Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook Society provides grassroots leadership and an inclusive process, with a voice for all community members, to ensure that our community grows and develops in a way that incorporates an environmental ethic, offers a range of housing and transportation choices, encourages a vibrant and cultural life and supports sustainable, meaningful employment and business opportunities.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Post Notes for the Council Meeting of February 20, 2012

Public Hearing
Bylaws 3737 and 3739 consolidation of past amendments and the Slaterville Community Plan
There were no public comments.

Delegations

·        David Wilks, MP Kootenay Columbia – Update from Ottawa concerning the planned changes to the OAS and mandatory retirement

·        Ron Miles and Shellie Hollister – Outdoor Lacrosse Box.  Ron Miles described how they have for many years been planning the building of a Lacrosse Box. He felt there were about 150 players.  The group has enough money to pay for the box.  He did not say who would be responsible for maintenance.  Mayor Stetski asked for a formal letter request concerning the project, which Mr. Miles would like to locate on the side of the Rec Plex in line with the ramp to enable the Zamboni to clean the ice in winter.


·        Erna Jensen Schill, Paul Willis, Dr. Iona Hale re Winter Air Quality Study.  These three took turns to give a brief overview of the effects of wood stove smoke from wood stoves that are burning poorly.  The health effects of very small particulate matter are significant.  The full report can be read and downloaded at:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/39034343/Air%20Quality%20Report.pdf

And readers may wish to read our original posts which can easily be searched .  This is one:
http://livablecranbrook.blogspot.com/2011/12/air-quality-study-results.html


Administrative Update
The entire update can be read at:

Fire and Emergency Services Report, Johnny Reid April 20, Lou Gramm June 16 Rec Plex, North Star Trail, Athletic Commission.
Councillor Scott described her visit as part of Cranbrook’s newly formed Athletic Commission, to Vernon to shadow the Commission there. Mixed Martial Arts, Boxing and some other sports cannot take place in a community without the existence of an Athletic Commission and up until now Cranbrook has not had one.

Correspondence
All correspondence can be read beginning

Business Arising
1.     Resolution concerning Waste Collection and Disposal Bag and Bin Limits
This resolution, which will limit the number of bags of garbage, permitted per household per week to 2 passed unanimously.  Extra bags will require a special tag which will need to be purchased.  This new limit brings Cranbrook in line with other communities in the area and is designed to encourage more recycling and the preservation of a limited landfill.
2.     Report Recommendation from Engineering Development Cost Charge Bylaw Update, Incremental Municipal Assist Factor Analysis.
Much discussion ensued around this difficult decision. Councillors Whetham and Cross wished to make industrial and commercial development easier to accomplish while at the same time enabling residential development to pay for itself.  Under current DCC regulations, different rates for different categories cannot be set.  Due to the significant jump in rates already necessary, Council agreed to maintain the current assist rates of 51% for roads and 11% for sewer and water.  Administration was asked to look into incentives for green construction such as storm water control.
All new draft rates will now undergo public review.

Committee Recommendations

Cranbrook in Motion – several concerns including pedestrian safety on Victoria.  The recommendations, which were all accepted, can be read at:

North Star Rails to Trails Designation as part of Trans Canada Trail
Accepted.

Appointment to the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan Committee
Patricia Whalen

New Business
1.     Urban Deer Cull Summary Report.  The report was accepted. A letter concerning the re-evaluation of catch and release was discussed under correspondence and this letter has been forwarded to the Deer Committee.

2.     Development Variance permit, Shadow Mountain

Comment
It is shocking that placing a property so close to a river would even have to be considered in light of current awareness around these issues and questionable past riparian and floodplain treatments.  It is heartening to see the administration recommendation is against this proposal.

The request from the landowner to ignore the 6metre set back was declined unanimously. The location of the property backing on to St. Mary’s River was designed to allow for the riparian zone, wildlife corridor and flood plain specifications.

Bylaws

Report Recommendations regarding zoning bylaws 3737 and 3739 (Slaterville), third reading and adoption.  Passed






1 comment:

  1. Once again I appreciate the detailed post notes for the Council Meeting. I wonder how many citizens have ever attended such a meeting? Great to see the Key City Air Cadets in attendance for part of the meeting to observe how Council conducts its affairs.

    ReplyDelete