5.1 Cranbrook in Bloom
Pat Adams and Jenny Humphrey through a slide presentation of 'before and after' demonstrated the work of the Communities in Bloom, subsequently Cranbrook in Bloom Committee over the last 9 years. The Committee has now handed over remaining funds to the city and has completed their part in projects designed to improve Cranbrook's appearance. Some members of the committee will continue to volunteer their services if requested.
Several volunteers and past members of the committee attended this council meeting. Mayor Stetski and Councillor Davis thanked the dedicated group of volunteers for their extensive work.
5.2 Chamber of Commerce - Sign By-law Review
Jason Wheeldon presented an extensive report put together by several members of the business community and Chamber of Commerce. These members looked at other service centres through the Province in order to provide the City's planning department with their ideas for improvement to the draft bylaw. The Chambers Full report can be read at: https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=2783
Comment
The absence of adaptation to climate change was noted in this report as the report recommended keeping the current 10 metre maximum height. It was interesting to see the pictures of two tall signs damaged in last summer's wind storm - solid impenetrable structures at height have been known to be hazardous in high winds and with predictions of more of these storms in the future, one must assume when municipalities are being asked to prepare for climate change that this will be taken into consideration by both insurance companies and our own municipality.
It was unclear why Councillor Pallesen asked the City Engineer for his opinion on this delegation's report and not the City Planner with whom the responsibility rests.
Council and the City Planning department must now consider this and all other comment received about the draft sign bylaw and it is hoped that after many years, Cranbrook may finally see a new bylaw that everyone can live with.
Inquiries
Councillor Pallesen brought up the issue of the further enhanced West Entrance improvement project. Councillor Warner requested further clarification from Public Works for a confused resident with regard to refuse collection. This matter has come up before and it seems a rather ridiculous situation that when there are five smaller neatly wrapped plastic bags of garbage in a garbage can, none of the bags are collected because they are considered 'loose' and there is a three limit. Councillor Warner also gave notice of motion regarding sidewalk clearance.
Comment
During inquiries and with regard to Councillor Pallesens's questions about Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook, Councillor Scott gave caution to the public stating, "I also have a cautionary note for people out there with regards to the blog, it is a blog and people who read it should be aware that it is a blog and it is not reporters on this blog, its not the media" She went on "anytime you read a blog you have to be aware of that fact and perhaps not all of the information is always correct"
We must defend the Cranbrook Guardian for we consistently have requested that if any readers have verified information which is contrary to our material we ask that you let us know by way of comment or email. We take pride in the issues we do research and we take care to make sure our information is verified, truthful and accurate. We take pride in allowing everyone to bring their points forward.
Councillor Scott did attempt to qualify her statements at the end of the Council Meeting by revisiting these previous statements and she did say she would advise people to not get their information from just one source. With that we can concur because it is only with all the information that the best decisions are made.
It is also important to note The Cranbrook Guardian is not influenced by any paid advertising. Any information we provide to the community is given free of charge for the sake of that knowledge itself.
7.1 Administration Updates
The full report can be read at:
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=2784
Council has requested monthly updates regarding the balance and transactions from the contingency funds. This is a new addition to the topics in Administration Reports.
Corporate Services -
A liquor licence has been requested by the Key City Theatre Society
Correspondence
All correspondence can be found beginning:
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=2785
9.1 Carmen Purdy has been nominated to receive the Diamond Jubilee Medal
9.2 Wheel Chair Accessibility
9.3 Willowbrook Estates Snowplowing
It has been asked why the unused sidewalk on the ball park side of Willowbrook Dive is ploughed but the Estate side is not. The city owns the property on the Ball Park side which is why it is ploughed.
All property owners are responsible for sidewalks adjacent to their property. This issue has been referred for more consideration.
9.4 Doctor Shortage
9.5 Economic Development Workshop
9.6 Bylaw Enforcement Concerns
This letter and the City's response can be read at:
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=2790
9.7 BOABC Conference Donation and Support Request
9.8 Signage at Sylvan Lake Road
It was suggested that a meeting be held with all groups concerned, Community Forest Society, the City and Ministry to see what suitable measures can be taken to solve this parking problem. This issue speaks to the popularity of the Community Forest and what responsibility the City should accept when this valuable resource contributes so much to our town's population.
9.9 Proclamation - Drinking Water Week May 20 - 26th
Councillor Cross enquired whether a special event might be held at this time. Chris Zettel is looking into that possibility.
New Business
12.1 Notice of Motion - Councillor Davis - Relationship with the RDEK
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=2794
This resolution was defeated - Councillor Davis requesting his vote for the resolution be recorded. Councillor Davis made his feelings clearly known that as far as he is concerned, the appointed officials to the as yet, non existent community of Jumbo should have a presence at the RDEK table.
Mayor Stetski pointed out that the agenda and package for the RDEK meetings is public information and suggested that should there be a matter considered to be of sufficient importance to Cranbrook Council alone that it be brought to the attention of council by those concerned and that if time permitted Council might be able to consider the matter at hand.
