Submitted by City of Castlegar
Highlights from the June 13 Castlegar council meeting.
Municipal boundary expansion for Selkirk College
Council received a report seeking approval to proceed with the restructuring of municipal boundaries to incorporate lands owned by Selkirk College. When planning for an expansion of student housing at the Castlegar campus, Selkirk College commissioned an engineering report that deemed the on-site water supply insufficient and unreliable, and in need of costly upgrades to serve any expansion or growth of the college infrastructure. At that time, the province encouraged the college to seek alternatives for water supply. Following an investigation of options for alternative servicing, the province advised the college to request to connect to nearby city services. Connecting to the city’s services requires a municipal boundary extension. This report will be considered for adoption at the June 27, 2022 council meeting.
Art gallery and housing project memorandum of understanding
Council received a draft Memorandum of Understanding for the art gallery and housing project located at 310 Columbia Avenue and 1225 3rd Street (old Eremenko Building) outlining initial roles and responsibilities for the parties involved. This will be considered for adoption at the June 27, 2022 council meeting. This is an important step in a project that puts the city’s planning into action by supporting its Downtown Area Plan and Housing Strategy.
Canada Day
Council received an update from Deb McIntosh of the Castlegar & District Heritage Society, regarding the 2022 Canada Day event, sponsored by the city. The event will take place Friday, July 1 in downtown Castlegar and includes a market, BBQ and cake, live music, and games for kids, young and old. Stay tuned for more details on the city’s Facebook page.
Grant applications
Council approved applying to the Strategic Priorities Fund, delivered through the Canada Community-Building Fund in British Columbia, for up to $6 million to support proposed developments to the West Kootenay Regional Airport terminal building and airport access improvements; and up to $360,000 to support liquid waste management planning.
Property maintenance bylaw enforcement
Council approved completing remediation work at 2309 11th Avenue, a property deemed unsightly, before June 30 because the city has not been able to secure voluntary compliance with Property Maintenance Bylaw 1120.
Equipment purchase
Council authorized the purchase of a Trackless MT7ACPV Off-Road Vehicle from Kendrick Equipment for a total value of $149,999 plus taxes. This equipment is vital to city operations with its versatility, performing a wide range of tasks for the civic works department, including sidewalk sweeping and snow blowing.
Development variance permit
Council considered Development Variance Permit 1/22 (3213 5th Avenue) to permit a 15.3 metre (50.2 ft.) frontage and lot width, rather than the 18.0 metre (59.1 ft.) minimum specified in Zoning Bylaw 800 to allow subdivision to create one additional lot. The subdivision would result in each of the lots having a width and frontage that is less than required in the Single Residential Zone (R-1) of Zoning Bylaw 800. The former single-family dwelling was destroyed by a house fire and has since been demolished. This report will be considered for adoption at the next council meeting.
Development Incentives Program
Council gave first, second, and third reading to Development Cost Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 1380 – Repeal Bylaw No. 1389 due to an error with the Bylaw Schedule. A new amending Development Cost Charges Bylaw will be brought forward for readings at the June 27 meeting.
Council also considered changes to exempt staff and mayor and council pay.
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