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, June 11, 2013

Post Notes for the Council Meeting of June 10th

Prior to the Council meeting banners were presented to some of Cranbrook's well-known and deserving citizens.  The banners will be hung with Cranbrook's other citizen recognition banners.


Past Councillor Liz Schatschneider and Mayor Wayne Stetski flank the recipients
 Delegations
Ken Haberman and Rob Amsing
1. Ken Haberman - brick electrical building between City Hall and Fire Hall
Rob Amsing and Ken Haberman explained to council their plan for preserving the old electrical building behind City Hall.  With thirty or so volunteers, ready to commit work in kind and with their building expertise, both Ken and Rob recognise the historical value of this building in its current location and have stepped forward to take on this project.  They asked for a one year extension in order to secure the necessary funding for materials to complete the project.  Some councillors expressed concern about the final structural security of the building.  There was also concern from some that future planning may not allow for this building to be kept.  
Council had previously decided to demolish the building but a delay was granted after citizens stepped forward to take on this project.  Council must now make a decision whether accept this offer or not.
Comment
It was noted during Spirit Square discussion that there is much potential for this small remaining intact heritage corner in the heart of downtown. It is wonderful to have citizens who recognise this and who are willing contribute to its preservation. 

2. Don Davidson, Kimberley Hospice Society
Don and his wife Jeanne gave a detailed overview of the work of the Cranbrook and Kimberley Hospice Society.  They also explained the history of loss funding in 2004 and the reformation of the group on a volunteer basis.  There are about thirty volunteers and a coordinator who works for $0.  This group performs invaluable work and can be reached at 417-2719.

Council Inquiries
There have been ongoing enquiries about the fountain construction at the Firehall and Councillor Cross requested that there be full disclosure about this project so that the public are completely informed.
Brian Kostiuk continues to enquire about the safety of the Victoria /1st St exit.  Councillor Cross relayed the steps that Mr. Kostiuk is taking to pursue the issue including a review from Worksafe BC and Engineering.  Councillor Whetham commented that in Europe it is not unusual to see a barrier placed in this type of location to force cyclists, skateboarders etc to stop.

Administration Update
This informative report can be read in detail at:
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=3094
Coffee with the Mayor - notes
Kiosk Signage for downtown
Elizabeth Lake Entrance Improvement Status
Spray Irrigation Site cattle watering  CAO Staudt explained how the cattle did not find the new fresh water trough for a couple of days but they are now very much enjoying and using this source for their drinking water.  The cattle now has alternative to effluent in this one location.
Header Pipe Repair Review
DCC Bylaw Review
Council Contingency Fund Update
Surplus asset disposal
Cranbrook in Bloom, remaining funds.  These funds are to be used for trees and shrubs needing replacement 
Fire and Emergency Services Report
Leisure Services, dog issues, Moir Park, Bike Skills Park, Tennis Courts, Canada Day Planning
Staff recognition, Jari Weaver - Congratulations Jari.
Public Works, salt on sidewalk usage, valley floor nightime pressure reduction to lower water leakage

Correspondence
beginning:
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=3095

9.4 Invitation to Castlegar Sculpture walk      

https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=3098
http://www.sculpturewalkcastlegar.com/about/






9.5 Meridian Nightmares
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=3099
The issue of turning out from the Tamarack Mall on to Cranbrook's strip.  This item will be referred to Misistry of Highways and Infrastructure as it is their jurisdiction.

 Proclamations
International Day of Peace and Legion Week
So proclaimed

New Business
12.1
Baker Hill Development Permit
To consider approval of an application for a Baker Hill Development Permit to enable construction of  a garage addition and the replacement of exterior siding for an existing single-family dwelling located at 233 - 11th Avenue South, zoned R-1 - Single Family Extended Residential Zone.
Carried

12.2
lndustrial Development Permit
To consider approval of an industrial Development Permit to enable industrial development on property located 1 724 1ndustrial Road“ 2", zoned M2- Light lndustrial Zone, and designated as an industrial Development Permit Area
Carried

12.3
To seek a resolution of Council endorsing the submission of a resolution to the UBCM for the establishment of a "Community Forest Management Zone for Wildfire Hazard Reduction".
Councillor Cross asked that the Community Forest Society be included in this discussion as they too have some plans in place.  The CCF aslo holds the joint management agreement with the Ministry of Forestry.

