline to avoid penalty on the grant portion.

Sparwood Farmer’s Market starts June 27

Titan Park Friday evenings 4 – 8 p.m. The Sparwood Farmer’s Market will be starting up again on Friday, June 27, and running every Friday night until September 5.

Check out the Sparwood Farmer’s Market Facebook page for a list of vendors.

For more information or to become a vendor, please contact the Sparwood Farmer’s Market Society at [email protected] or call 250-910-0770.

Sprinkling Regulations

The district has implemented sprinkling regulations that shall be 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 a.m.

Exceptions to sprinkling restrictions include nurseries, golf courses, farms, turf and tree farms, municipal parks, playing fields, and other municipal properties.

There will be special permission for those residents who have installed a new lawn (either seed or sod) for a period of 21 days after installation of the lawn.

Mosquito Control Program

To report instances of nuisance mosquitoes, get more information about the program or about mosquitoes in general, please contact the District of Sparwood at [email protected] or 250-425-6271 or fill out our online form at www.sparwood.ca/mosquito.

Please include your name, instance location, and contact information when reporting instances of nuisance mosquitoes.

The District of Sparwood has overseen the control of mosquitoes for many years. Businesses and recreational activities can suffer when the numbers of aggressive, daytime biting mosquitoes (known as ‘nuisance’ mosquitoes) rise to intolerable levels.

The goal of the Nuisance Mosquito Control Program has been to reduce their numbers to tolerable levels using integrated pest management measures.

Culex Environmental Ltd. is currently contracted to carry out the Nuisance Mosquito Program. Culex specializes in using environmentally sensitive approaches to mosquito management.

Canada Day – July 1 – Sparwood Recreation Centre

Tuesday, July 1 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Face Painting Bouncy Houses; Carnival Games; Obstacle Courses;

Canada Day Cupcakes at 1 p.m.

Garbage Pickup

There will be no garbage pickup on Canada Day, Tuesday, July 1. Garbage that is normally picked upon the Tuesday will be picked up on Monday, June 30.

Upcoming meetings in council chambers

– Monday, June 30 – Special Meeting at 7 p.m.

– Monday, July 21 – Regular Meeting at 7 p.m.

District of Sparwood

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