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I hope that everyone had a good
Canada Day long weekend and is now either back at work or enjoying some
summer holidays.
I expect that most people
have noticed that there is a fair amount of construction activity around
town with lots of residential and commercial renovations and updates
taking place and more new residential construction taking place than we
have seen in a number of years. As well Council dealt with a number of
development applications at the regular meeting on June 26 including one
for a significant new project combining residential and storage
facilities on Townley Street and another for a major facelift to the
building that houses Zala’s and a number of other businesses. This
latter one with the new look of the former Columbia Motel and the old
Dixie Lee, will really enhance the look of this entrance to the
community.
The City is also moving
forward on some things that are not so visible right now but will have
some real impact in years to come. Council received the Sanitary Sewer
Planning Study for Arrow Heights and as well the Geotechnical and Sewer
study for the Clearview Heights (CPR Hill) areas of town. Council also
passed a resolution to make application for a Local Government Planning
Grant to complete a sewer study for the Big Eddy Area and to undertake
that study upon obtaining that grant. I am confident that the grant will
be obtained and the study will take place. This study, together with the
ones we have will give staff and council the tools and information
needed to take the next steps towards an overall implementation plan and
to explore funding options to actually build the infrastructure. I
emphasize that we are still at the planning stage and no one should
expect any construction to be taking place any time very soon and
without further public consultation.
Council also received a
report on the City’s Environmental Strategy Implementation and
Initiatives. This report is worth a read and is posted on the City’s
website. A lot of the initiatives are not particularly visible but they
are happening and do have a positive effect in time. A few of the steps
that you will see detailed in the report are: a significant reduction in
pesticide and herbicide use on City lands, a reduction in light and
noise pollution through reduced wattage street lighting and work towards
train whistle cessation and water conservation through reduced
sprinkling, more efficient irrigation systems and the encouragement of
higher water efficiency plumbing fixtures. There are many other steps
being taken and ideas from the public for improvement are welcome.
Lastly, no Mayor’s report
is complete without a comment on Mt. Mackenzie. We have had a public
information meeting which saw a great turnout. The next step in the
Official Community Plan amendment process for the Resort Lands is the
formal Public Hearing required as part of the amendment process. This
will take place on July 10, 2006 at 7:00 P.M. at the Fire Hall. In the
meantime, the City has been informed by the developer that they
anticipate run clearing, road construction and clearing for the core
village area will be taking place over the summer. They have advised
that during this work a sediment and erosion control plan will be in
place, a re-vegetation plan implemented and an environmental monitor
on-site to ensure effectiveness of the plans to protect water sources in
the area.
There are lots of good
things happening in town and when you get an opportunity to give input
or make your views known, don’t pass it up.
Submitted by Councillor
Christopher Johnston
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