Crosswalk
A new crosswalk at Highway 101 and Chapman Creek is causing some concern due to its limited visibility, so the district is preparing a plan to fix the problem.
A preliminary design was presented at the Nov. 30 public works, parks and environment committee meeting that called for a “rectangular rapid flashing beacon” to be installed at the crosswalk to ensure pedestrians are seen.
The preliminary design also proposes removing sight-line barriers for westbound vehicles approaching the crosswalk.
As part of the cost sharing agreement for the crosswalk between the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) and the District of Sechelt, the municipality will be responsible for installing proper sidewalks, curbs and gutters in the area as well as providing a wheelchair-accessible paved ramp into Mission Point Park, paved trail access to Brookman Park, widening the paved shoulder to Whitaker Road and widening the pedestrian area near the new flashing beacon.
The preliminary plan needs final design approval and to be accepted by both MOTI and Sechelt, before work can get underway.
Farmers’ Market
Sechelt Farmers’ Market wants to stay in its current location at the end of Cowrie Street near Rock-wood, so members are seeking an agreement renewal with the District of Sechelt.
The current agreement for the farmers’ market location is up in May of next year.
Sechelt Farmers’ Market president John Byrnes said the market has been steadily growing and now boasts 67 vendors most Saturdays between April and September.
He said the market’s popularity is also growing and cited statistics that showed up to 3,000 customers touring the market in a single day.
“Location is a key element of this,” Byrnes said during the Nov. 30 public works, parks and environment committee meeting. “They know where we are and that we will be there rain or shine.”
The market membership believes a change in location would be a detriment. “We ask that this committee recommend to council that the lease be renewed for the three years as stated in the agreement, and furthermore, why not make it five?” Byrnes said.
Coun. Alice Lutes said she liked the location of the market and noted any issues with neighbours around parking and access could be worked out.
She moved that the committee recommend to council that Sechelt enter into negotiations with the Sechelt Farmers’ Market to negotiate the location and term of a new agreement and all were in favour.
The motion was later passed at the Dec. 7 regular council meeting.
Dog Licences
The public can now obtain dog licenses in the District of Sechelt online at my.sechelt.ca.
First-time dog licences can be purchased and older licences can be renewed online with the option of picking up dog tags at the district office or having them sent in the mail.
“This new service is part of the district’s efforts to streamline processes and make dog licensing easier for our residents,” said Mayor Bruce Milne.
All dogs in Sechelt over six months of age are required to be licensed every year by Jan. 31.
In addition to the online option, dogs can be licensed at the district office (5797 Cowrie St.) Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Community Forest
Glen Bonderud of the Sunshine Coast Community Forest reported that not much logging has happened in the third quarter due to waiting on permits to tackle the burned area that was left after the Old Sechelt Mine fire.
“The burn area is what our focus will be next. It’s taken us a long time, almost a year and a half to get the proper permits,” Bonderud said.
“You would think that, being a burn area, the remediation of that area would be top of everybody’s list, but the paperwork still has to be done. We think we’ll be able to get 30,000 metres [of timber from the burned area]. That’s a guesstimate at this stage. How much is actually salable is another question.”
He said it will cost more to log in the area and noted selling the charred timber could be difficult. “We’re looking at decreased sales value [and] probably a decreased recovery because a lot of the stuff wouldn’t be useful and therefore left in the bush.”
RTC
The RTC properties proposal for a 48-unit accessible development on Sechelt’s waterfront that includes buildings from two to six storeys in height, will go to public hearing on Jan. 11 in the District of Sechelt community use room at 7 p.m.
