Council met last night to discuss a few development applications and other issues on the agenda. Some of the councillors were away on family or other business but the councillors in attendance provided their usual wisdom and good discussion.
Westcan Gravel Pit
There was some discussion about the projected Westcan gravel pit project on the Westside, opposite Carr's Landing. The concern is the possible scarring of the land and the visual impact it could have on Carr's Landing residents. This issue was referred by the Province to the Regional District for comments. The concerns are shared by a number of people and they will be checked and taken into account prior to a final decision on whether to support this application is made. The Mayor raised a good point that the actual pit is hidden by a peak and it will not be visible from Carr's Landing. Another point made is that the Province has the power to approve the application even if the Regional District is not supportive of it. Westcan is a company owned by the Westbank First Nation.
Temporary Road Closure
Single lane alternating traffic will be in effect July 6th to September 3rd, between 7 am and 7 pm, Monday to Saturday, on Roberts Road and Pretty Road, between Roberts Road and Pretty Court, due to watermain upgrade. So expect some minor delays if you are driving through those areas.
Pebble Beach and BC Hydro
BC Hydro is doing some work involving the closure of the Safe Harbour, specifically the installation of submarine cables. Although it was known that these works would proceed at some point, Council was concerned for the lack of proactive communication from BC Hydro to Council and the residents that would be affected by the works. The issue is that the District was notified just hours prior to the works being commenced, which will affect usage of the Safe Harbour from July 19 to August 6. A letter will be sent to BC Hydro to express these concerns and find a better mutual way to communicate between BC Hydro and the District.
Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw
The Director of Corporate Services, who is responsible for the Bylaw Services (Enforcement) Department, presented the new Municipal Ticket Information (MTI) Bylaw to Council. Although the main purpose of the report was to update the current bylaw, it also addressed the need for more consistency and tools for bylaw enforcement in the community. In the past, enforcement was contracted to the Commissionaires and tickets couldn't be issued for all bylaw infractions but only for some (because the bylaw needed update). The new bylaw is a new more effective tool to address bylaw violations.
Development Applications
A number of development applications were presented to Council for approval.
Bylaw 719 is a comprehensive review of the current Zoning Bylaw 561. It has been in the works for a few months and was given 3rd reading in January of this year and then referred to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure for approval prior to Council's final adoption. The Ministry, which reviews these bylaws thoroughly, decided that some changes needed to be made to ensure consistency with their policies regarding land use and traffic/transportation issues. Last night, those changes were made and a new 3rd reading was given to the bylaw, which will be sent to the Ministry for final approval and then back to Council for final adoption.
Some people complained that they are not able to access and enjoy crown land adjacent to the Raven Ridge development in Carr's Landing. One of the lots was also fenced to ensure proper care of the property (Lot 15). The reality is that Rave Ridge is private property and people have been trespassing all along. By the same token, access to public land is a right for all and something needs to and will be done. The property is been subdivided and as part of the subdivision, a strip of land will be dedicated to the District for public use, which will provide access to the adjacent crown land. All in due time.
A few items were referred back to staff for clarification on a number of issues. One was a road closure in Okanagan Centre to align an existing right-of-way with the current status of the adjacent property and the road. Engineering has some concerns and they wish to review this matter further.
Another application for the discharge of a Land Use Contract with the Pixie Beach Resort was also referred back to staff for more discussion with the applicant especially with respect to the size of the proposed buildings to be constructed on the property (too big?).
Finally, a variance on a property on Redecopp Road was also deferred to the July 20th Council meeting upon the request of the Engineering department to review some servicing requirements or exemption from as requested by the applicant.
And that was it in a nutshell.
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