 | ELECTORAL AREAS SERVICES COMMITTEE | |
| Monday, February 26, 2024 | ||
| Minutes of the meeting of the Electoral Areas Services Committee held on February 26, 2024 in the Civic Room of the Comox Valley Regional District offices located at 770 Harmston Avenue, Courtenay, BC commencing at 10:00 am. | ||
| MINUTES | ||
| Present: | ||
| Chair: | E. Grieve | Puntledge/Black Creek (Area C) |
| Vice-Chair: | R. Hardy | Lazo North (Area B) |
| Director: | D. Arbour | Baynes Sound-Denman/Hornby Islands (Area A) |
| Staff: | L. Wiwcharuk | Chief Financial Officer |
| A. Mullaly | General Manager of Planning and Development | |
| M. Rutten | Acting Chief Administrative Officer | |
| D. DeMarzo | General Manager of Community Services | |
| J. Martens | General Manager of Corporate Services | |
| L. Dennis | Manager of Legislative Services | |
| A. Baldwin | Legislative Services Assistant | |
| ATTENDANCE: | ||||||
| Director Cole-Hamilton, Chair of the Comox Valley Regional District Board, was in attendance. | ||||||
| RECOGNITION OF TRADITIONAL TERRITORIES: | ||||||
| The Chair acknowledged that the meeting was being held on the unceded traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation. | ||||||
| UNFINISHED BUSINESS: | ||||||
| DELEGATION FOLLOW-UP - HORNBY ISLAND ARTS COUNCIL | ||||||
| D. Demarzo, General Manager of Community Services, provided a verbal update on follow-up with the delegation from the Hornby Arts Council on February 7, 2024 regarding a request for operating funds for the new Arts Centre. | ||||||
| RESOLUTIONS STATUS REPORT: | ||||||
| D. Arbour/R. Hardy: THAT the Electoral Areas Services Committee resolutions status report dated February 2024 be received. [Item] | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| PUBLIC INPUT - 2024-2028 FINANCIAL PLAN: | ||||||
| L. Wiwcharuk, Chief Financial Officer, provided a summary of public input received in regards to the 2024-2028 proposed financial plan and the specific CVRD services under consideration.
Members of the public may submit comments, questions, or feedback on the 2024-2028 proposed financial plan here: www.engagecomoxvalley.ca/budget | ||||||
| REPORTS: | ||||||
| ELECTORAL AREA B - DEVELOPMENT VARIANCE PERMIT – 1891 VERA DRIVE (KNEELAND/DUNSMORE) | ||||||
| D. Arbour/R. Hardy: THAT the report dated February 20, 2024 regarding Development Variance Permit DV 6B 23 – 1891 Vera Drive (Kneeland/Dunsmore) to reduce the required minimum side yard setback for an existing single detached dwelling from 3.5 metres to 2.88 metres with a roof overhang of 2.24 metres from the lot line be received. [Item] | ||||||
| 208 and 213 | Carried | |||||
| S. Pawluk, Planner II, provided an overview of the report regarding Development Variance Permit DV 6B 23 – 1891 Vera Drive (Kneeland/Dunsmore).
Kai Kneeland, applicant, was in attendance. | ||||||
| D. Arbour/R. Hardy: THAT the correspondence from Clint Mowbray, adjacent neighbour, dated February 24, 2024 under the addendum regarding Development Variance Permit DV 6B 23 – 1891 Vera Drive (Kneeland/Dunsmore) be received. [Item] | ||||||
| 208 and 213 | Carried | |||||
| The Chair called for any members of the public that may wish to speak regarding Development Variance Permit application DV 6B 23 – 1891 Vera Drive (Kneeland/Dunsmore). There were no speakers. | ||||||
| D. Arbour/R. Hardy: THAT Development Variance Permit DV 6B 23 (Kneeland/Dunsmore) be approved to reduce the minimum side yard setback from 3.5 metres to 2.88 metres for an existing single detached dwelling on property described as Lot 1, Block 29, Comox District, Plan VIP78018, PID 026-127-725 (1891 Vera Drive);
AND FINALLY THAT the Corporate Legislative Officer be authorized to execute the permit. | ||||||
| 208 and 213 | Carried | |||||
| ELECTORAL AREA C - APPLICATION FOR SITE SPECIFIC FLOODPLAIN SPECIFICATIONS 3736 JAMES CRESCENT – (GIESE) | ||||||
| D. Arbour/R. Hardy: THAT the report dated February 16, 2024 regarding a site-specific exemption from the Floodplain Management Bylaw that would allow construction of a dwelling within 60 metres of the Oyster River on the property located at 3736 James Crescent be received. [Item] | ||||||
| 208 and 213 | Carried | |||||
| J. MacLean, Senior Planner, provided an overview of the report regarding a site-specific exemption from the Floodplain Management Bylaw that would allow construction of a dwelling within 60 metres of the Oyster River on the property located at 3736 James Crescent.
