The District of Sechelt is investigating ways to allow the keeping of bees, chickens and rabbits at residences in an effort to help locals provide for themselves. The direction came from council at their March 13 committee of the whole meeting in response to a letter from Jim and Erica Kay.
The Kays asked council to investigate the possibility as part of the bylaw review they are currently undertaking.
"Our family is looking to augment our food by growing and harvesting produce in our gardens. We would especially like to have hens for producing eggs and rabbits for manure," they wrote, adding that raising honeybees is another option they'd like to have.
"I need to speak very strongly in favour of this," said Coun. Alice Lutes.
She explained that at a recent child poverty forum she heard that 12 per cent of Sechelt's children live in poverty.
"Something as simple as this, allowing them to produce food on a lot in Sechelt, could make a difference, so I really hope we can do something to accommodate that," she said.
All were in favour of having staff look into the possibility to make recommendations to council at a future meeting.
Release of info
Council released more than 100 pages of minutes from the wastewater treatment facility project steering committee as part of their March 20 regular council meeting agenda. The steering committee minutes covered 16 meetings between Nov. 18, 2011 and Dec. 11, 2012.
The released documents also included a selection of in-camera resolutions pertaining to the wastewater treatment facility that occurred between Feb. 15, 2012 and March 13, 2013.
All of the released documents can be read on the District of Sechelt website at www.sechelt.ca.
Email policy
Coun. Darnelda Siegers asked staff to craft a policy around the acceptance and distribution of material submitted and emailed to council by the public.
"We don't have a policy in place for consistency with all correspondence," Siegers said.
All were in favour of having staff create some guidelines for correspondence.
Drag racing
Members of the Sun-shine Coast Drag Racing Association (SCDRA) were concerned they may not be allowed to operate the drag races at the airport in light of the planned expansions, but the group was given the nod of approval March 20.
Director of planning Ray Parfitt said the airport advisory committee had a recommendation to approve the SCDRA's events coming to the next council meeting for adoption.
"Could I suggest that a letter go back to the association letting them know what the status is, but I also think we should thank them for the work they do at the airport and thank them for their involvement in the community with the local high schools. I think it's important that we recognize that work," Lutes said.
Henderson said he would support that.
Fire hall/housing density
Council passed the zoning and bylaw amendments needed to allow the fire hall expansion and change Sechelt's housing density policy on March 20.
Both amendments went through three readings and public hearing without any opposition.
