The following is a synopsis of what occurred during the Dec. 3 District of Sparwood council meeting and some information for residents.

DELEGATIONS

RCMP – Elk Valley Detachment

Staff Sgt. Jeff Harrold of the Elk Valley RCMP Detachment presented the third Quarter Report on offences responded to by the detachment. The report reflected an increase of 44 calls for service over the same period in 2017. The detachment will continue to monitor speeding on Michel Creek Road; however, currently their primary focus is on dangerous driving.

BUSINESS

Socio-Community and Economic Effects Advisory Committee (SCEEAC)

Council established the SCEEAC; adopted the Terms of Reference; and appointed Councillors Christensen and Jarina, Don Sander (Elkview Operations General Manager), Nic Milligan (Teck Sparwood Manager), Chris Stroich (Elkview Environmental Superintendent), Allison Burton, Don Crawford, John Ralph, Keenan Adams, Maeve Scannell, Tracey Brook-Baker, and Wes Pinsent to the committee.

The SCEEAC is a requirement of Condition 21 of Teck’s Environmental Assessment Certificate for the Baldy Ridge Expansion (BRE) project. Specifically, the SCEEAC will receive community input and feedback, information from Teck, review plans and propose adjustments to the mitigation measures for various impacts that BRE has on the Sparwood community. Examples of effects include visual impacts, noise, blasting/vibration, dust, and others.

Another role of the SCEEAC will be to take part in the Livability Study, which was initiated in September and will continue into the summer of 2019. This study will evaluate the quality of life in Sparwood using a variety of indicators to be developed. Public engagement is anticipated to start in January.

Community, Culture and Recreation Grant Program

Council approved submitting an application to the Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Grant Program (CCR) for funding for an indoor soccer field. The CCR funding is designed to support infrastructure projects that improve access to or increase the quality of cultural, recreational and community infrastructure. If the grant application is successful funding would be 40% federal, 33.33% provincial and 26.67% municipal. Council also approved a 2019 operational budget expenditure of $30,000 to engage a consultant to prepare the grant application.

BYLAWS

Clean Air Bylaw

Clean Air Bylaw 1241, 2018 was adopted. This bylaw mirrors the provincial regulations regarding outdoor consumption of cannabis and tobacco products in public places; includes the provincial regulations for the 6m buffers into the Bylaw to provide the Bylaw Enforcement Officer with tools to bring about compliance with provincial regulations; authorizes the Director of Community and Facility Services to designate smoking areas at or near municipal facilities; and provides details related to signage requirements. An outline for a public communications plan and educational brochure will be presented at the February Committee of the Whole meeting.

Development Variance Permits (DVPs)

323 Pacific Yew Crescent – Front & Side Yard Setback

Council approved DVP 2018-003 for 323 Pacific Yew Crescent to reduce the front yard setback from 7.62 metres to 6.5 metres to allow the owners to construct a mudroom. The variance also reduced the front yard setback from 7.62 metres to 7.0 metres and the side yard setback from 1.52 metres to 1.4 metres to legalize the existing single-family dwelling.

100 Aspen Drive – Side Yard Setback

Council approved DVP 2018-004 for 100 Aspen Drive to reduce the side yard setback for any part of a mobile home or any addition from 1.52 metres to 0 metres on the south side of mobile home spaces 9, 16, 22, 29, 36, 42, 48, 55, 61, 66, and 71. This variance will allow replacement mobile homes or additions in these spaces to be placed directly along, but not within, the BC Hydro right-of-way.

OTHER INFORMATION

Light Up a Child’s Life Campaign

The Sparwood Chamber of Commerce has a tree set up in the Greenwood Mall for the Light Up a Child’s Life campaign. If you have a few hours to spare, please consider volunteering to sit at the tree. All proceeds go to the Sparwood Food Bank and Toys for Tots. For more information, please contact the Sparwood Chamber of Commerce at 250-425-2423.

Snow Removal and Ice Control

Winter Parking Regulations

October 1 – March 31

REMINDER that the District’s Traffic, Parking and Highway Regulation Bylaw No. 472, 1987 prohibits on-street parking from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. October 1 to March 31 inclusive. Please park your vehicles in your driveway so that the operators can do a neat and thorough job of clearing the streets.

Residents should note that:

• Parking on the street during snow plowing, snow removal, snow hauling, or sanding operations is prohibited;
• It is an offence to push, place or throw or allow to be pushed, placed or thrown any snow or ice upon a highway or lane;
• That no advance warning is required under the bylaw and section 189 (1) (n) of the Motor Vehicle Act and offending vehicles will be towed.

Business Licences

Anyone carrying on a business within the municipality requires a business licence. This includes all home occupations, catalogue sales, commercial, and out of town businesses.

Invoices for the 2019 business licences will be mailed later this week.

UPCOMING DISTRICT MEETINGS

– Regular Council Meeting in Council Chambers on Monday, December 17 at 6 p.m.

– Regular Council Meeting in Council Chambers on Monday, January 8, 2019 at 6 p.m.

District of Sparwood

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