Community Forest
Cutting in the Sunshine Coast Community Forest (SCCF) has resulted in $870,176 in revenue so far this year, according to Glen Bonderud, chair and president of the SCCF.
Bonderud presented second-quarter results for the community forest’s operations to council on Sept. 7.
He said SCCF spent the first quarter logging and the second quarter selling about 7,586 cubic metres of wood, for an average price of $114.71 per cubic metre.
The wood came from the Angus Creek cutblock that was started late last year. Bonderud said SCCF is now looking at moving into a cutblock that was severely damaged by fire during the Old Sechelt Mine fire last year, which will likely result in losses.
SCCF is currently discussing the possibility of being allowed to do “special recovery” in the area and not have the province count it as part of the community forest’s annual allowable cut.
“We’ve had nothing on that yet and that certainly would have to come from Victoria,” Bonderud said.
First readings
Council gave first reading on Sept. 7 to three different projects needing zoning amendments.
The proposals came forward from RTC Properties Ltd., Direct Disposal and Clayton Family Lands Ltd.
RTC Properties Ltd. wants to build a 48-unit multi-level (up to six storey) development on the waterfront in Sechelt.
Direct Disposal wants to subdivide a portion of their property on Sechelt Inlet Road to lease to a storage company.
And Clayton Family Lands Ltd. wants to develop over 40 single-family lots in future phases of the Trail Bay Estates development.
While all three projects were given first reading and referral to a public hearing, RTC Properties has an added stipulation to gather community input before a public hearing is scheduled.
Pub hours
Council is recommending that the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch deny the Lighthouse Pub’s application to open its doors two hours earlier at 9 a.m.
On Sept. 7 councillors voted unanimously to go against the application because it doesn’t fit within existing bylaws that state liquor establishments will not sell alcohol before 10 a.m. in Sechelt.
Derby Road
Lower Derby Road will see more signage in an effort to keep motorists from speeding.
Community members from the area previously asked council to consider some traffic calming measures for the roadway – however, according to staff, more signage was the best option.
Director of engineering and operations services Nikii Hoglund said the road is designated as a collector road and speed bumps are not recommended on collector roads that could be tasked with taking highway traffic from time to time.
Staff recommended the installation of new signage that said “30 km/hr,” “caution, children at play” and “slow,” and council was unanimously in favour.
Car club
The Coasters Car Club has long had a trophy case in the District of Sechelt office, but the display will have to find a new home.
Council decided at its Sept. 7 meeting not to replace the case that was removed during office renovations last year and instead asked staff to find another suitable spot to display it in Sechelt.
Staff said there was no space in the new reception area for the case and Mayor Bruce Milne recommended “that we say no to this situation, with regret.”
All were in favour.
Councillors Mike Shanks and Doug Wright excused themselves from the vote and discussion, citing possible conflict of interest as both are involved with the Coasters Car Club.
