Council Meeting News

ANNOUNCEMENTS

We are still looking for volunteers for our committees as several positions are available because terms have expired. It is difficult to find people that wish to give free time when there is so much economic turmoil nowadays.  We are also reminding people that Nomination Packages are available for the upcoming Municipal Election. I believe one aspiring candidate has filed with Hazel this morning.  We are also informing the public that water bills have been mailed and payments are due on October 31. Finally it's going to be Waste Reduction Week the week of October 17.

LAND DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS

We are asking Council to approve a Development Variance Permit to relax the rear yard property setback for a home at the Lakes (12976 East Ridge Court). In this case, DLC incorrectly issued the permit for the structure so we are fixing the problem. We are also proposing adoption of rezoning of the property immediately south of the Sage Glen subdivision on Chase Road to allow the construction of attainable housing (mostly duplexes) on the property. We will then deal with a request to swap land with the District with the intent to close a  laneway on Oyama Road.  In reality we already own the road under provincial legislation so we are asking Council to reject the proposal. Finally, Council will deal with the proposed rezoning of large portions of land in Oyama to create 21 lots and subdivide them for future development. The owners wish to do this mostly to ensure that family members can have portions of their lands and live there, however there are concerns from the public on density and especially on servicing. It will be an item of great discussion around the Council table. In fact it will be the highlight of the evening.

ADMINISTRATION

In view of the recession and in order to alleviate possible tax increases in the 2012 budget, I am asking Council to initiate a Business Systems Review with the intent to find efficiencies within the budget. I am concerned that a tax increase would be too much at this time for our residents, especially those who have lived here for a long time and have very little disposable income.  I hope to have this completed as part of the budget process.

PROTECTIVE SERVICES

The Fire Department is proposing a new Fire Prevention Bylaw and coordination with our Bylaw Enforcement Ticketing bylaw (Municipal Ticketing Information Bylaw).  There is a lot of effort from staff to put together this bylaw and more coordination will be needed to complete it before final adoption.

DAVIDSON ROAD

The last item on the agenda is a Notice of Motion from Councillor Gambell which reads:

That Council allocate funds of up to $25,000 from prior years' general fund accumulated surplus to continue the pedestrian pathway northwards up Bond Road and to straighten the pathway section at the intersection of Davidson and Bond Roads;

And that the work be completed in the Fall of 2011

A number of residents, although pleased with Council's action to complete improvements to Davidson Road, have expressed the desire to further improve the safety features at Bond and Davidson and I believe this motions is trying to address those requests.

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