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Ms. Eileen Fletcher attended our last meeting to present a discussion
paper on Revelstoke’s Heritage Conservation Area. Council Members were
updated on the findings of the initial community consultation and
research. Strong support for establishing a heritage conservation area
was expressed by the majority of the people attending the three open
houses. The discussion paper included objectives for heritage
conservation areas, requirements to obtain Heritage Alteration Permits,
proposed municipal financial incentives, as well as tax incentives for
exterior restoration of heritage homes. Ms. Fletcher outlined the
timelines and process for the remaining two phases which includes Bylaw
Development and the formal process of a Public Hearing and three
readings and final adoption of the Official Community Plan Amendment
Bylaw. This process will continue to honor the history and heritage of
our community.
Council voted unanimously
to participate in Phase 2 of the “Turn It Off Challenge”. The
municipality that signs up the greatest percentage of BC Hydro account
holders by December 15, 2007, will win province-wide recognition, along
with a $20,000.00 Power Smart retrofit of a municipal building within
the community. The City of Revelstoke will register our community by the
October 31, 2007 deadline. Community members are invited to register
their homes online at
www.bchydro.com and join “Team Power Smart” - encourage your
colleagues, friends and family to sign up. We can make a difference! We
can all continue to work together to improve the energy efficiency of
communities across the province and conserve energy for future
generations.
In reaction to a letter
from the Arrow Heights Parent Advisory Council regarding safety concerns
for school children who walk and bicycle to Arrow Heights School,
Council unanimously supported the following recommendation:
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That staff prepare
a cost estimate to install a flashing pedestrian control crosswalk
and a sidewalk along Nichol Road for the 2008 budget discussions.
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That staff explore
funding opportunities for developing a trail linkage system in the
area.
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That the issue of
a trail linkage system be referred to the Planning Department for
consideration as part of the subdivision process.
Proposed changes to the
garbage collection hours were also approved. The new hours for garbage
pickup will be from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This change reflects the same
start and finish hours as all the Public Works outdoor staff.
Council approved a
recommendation from the Manager of Development Services to amend the
Public Information Meeting Policy and Procedure so that an informal
public meeting will be a requirement prior to a Public Hearing. It is
felt that a public information meeting is a benefit, by allowing
dialogue between the developer and the public before, not during, a
Public Hearing. Based on comments received at the Public Information
Meeting, the developer will have the opportunity to fine tune the
proposal in advance of the Public Hearing.
Council also supported an
application by the Kawakubo Restaurant to add an Entertainment
Endorsement to their Liquor License. The approval of this application
permits Karaoke Entertainment within the three dining rooms on the
second floor until midnight.
Last, but not least, I
would like to update the community on what is happening in the way of
affordable housing. In an effort to ensure the development of affordable
housing, Council has directed staff to prepare an Inclusionary Zoning
Policy as soon as possible. The purpose of this policy is to provide
affordable units in perpetuity as a condition of rezoning a residential
higher density. The units will be created by the developer within the
proposed development for ownership. The benefit of this policy would
provide affordable units to be integrated into new developments at the
developer’s expense.
Big Bend Development
Corporation provided Council with a four page document outlining options
to deliver affordable housing on the Co-op Lands as quickly as possible.
Mr. Steve Platt offered his advice based on his thirty-five years of
experience in the real estate industry. City Council and the Affordable
Housing Committee members thank Mr. Platt for his insight and look
forward to reviewing this document as we move forward.
To better understand and
address affordable housing issues a workshop for committee members, City
Council, CFDC Board and realtors will be held on October 30th. The
workshop will assist with defining affordable housing goals and
strategies for gaining community acceptance.
For the sake of our
children and our community’s future, we must work together to address
all types of affordable housing in Revelstoke.
Submitted by
Councillor Richardson
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