Habitat
Sechelt council put the brakes on approving a zoning amendment bylaw that will allow building of duplexes to continue at Habitat for Humanity’s property in Wilson Creek.
Council was set to give final approval to the zoning amendment on July 19 but Mayor Bruce Milne said he heard from some in the community that the bylaw was lacking in its permitted uses.
“It’s the only residential area in Sechelt that does not have permitted use of the home business occupation,” Milne said.
Staff said the use was deemed inappropriate due to the absence of traffic lights or proper turn-offs from the highway to the Wilson Creek site, which could cause a traffic problem.
Milne asked staff to change the permitted uses to include home occupation and all were in favour.
With that in mind, council had to rescind third reading and give a new third reading to the zoning amendment bylaw, which will now have to go to the Ministry of Transportation and Highways for comment before council can adopt it.
Milne apologized for holding up the process noting, “I think in the long term [Habitat for Humanity] will be better served.”
Snow
All property owners in Sechelt will have to clear their walks during the next snowfall or face a fine.
On July 19, council gave three readings to a new highway and parking amendment bylaw that requires residential property owners and non-commercial institutions to clear their sidewalks of snow and ice within 24 hours of a snowfall.
It was suggested the change would make Sechelt more accessible and cut down on injuries and accidents related to snow and ice.
Currently the bylaw states only commercial properties in the downtown core must clear their walkways within 24 hours of a snowstorm.
The bylaw is expected to come back for adoption at the next council meeting.
SDBA
After hearing about the Sechelt Downtown Business Association’s (SDBA) concerns with the placement of the Sechelt Farmers’ Market, council chose to reaffirm its letter of agreement with the market without any changes on July 19.
The SDBA had raised concerns with the placement of the market every Saturday at the end of Cowrie Street, saying it blocked a major roadway and was in direct competition with downtown storefront merchants.
Coun. Darnelda Siegers noted it was too late to address those issues now that the agreement had been signed with the Market and she pointed to the renewal in three years as the time to make changes.
“I think this points to the fact that prior to the new agreement coming forward we need to make sure that we get out in front of it with all parties that have any sort of stake in this and make sure that we address all of the concerns,” Siegers said.
