In a tie vote, the bylaw that would restrict medical marijuana production for multiple users to industrial areas in Sechelt was defeated at the June 20 council meeting.
After amending the wording of the bylaw to include lands within the agricultural land reserve as permitted areas for production, councillors Alice Lutes, Darnelda Siegers and Doug Hockley voted in favour of it, while Mike Shanks, Chris Moore and Mayor John Henderson voted against it. Coun. Tom Lamb excused himself from the vote stating a perceived bias.
Rules state that in a tie vote the motion is defeated.
Moore explained his reasons for voting against.
"Fundamentally for me the whole thing is going to be, I think, challenged in court and I really don't think we've spent enough time," he said. "This was precipitated by one application to conform to a certain use, that's what initiated this bylaw, and I don't think that in itself is sufficient to climb into this bed right now."
Wineries
In a unanimous vote, council passed the bylaw that adds winery as a permitted use in RR-1 and RR-2 zones Wednesday night.
The bylaw drew little opposition at an earlier public hearing.
"As was commented at the public hearing, I think this is a step in the right direction by council in blanket zoning so that we don't have to do this spot zoning based on applications," Siegers said.
RCMP contract
Council agreed to sign the new RCMP contract Wednesday night, with some protest.
"I don't see that we have an alternative but to sign this agreement, even though we don't know the ultimate cost to us as a jurisdiction. We've basically been given an ultimatum," Siegers said. "We have to sign or it's going to cost us more is basically what it's come down to, so I don't think we have an option at this point."
Batch plant
Council agreed to a restrictive covenant for the concrete batch plant proposed by Stockwell Sand and Gravel.
Lamb, who has had some concern over the application, made some changes to the covenant before voting in favour of it.
He added that the facility must comply with the concrete and concrete products code of practice and that the engineer who designs the plant must sign off on it.
When the vote was called to allow the District to enter into the restrictive covenant, all were in favour. Shanks and Henderson excused themselves from the vote stating a perceived bias.
Once the covenant is signed, the official community plan and zoning amendments needed to allow the concrete plant will come before council for consideration of adoption.
Target Marine
Council is attempting to cross all the T's and dot all the I's in the Target Marine Hatcheries application to cultivate sturgeon for caviar on site. The application has been before three different councils and has been passed twice, only to be challenged in court and the bylaws quashed.
On Wednesday night, council gave consideration to consultation and whether enough has been done.
"After all the reports we've had on consultation associated with the Target bylaws, it seems almost redundant, but our lawyers advise that we should have a report to have council confirm that sufficient steps were taken for early and ongoing consultation," director of development services Ray Parfitt told council.
Council agreed that much consultation has been done, including recently extending a special opportunity for the residents of Tillicum Bay to comment.
"Given that this has been going on for a number of years, it was advertised extensively prior to the last election and there have been numerous public hearings on this, I think everybody's had sufficient and ample opportunity to respond to this and they'll have another opportunity at the next public hearing," Siegers said.
"So I believe as a council we have done everything required under the act."
Golf course
Minutes of the May 3 golf course advisory committee were received by council, which show a new incorporated company has been set up to take care of golf course operations.
Sechelt Recreation Service has been created to take on the task in a way similar to how Sechelt Community Projects Inc. operates the Sunshine Coast Community Forest.
The report showed revenues of $43,000 at the golf course in April with expenditures of about $8,000 for restaurant equipment and $12,000 for furniture. It signalled undisclosed expenditures as well, with 26 new carts for the course and new maintenance equipment, expected to arrive shortly.
The committee has also been reviewing new logo concepts for the golf course that was taken over by the District in January.
