October 2019: Regional District Update

Below is a summary of the decisions made at the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Board and Committee meetings in October, 2019. (Download a pdf of this update).

Note from Chair Rainbow: Our Board meeting for October was held at the Furry Creek Golf Club, the first time this term that we have had a meeting other than in the Pemberton and Whistler area. The meeting was on Wednesday October 23rd and immediately after the Board meeting, we held a Town Hall meeting open to all residents. This was a lively session touching on various subjects including bear awareness, fire safety and development in the area. On Thursday, instead of a Committee of the Whole meeting, Board members enjoyed tours of sites that will feature in upcoming Board meetings. These included a look at some of the places in Furry Creek that could be developed; a look at the model of the McDonald development at Britannia Beach and a walk around the housing site; and a tour of the WLNG site to review the remediation project underway. We also had a walking tour from a District of Squamish planner about Squamish’s development around the Blind Channel. Next Spring, we plan to hold a meeting in the northern part of the region in the Lillooet area: this is one way that we try to be more accessible to residents around the region. It is also a way for Directors to get a close look at parts of the Regional District far from their own areas.

By-election for Electoral Area A Director

The appointment of the Chief Election Officer for the by-election of the Electoral Area A Director will be considered at the SLRD Board meeting on November 27, 2019.

SLRD Hazard Policy

The SLRD’s Natural Hazards Policy No. 7.5 was amended to reflect the current practice that where construction is proposed to occur in hazard areas, the SLRD Building Inspector has the discretion pursuant to the Local Government Act and the Community Charter to require the following items prior to the issuance of a building permit:

• a site-specific geotechnical report ensuring that the site is safe for the use intended; and
• a Save Harmless Covenant to be registered against title to the property.

Structural Flood Mitigation Funding Opportunity

An application was submitted to the Union of BC Municipalities’ Community Emergency Preparedness Fund – Structural Flood Mitigation funding stream for $750,000 for the following two flood risk mitigation projects in the Pemberton Valley:

• Lillooet River sediment removal lower reach 60,000m3: estimated at $650,000
• Installation of landslide monitoring system on Mount Currie: estimated at $100,000 Letters of support will be provided to the Village of Pemberton and the Líl’wat Nation to accompany their grant applications, endorsing the coordinated jurisdictional approach to flood hazard mitigation in the Pemberton Valley with Líl’wat Nation, the Village of Pemberton and the Pemberton Valley Dyking District.

BYLAWS

The following bylaws were adopted:

• Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Regional Growth Strategy Bylaw No. 1062, 2008, Amendment Bylaw No. 1562. This bylaw updates the Regional Growth Strategy for various items as per the legislated 5-year review.
• Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Procedure Bylaw No. 1499-2016, Amendment Bylaw No. 1653-2019 to amend the physical quorum requirements for the Northern Economic Development & Initiatives Committee.
• Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Electoral Area C Zoning Bylaw No. 765, 2002, Amendment Bylaw No. 1649-2019 to clarify regulations around auxiliary/accessory buildings in the WedgeWoods subdivision was introduced and given first reading, and will be sent out for referrals.

Resort Municipality of Whistler Context Statement - Regional Growth Strategy

The SLRD accepted the Resort Municipality of Whistler Regional Context Statement, as a component of the Regional Growth Strategy.

Abolfathi, Squamish Valley (Electoral Area D) Non-Farm Use Application

Support for the Abolfathi, Squamish Valley (Electoral Area D) Non-Farm Use Application #57587 regarding the relocation of the campground on site was granted and the application forwarded to the Agricultural Land Commission for consideration.

McLeod and Ayers, Area C, ALC Subdivision Application

The SLRD took no position regarding ALC Subdivision Application #59633 (McLeod and Ayers, Area C) to subdivide a parcel of land into 2, and forwarded the application to the Agricultural Land Commission for consideration.

LETTER OF SUPPORT / ENDORSEMENT

The Lillooet Agriculture & Food Society (LAFS) application to the Victoria Foundation - Food Security Provincial Initiatives Fund was endorsed by the SLRD for $250,000 in funding for the development and design of a Community Food Hub (i.e. multi-functional commercial space). If the application is successful, the SLRD will enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with LAFS for the SLRD to receive and manage the funds.

GRANTS IN AID

The following was granted from Area B Northern Area BC Hydro Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILT) Fund:

• $2,500 for the SLRD to supply and install a bear proof metal garbage bin with a concrete base at the Seton Portage Fire Hall.

The following was granted from the Pemberton and District Community Fund:

• $2,471.71 to the Pemberton Children's Centre for hall, kitchen, tables and chairs rental at the Pemberton & District Community Centre, insurance fees and decor for their annual Christmas Bazaar fundraising event with funds raised to go to support activities and equipment within the centre.

The following was granted from Area A Select Funds:

• Up to $500 per month for a maximum period of 4 months (total of $2,000) to the Gold Bridge Community Club to continue providing the monthly seniors’ lunches.

The following were granted from Area B Select Funds:

• $1,500 to the Royal Canadian Legion - Branch 66 (Lillooet) towards the purchase of new chairs and an ice machine for the Lillooet Legion facility
• $200 toward meeting costs for a community meeting on Pavilion Lake concerns.

The following were granted from Area C Select Funds:

• $2,000 to the Village of Pemberton towards the purchase of fireworks for the 2019 Hallowe'en night fireworks festivities in the Village of Pemberton.
• $1,000 to the N'Quatqua Band in the form of a donation towards their youth outdoor rink fundraiser to support their growing youth needs.