Jennifer Giese, applicant, was in attendance. | ||||||
| D. Arbour/R. Hardy: THAT the application made under section 403 of Bylaw No. 600, being the “Floodplain Management Bylaw No. 600, 2020,” be approved for the construction of a house on the property described as Lot 41, Block 29, Comox District, Plan 28503, PID 002-329-930 (3736 James Crescent);
AND FINALLY THAT as a condition of the approval the property owners, at their expense, prepare and register a restrictive covenant under Section 219 of the Land Title Act in favour of the Comox Valley Regional District, specifying conditions that would enable the land to be safely used for the use intended according to the terms of the engineer report prepared by Emma Rose, EIT, and Alex McBride, P.Eng., of McElhanney, dated November 6, 2023, which will form part of the restrictive covenant, as well as an acknowledgement that no Disaster Financial Assistance funding is available for the building or its contents and releasing and indemnifying the Comox Valley Regional District from liability in the event any damage is caused by flooding or erosion. | ||||||
| 208 and 213 | Carried | |||||
| ELECTORAL AREA B - SITE SPECIFIC FLOODPLAIN SETBACK LOT 16 ANDREW AVENUE (HUMENNY) | ||||||
| D. Arbour/R. Hardy: THAT the report dated February 22, 2024 regarding a site-specific building setback relative to the prescribed floodplain setback requirements outlined in the Floodplain Management Bylaw No. 600, being the “Floodplain Management Bylaw No. 600, 2020” for a proposed single detached dwelling and carriage house be received. [Item] | ||||||
| 208 and 213 | Carried | |||||
| S. Pawluk, Planner II, provided an overview of the report regarding a site-specific building setback relative to the prescribed floodplain setback requirements outlined in the Floodplain Management Bylaw No. 600, being the “Floodplain Management Bylaw No. 600, 2020” for a proposed single detached dwelling and carriage house.
Kelvin Humenny, applicant, was in attendance. | ||||||
| D. Arbour/R. Hardy: THAT a site-specific engineer’s prescription for the siting of a proposed single detached dwelling and carriage house relative to the 2100-year floodplain setback of Bylaw No. 600, being the “Floodplain Management Bylaw No. 600, 2020,” be approved on the property described as Lot 16, District Lot 191, Comox District, Plan 14276, PID 004-402-375;
AND FINALLY THAT, as a condition of the engineer’s site specific floodplain setback, the property owners, at their own expense, register a restrictive covenant under Section 219 of the Land Title Act, specifying conditions that would enable the land to be safely used for the use intended according to the terms of the engineer report prepared by Alex McBride, P.Eng., of McElhanney Ltd., dated September 6, 2023, which will form part of the restrictive covenant, as well as an acknowledgement that no Disaster Financial Assistance funding is available for the building or its contents and releasing and indemnifying the Comox Valley Regional District from liability in the event any damage is caused by flooding or erosion. | ||||||
| 208 and 213 | Carried | |||||
| TOWN OF COMOX REFERRAL - 1966 GUTHRIE ROAD | ||||||
| D. Arbour/R. Hardy: THAT the report dated January 31, 2024 regarding a Town of Comox referral on a proposed Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw amendment for a multi-unit residential/commercial development that is adjacent to Area B be received. [Item] | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| D. Thiessen, Planner 1 - Long Range, provided an overview of the report regarding Town of Comox referral on a proposed Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw amendment for a multi-unit residential/commercial development that is adjacent to Area B. | ||||||
| D. Arbour/R. Hardy: THAT this staff report, dated January 31, 2024, be provided to the Town of Comox in response to a referral relating to a proposed mixed-use, multi-residential development at Lot A, Section 77, Comox District, Plan 86498, PID 027-869-067 (1966 Guthrie Road). | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| 2024-2028 FINANCIAL PLAN | ||||||
| L. Wiwcharuk, Chief Financial Officer, provided an update on the 2024-2028 financial planning process.