Bylaws
13.1
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=3107
To consider proposed UCity of Cranbrook Building Bylaw, No, 3725, 2013" to maintain a high quality of building construction in the City while minimizing the City's exposure to liability as a result of its involvement in the building permit issuance and building inspection processes.
Councillor Pallesen asked for this item to be postponed.  This bylaw will be postponed until the July 15th.

13.2
To consider third reading of proposed Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 3769, 2013 to add definitions and zoning regulations with respect to the use of shipping containers within commercial, industrial and public utility zones into the City's Zoning Bylaw.
Carried.

13.3
To present the Five Year Financial Plan (2013 to 2017) Amendment Bylaw to Council for adoption to address the emergency pipeline repairs at the Spray Irrigation Facility.
Carried.

13.4
To consider second reading and referrals for a proposed text amendment to the M-2 - Light Industrial Zone of the Zoning Bylaw to enable a family fun-park use to be established on property located at 1000 Industrial Road No.2 only.
Carried.

13.5
To consider an amendment to the City's Land Use Applications Procedures Bylaw No. 3133, 1993 to add "Joseph Creek Development Permit" as a Development Approval Information area, consistent with the City's Official Community Plan (OCP).
On May 27, 2013 Council adopted OCP Amendment Bylaw No. 3755, 2013 which added a new
Development Permit guideline that will require applications within the Joseph Creek Development
Permit Area (DPA) to be accompanied by a report from a Professional Biologist with experience in
riparian and aquatic ecosystems. The report will help to better address compliance with the
guidelines established in the DP area to help protect Joseph Creek.
Carried.

13.6
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=3112
Sign Bylaw
To consider the revised draft of the proposed Sign Bylaw which has integrated the specific direction
provided by Council at the Special Council Meeting of May 15, 2013.
This item provided an opportunity for Councillors to make final comments about the proposed bylaw.  There was considerable discussion around the topic of billboards and the number of portable signs permitted within the city.  Councillor Whetham made the point that billboards were not permitted (even though some exist) under the old bylaw so saw no reason to introduce them now.  Councillors Scott, Davis, Pallesen and Warner disagreed and generally felt billboards should be permitted.  Councillor Scott suggested a billboard to advertise the Railway Museum might be a good thing.  Councillor Cross quoted comments from a tourism website decrying the appearance on Cranbrook's strip.  She went on to state how in the Chamber's presentations to Council concerning the Sign Bylaw, nowhere did she read about their vision for this corridor.  Mayor Stetski outlined the purpose of bringing this bylaw to the table.  One of the most important reasons was to improve the aesthetics of the strip. Councillors Scott, Warner, Pallesen and Davis defeated Mayor Wayne Stetski and Councillors Cross and Whetham by including the billboard clause and asking for an amendment to increase the number of permitted portable signs.
Comment
For many this was hugely disappointing discussion.  It was obvious that the opinion of many non-business owner residents was outvoted.

3 comments:

  1. How incredibly disappointing that four councillors continue to ignore the negative impact that the "strip" conveys to visitors to our city. I will have to continue to apologize to family and friends who visit from Europe for the ugliness of our sign infested main thoroughfare as I drive them to our home. The scenery here is spectacular - what a shame that we have to look through a plethora of tall signs and billboards to see it.

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  2. Bloc voting????

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  3. That signage allowance is really too bad... Cranbrook has so much potential as a great place to live, but first impressions are powerful and it is amazing how most out of towners percieve Cranbrook by the impression they get as they drive through. Without an in-town ski hill or lake to distinguish the town, the strip is all most people identify with the town.

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