The Rotary Club wants to start selling reflective street number signs, but the current Sechelt sign bylaw doesn’t permit homeowners to use that type of sign.
Laurean Reid of the Rotary Club gave a brief presentation to council on Jan. 16, asking them to consider an amendment or variance that would make the signs legal.
She explained the problematic part of the bylaw is the prohibition on signs covered with “Day-Glo, fluorescent, luminous or reflective paint.”
The signs, which would come in two sizes – six by eight inches and six by 12 inches – and include a small Rotary logo, are designed to work much like road signs, so the white numbers on the blue background would reflect when illuminated by vehicle headlights.
Reid said the community service project has the support of police, the fire department and EHS, who have all drafted letters of support.
Director of planning Tracy Corbett said her department would support a change, which would involve a minor tweak to one line in the bylaw that could be made fairly easily. “That is a common signage that has been used in a lot of regional districts. It makes a huge difference for emergency responders.”
It was also noted by some councillors that delivery drivers would also benefit from the high-visibility number signs.
APC terms of reference
Council approved three readings of a new Advisory Planning Commission (APC) bylaw at the Jan. 16 regular meeting. The changes include a more detailed description of the mandate and spell out more clearly that the APC is strictly an advisory body and final decisions rest with council.
Only one suggestion raised concerns for councillors – the provision that “at least five members of the Advisory Planning Commission shall have the appropriate professional qualifications including, but not limited to, community planning, architecture, landscape architecture, urban design or sustainability.”
Coun. Matt McLean said he felt that might be too restrictive, and director of planning Tracy Corbett suggested changing the wording to “interest or expertise.”
Coun. Alton Toth also proposed another change – adding “accessibility” to the list of areas APC members should have an interest or expertise in.
After disbanding the accessibility advisory committee, Mayor Darnelda Sieger said she felt its role could be performed by the APC.
In the end council settled on “professional qualifications and/or expertise.”
Legacy Fund
Councillors approved all seven of the Community Forest Legacy Fund grant proposals presented at the Jan. 16 meeting for a total of $325,500 for the various projects.
• $35,000 to the Nicholas Sonntag Marine Education Centre for installation of a solar array.
$100,000 to the Sechelt Seniors Activity Centre for their renovation and expansion project.
• $20,000 to Sunshine Coast Baseball Association for a new batting cage.
• $10,000 to the Syiyaya Reconciliation Project for additional funding of their totem carving project.
• $50,000 to the Sunshine Coast Fastball League for safety upgrades at Hackett Park.
• $30,500 to the Sunshine Coast Salmonid Enhancement Society for a well assessment and hydrologic study.
• $80,000 to the Gibsons Marine Rescue Society (RCM-SAR) to acquire and relocate a new boathouse.