All the financial planning information can be accessed through the following link: www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/currentbudget. | ||||||
| 2024-2028 FINANCIAL PLAN FOLLOW-UP | ||||||
| D. Arbour/R. Hardy: THAT the report dated February 21, 2024 regarding additional information as requested during recent budget deliberations be received. [Item] | ||||||
| 208 | ||||||
| L. Wiwcharuk, Chief Financial Officer, K. La Rose, Senior Manager of Water/Wastewater Services, and M. Harrison, Manager of Parks, presented information regarding additional information as requested during recent budget deliberations. [Item] | ||||||
| D. Arbour/R. Hardy: THAT the following Community Works funding allocations be approved:
a. Project 1147 Masters Park in the amount of $50,000; b. Mottishaw Greenway in the amount of $30,000; c. Project 1148 Union Bay Playground in the amount of $175,000; d. Project 1175 Graham Lake Water Treatment Plant in the amount of $300,000. | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| D. Arbour/R. Hardy: THAT the proposed 2024-2028 financial plan for function 310 Graham Lake Water Local Service Area and 307 Denman Island Water Local Water Service Area, be approved including the addition of $300,000 in Community Works Funds. | ||||||
| 207 | Carried | |||||
| D. Arbour/R. Hardy: THAT the proposed 2024-2028 financial plan for function 621, Baynes Sound, Electoral Areas B and C Parks and Greenways Service, be amended to include $10,000 in operating funding to support weed control efforts on beach accesses and be amended to replace the $200,000 in Community Works Funding currently applied to the Lazo Greenway capital project with Capital Works Reserve funding. | ||||||
| 209 | Carried | |||||
| D. Arbour/R. Hardy: THAT the proposed 2024-2028 financial plan for function 621, Baynes Sound, Electoral Areas B and C Parks and Greenways Service, be approved with the inclusion of a future reserve allocation of $90,000 to the Union Bay Playground, pending more detailed cost estimates. | ||||||
| 209 | Carried | |||||
| The committee recessed at 11:02 am and reconvened at 11:10 am. | ||||||
| PROPOSED DRAFT ELECTORAL AREAS BUILDING BYLAW NO. 681 | ||||||
| D. Arbour/R. Hardy: THAT the report dated February 20, 2024 regarding a new building bylaw be received. [Item] | ||||||
| 209 | Carried | |||||
| J. Crockford, Manager of Building Inspection, presented information regarding a new building bylaw. [Item] | ||||||
| D. Arbour/R. Hardy: THAT Bylaw No. 681 being, “Comox Valley Regional District Building Bylaw No. 681, 2024”, (Appendix A), be considered for first, second, and third readings;
AND FURTHER THAT staff prepare the necessary amendments to Bylaw No. 104 being “Comox Valley Regional District Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 104, 2010” and Bylaw No. 679 being “Comox Valley Regional District Bylaw Adjudication Ticketing Bylaw No. 679, 2021” to include the Building Bylaw as outlined in the staff report dated February 20, 2024. | ||||||
| 209 | Carried | |||||
| INTRODUCTION TO ZERO CARBON STEP CODE | ||||||
| D. Arbour/R. Hardy: THAT the report dated February 20, 2024 regarding information on the Zero Carbon Step Code be received. [Item] | ||||||
| 209 | ||||||
| J. Crockford, Manager of Building Inspection, presented information regarding the Zero Carbon Step Code. [Item] | ||||||
| D. Arbour/R. Hardy: THAT staff be directed to report back with a proposal to adopt the Zero Carbon Step Code with phased implementation. | ||||||
| 209 | Carried | |||||
| 2023 ELECTORAL AREA ENGAGEMENT SUMMARY AND PROPOSAL FOR 2024 | ||||||
| D. Arbour/R. Hardy: THAT the report dated February 14, 2024 regarding a summary of the 2023 Electoral Area Engagement activities and proposed direction for 2024 be received. [Item] | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| J. Steel, Manager of Communications and Engagement, presented information regarding the 2023 Electoral Area Engagement activities and proposed direction for 2024. [Item] | ||||||
| D. Arbour/R. Hardy: THAT the 2024 Electoral Area Engagement Strategy include an in-person session and hard copy newsletters that are directly distributed to area residents, as outlined in the staff report dated February 14, 2024. | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| COMMUNITY PARKS AND GREENWAYS ANALYSIS | ||||||
| D. Arbour/R. Hardy: THAT the report dated February 14, 2024 regarding an analysis of the Baynes Sound portion of Electoral Area A, B and C Parks and Greenways Service, function 621 be received. [Item] | ||||||
