Illegal building
After hearing a couple of applications for development variance permits April 21, Sunshine Coast Regional District directors decided it’s time to look at cracking down on people who build first, and ask for permission later.
Halfmoon Bay director and SCRD chair Garry Nohr told fellow members of the planning and development committee that the issue has come up several times with the Halfmoon Bay Area Planning Commission (APC).
“This is an example of asking forgiveness after the fact, and the concern is that the process wasn’t done right. So I’m suggesting asking for a staff report to look at variances,” he said, adding that it could involve higher application fees, a tighter process and stiffer penalties.
Pender Harbour director Frank Mauro backed the idea. “We did a significant amount of work on this, and then we had some staff changes and it was put in abeyance for a while,” he said. “I think it’s a very important thing. I think we have too many instances of this, many APCs have commented on this and I think we have to move on it.”
The committee forwarded a recommendation that “staff provide a report regarding a change in process for variance applications that request legalization of construction undertaken without appropriate permits; and that a significantly higher penalty for construction without appropriate permits be investigated by the SCRD.” The board’s vote on the recommendation was expected Thursday, April 28.
Ruby Lake
After a decade of fine-tuning and back-and-forth with regional district officials, a rezoning application from Ruby Lake Resort is back on the SCRD agenda.
The resort owners want to have part of District Lot 3988 changed from the current RU5 (Rural Watershed Protection) zoning to C2 (Tourist Commercial). That change would allow a campground on the property. It had been used for one in the past.
The latest version of the application would see 6.6 hectares used for up to 30 detached tent platforms or sleeping units, a motel with up to 12 detached housekeeping units, 30 RV sites, an amphitheatre, a dining hall, spa, aviary, two staff accommodation units, agriculture, and auxiliary uses or buildings like a snack bar, reception desk and office, market kiosks, laundry facilities, a pool, and wildlife viewing areas.
SCRD planning staff say the resort is willing to see a limit of no more than 30 units combined between the tent platforms, RV sites and motel.
Director Frank Mauro of Pender Harbour made the recommendation to move the bylaw to first reading, and send it out for referrals and public consultation. “This [application] has been going on for some time, and it sounds like a new initiative has come forward to further restrict [the use of the land] and ensure this appears to be viable. It’s time to go out to the community and find out what further needs to be done.”
Pest management
Directors at the SCRD are offering their input on Telus’s new Integrated Pest Management Plan.
In a letter to the SCRD, Telus said under the revised plan it will continue to use what it calls “a complete range of integrated vegetation management techniques,” but that their preferred strategy is to avoid treatments that would have any unreasonable negative impact.
The planning and development committee voted April 21 to let Telus know that the SCRD does not generally support the use of herbicides or pesticides and that it would prefer that Telus consider approaches like animal grazing, manual brushing and bark stripping.
Water restrictions
Stage 1 outdoor water use restrictions come into effect May 1 for all SCRD water customers.
Under Stage 1 rules sprinklers, soaker hoses, irrigation systems and other watering devices can be used for outdoor watering as follows:
For even addresses, outdoor watering is allowed Tuesday, Thursday and Sun-day from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. For odd addresses outdoor watering is allowed Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Low flow and low pressure drip irrigation systems are exempt from the watering restrictions, and rain sensors are required on all irrigation systems.
Transit fees
A new transit fare structure also comes into effect May 1.
Starting Sunday, the cash fare will be $2 for all riders, with day passes available for $5.
The cost of a book of 10 tickets is going down to $18 from $20, but discounts are being eliminated.
Monthly passes remain at $60. Discount monthly passes will still be available, with the cost rising from $38 to $42.
