Regular Council Meeting January 28, 2008
Posted by admin in : Fernie , add a comment#1 – Development Variance Permit Approved
Council approved the issuance of Development Variance Permit (DVP) No.179 to Sally Berquist and Tyler Steen for 461 9th Avenue. The DVP will allow the landowner to proceed with the proposed subdivision of the property which will create two lots having the minimum parcel areas of 315 square meters and 353 square metres respectively and further, allow the duplex dwelling to have two separate titles.
#2 – Mr. Casey Brennan on behalf of the East Kootenay Conservation Program provided a PowerPoint Presentation to Council outlining the Program’s efforts to have the Regional District of East Kootenay adopt a service establishment bylaw to raise $750,000 annually to establish a local conservation fund which would conserve fish and wildlife habitat, watersheds and open spaces including family ranches and forested land. It was noted that a parcel tax of $20. imposed over the entire regional district would raise the targeted Revenue amount.
Council for the City will be requesting details from the RDEK regarding the percentage of revenue that would be raised to fund the proposed conservation fund that would be allocated to administration expenses and will further consider the matter at the Regular Meeting scheduled for February 11, 2008.
#3 Liquor Licence Amendment Approved
Council approved the application submitted by The Red Tree Lodge and Restaurant located at 1101 7th Avenue (formerly the Cedar Lodge). The proponent has applied to the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch (LCLB) to amend their Food Primary Liquor Licence to include a Patron Participation Entertainment
Endorsement. This will include the occasional hosting of live music lounge acts and private parties with music.
#4 - Representative for Seniors Act (M 2 
Council indicated its support for Bill M228 a bill that will establish an independent officer of the Legislature to act as a Representative for Seniors who would oversee and protect the rights of seniors in British Columbia.
#5- Official Community Plan Implementation Committee (OCP_IC) – Revised Terms of Reference & Implementation Program Action Plan
Amanda Ridgway, Chairperson for the OCP-IC provided an update on and review of the Committee’s work to date and recommendation with regards to the Terms of Reference and update of the OCP Implementation checklist.
Council approved the revised Terms of Reference and accepted the revised OCP Action Plan and will consider the action plan in planning and budget deliberations for 2008/2009.
#6 – Ridding Canada of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)
These chemicals, long used as flame retardants in furniture, textiles, television sets and more have been classified as toxic under the Canadian Environmental Act.
Council indicates its support for Motion M-38 regarding a proposed ban on the production and importation of products containing the additive PBDEs.
Regular Council Meeting January 18, 2008
Posted by admin in : Fernie , add a comment#1 – Development Variance Permits Approved
➢ After fulfilling the mandatory notice requirements and providing an opportunity for input from the public, Council approved the issuance of Development Variance Permits (DVP) #177 and #180 which both apply to 1691 11th Avenue. The Permits vary the minimum frontage, minimum parcel area and the minimum side yard setbacks stipulated in the Zoning Bylaw and will enable a proposed subdivision of the property to proceed. If the subdivision is eventually approved, the parcel will still consist of two legal lots but the property line between the two lots will be realigned in order to legalize the siting of the existing house and to allow another dwelling to be constructed on the vacant lot.
DVP #178 was also approved for Trico Freedom’s proposed Tamarack View (Phase 1) located at 1800 Railway Avenue. The DVP varies the maximum permitted height of multiple family residential buildings from 12 metres (39.4 feet) to 13 metres (42.65 feet) for four proposed fourplexes, two sixplexes and a threeplex.
#2 – Sustainability Funding Agreement Approved
➢ Council approved a funding agreement between the City of Fernie and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) for an Integrated Community Sustainability Plan Scoping Report. The approval follows a Work Plan and funding application that was approved by Council in May, 2007 and will allow the City to access $5,000 in funding administered by the UBCM and provided through the transfer of Federal Gas Tax Revenues.
The funds will be used to conduct a Community Assessment to assess the City’s readiness to engage in integrated community sustainability planning, to review current plans and capacity relative to community sustainability, to conduct an analysis regarding community sustainability and to prepare a community sustainability scoping paper that will create a framework for defining future sustainability plans and projects.