12.11 A request to support the nomination of Barb Ryeburn (Friends of Burma) for an award with the potential of $20000 value was approved.
12.2 Mayor's Brown Bag Lunch
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=2795
Next Brown Bag Lunch has been postponed until Wednesday February 27th
12.3 Cranbrook in Motion Terms of Reference
12.4 Cranbrook in Motion Appointment
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=2797
12.5 Appointment ISIP Committee
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=2798
12.6 Appointment to Environment and Utilities and Wellness and Heritage Committee
12.7 Appointment to Hwy 395 and ICSP
12.8 Parcel Tax Review PANEL
Bylaws
13.1 Bylaw 3762 (Zoning)
Postponed for more research
13.2 Bylaw 3763 (Zoning)
Zoning for Tatoo Studio at 307 King St. 1st and 2nd readings carried
I have been doing and teaching media, communications, journalism for 55 years; have founded a college grad program in new media communications and have been a reporter/editor at nine Canadian daily newspapers.
ReplyDeleteTrust me, the Cranbrook Guardian is doing a fine job, and "the blog" frightens the wits out of some who do not wish to see certain issues be part of the public discourse. Keep up the good work.
Full disclosure: I am not now and never have been a member of the Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook Society. I am also not a member of any political party.
I would like the writer of the blog above to provide solid research on the significance of the change from 9 m signs to 6 m signs with respect to climate change.
ReplyDeleteWe cannot provide you with that research on that height difference. The anecdotal information provided last night and these articles are examples of what might/or not happen in high winds.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2012/10/29/canada-hurricane-sandy-frankenstorm.html
http://www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/dem/pdf/Windstorms.pdf
When municipalities and different levels of government are being urged to make adaptations for climate change we have suggested this may be one to consider.
Thanks for summary of proceedings.
ReplyDeleteIt was brought to my attention last night that the CLC posted an observation on the sign bylaw presentation made to council the other evening. I feel it only prudent to respond. A comment on this blog appeared noting the two photos we used in our presentation of signage that suffered wind damage was inferred to have suffered such damage from being too high (10m). It further implies that the proposed reduction to 6 m for these signs could have prevented the damage caused by such winds. The blog stated “…the report recommended keeping the current 10 metre maximum height. It was interesting to see the pictures of two tall signs damaged in last summer’s wind storm – solid impenetrable structures at height have been known to be hazardous in high winds…”
ReplyDeleteThe two photos we used were of the Heritage Inn Sign and the McDonalds sign (we can email you such photos). Both photos clearly depict damage. It is interesting to note that the McDonalds sign suffered damage on its mid-section which is closer to 5-6 metres not at the 10 metre height. Further, the Heritage Inn sign suffered damage on its lower corner again, not near the 10metre height mark.
It clearly demonstrates that winds with high velocity will damage signage at any height. The report recommends that the existing 10m height remain but further cites that zoning specific sign heights should be in place as in other municipalities and separates neighborhoods and zones.
Further, there was an observation made on this blog about “the absence of adaptation to climate change” Without further clarification from the author of the blog on how this relates to signage we can only assume that it is in the same reference to higher velocity winds. We would direct the blogger to refer to page 7 and 8 of our report which states: “The Chamber recommends the following wording be incorporated into the wording (Draft Bylaw)…If required by the Building Inspector, a copy of stress sheets and calculations prepared by or approved by a registered structural engineer licensed to practice in the Province of BC showing that the sign is designed for dead load and wind pressure in any direction in the amount required by this and all other applicable bylaws.
Which leads me to my last point, the same blog also states “It is unclear why Councillor Pallesen asked the City Engineer for his opinion on this delegations report and not the City Planner with whom the responsibility rests.” It is the Building and Engineering Department who handle sign permit applications and provide the front line service of applications and permits. It is that department who must interpret and administer the bylaw so it is entirely reasonable and applauded for that department to comment. Essentially, the planning department drafts the bylaw; it is then the responsibility of all city departments to ensure that it is adhered to. The City Engineer and our Building Inspector will deal with the sign permit applications, Councillor Pallesen understood the process and directed her question to an appropriate department.
I trust this clears up any issues and addresses those observations. In future, the committee that prepared and researched the report is more than happy to meet with your organization or any other organization to discuss the rationale, findings and recommendations contained within that report. Please contact us at your convenience to arrange a meeting; we look forward to the discussion.
Sincerely;
Jason Wheeldon, Committee Chair of Sign Bylaw Committee, Cranbrook & District Chamber of Commerce
Thanks Jason - appreciate the input.
ReplyDeleteThank you to the Chamber Board, staff and volunteer committee members for producing such a comprehensive and well-researched report. It appears to strike an excellent balance among the bylaws priorities, as well as the various stakeholders. Further, by using similar legislation from communities that are closely aligned with Cranbrook's business and traffic profile, the report's recommendations should be easier to implement, interpret and enforce. Well done!
ReplyDelete