| 209 | ||||||
| M. Hart, Parks Planner, provided an overview of an analysis of the Baynes Sound portion of Electoral Area A, B and C Parks and Greenways Service, function 621. [Item] | ||||||
| D. Arbour/R. Hardy: THAT the Community Parks and Greenways Analysis report dated February 26, 2024 be amended to include the contributions table presented at the February 26, 2024 Electoral Areas Services Committee as well as a table outlining the community amenity contributions made to the service over the analysis period. | ||||||
| 209 | Carried | |||||
| UNION BAY WATER LOCAL SERVICE AREA – WATER TOLLS AND OTHER CHARGES BYLAW AMENDMENT | ||||||
| D. Arbour/R. Hardy: THAT the report dated February 7, 2024 regarding steps to correct an error with the consumption values for the residential billing tiers within the Union Bay Water Tolls and Other Charges Bylaw 278 be received. [Item] | ||||||
| 207 | Carried | |||||
| Z. Berkey, Senior Engineering Analyst, provided an overview of the report regarding steps to correct an error with the consumption values for the residential billing tiers within the Union Bay Water Tolls and Other Charges Bylaw 278 . | ||||||
| D. Arbour/R. Hardy: THAT the board give readings to Bylaw No. 818 being “Union Bay Water Tolls and Other Charges Bylaw 278, 2020, Amendment No. 8” attached to the report dated February 7, 2024, as Appendix A. | ||||||
| 207 | Carried | |||||
| UNION BAY WATER LOCAL SERVICE AREA – DEVELOPMENT COST CHARGE STUDY | ||||||
| D. Arbour/R. Hardy: THAT the report dated February 12, 2024 regarding the implementation of a Development Cost Charge study for the Union Bay Water Local Service Area be received. [Item] | ||||||
| 207 | Carried | |||||
| Z.Berkey, Senior Engineering Analyst, provided an overview of the report regarding the implementation of a Development Cost Charge study for the Union Bay Water Local Service Area. | ||||||
| D. Arbour/R. Hardy: THAT staff be directed to complete a Development Cost Charge study for the Union Bay Water Local Service Area. | ||||||
| 207 | Carried | |||||
| SEWER EXTENSION SOUTH – COMOX VALLEY SEWER SERVICE AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT COST CHARGES | ||||||
| D. Arbour/R. Hardy: THAT the report dated February 21, 2024 regarding a request to the Sewage Commission to maintain Capital Improvement Cost Charges at current rates for existing developed neighborhoods in the Sewer Extension South service area be received. [Item] | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| V. Van Tongeren, Environmental Analyst, provided an overview of the report regarding a request to the Sewage Commission to maintain Capital Improvement Cost Charges at current rates for existing developed neighborhoods in the Sewer Extension South service area. | ||||||
| D. Arbour/R. Hardy: THAT the Comox Valley Sewage Commission be requested, during future amendments to Bylaw No. 3008 being the “Comox Valley Sewerage Service Capital Improvement Cost Charge Bylaw No. 3008, 2007,” that existing developed neighborhoods in the Sewer Extension South expansion area be considered “in-stream boundary extensions” with applicable Capital Improvement Cost Charges maintained at the amounts currently set in Schedule A of said bylaw. | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| IN-CAMERA: | ||||||
| D. Arbour/R. Hardy: THAT the committee adjourn to an in-camera session pursuant to the following sub-sections of section 90 of the Community Charter:
90(1)(i) The receipt of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose; and 90(1)(k) Negotiations and related discussions respecting the proposed provision of a regional district service that are at their preliminary stages and that, in the view of the committee/board, could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the regional district if they were held in public. | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| Time: 12:10 pm | ||||||
| RISE AND REPORT: | ||||||
| The committee rose from its in-camera session at 1:30 pm. | ||||||
| TERMINATION: | ||||||
| D. Arbour/R. Hardy: THAT the meeting terminate. | ||||||
| 208 | Carried | |||||
| Time: 1:30 pm. | ||||||
| Confirmed by: ____________________________________ Edwin Grieve Chair | |
| Certified Correct: ____________________________________ Lisa Dennis Manager of Legislative Services | |
| Recorded By: ____________________________________ Antoinette Baldwin Legislative Services Assistant These minutes were received by the Comox Valley Regional District Board on the ______ day of March, 2024. |