September 2019: Regional District Update

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

Note from Chair Rainbow: I commented a couple of months ago that we would soon be making a positive announcement regarding transit service in the Sea to Sky corridor and I have had a number of questions lately for an update. Unfortunately, we have hit a road block. Elected officials and staff from the Sea to Sky municipalities and the Regional District have worked hard to present a proposal to the Provincial Government but it has been rejected. Our proposed funding model was made up from the Provincial share, the fares collected, and a levy on gasoline sales in the Sea to Sky corridor. One of the reasons we like this is because it captures a contribution to our transit service from the many out of region cars that use Highway 99 and buy gas here. The Province’s option is for us to use property taxes which we strongly oppose. We are currently at an impasse but we will continue to push for a reasonable solution.

Electoral Area A Director

SLRD Electoral Area A Director Courchesne resigned in September. Pursuant to legislation, Electoral Area A Alternate Director Steven Oakley will fill the position of Electoral Area A Director until the commencement of a by-election for the position, which will take place in the next few months.

Orange Shirt Day

The SLRD Board proclaimed September 30, 2019 as “Orange Shirt Day” in the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, as a day to acknowledge the harm caused to Indigenous Peoples by Canada’s residential school system, to witness and honour the healing journey of survivors and their families, to remember those who did not survive and to reaffirm the SLRD’s commitment to the ongoing process of reconciliation.

Northern Economic Development & Initiatives Committee

The SLRD Electoral Area A Alternate Director, the SLRD Electoral Area B Alternate Director and the District of Lillooet Alternate Director were appointed to the Northern Economic Development & Initiatives Committee. 

BYLAWS

The following bylaws were adopted:

• Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Seton Portage/Shalalth Fire Protection Financial Contribution Service Establishing Bylaw No. 480, 1992, Amendment Bylaw No. 1641-2019 to align the Seton Portage/Shalalth Fire Protection Local Service Area Establishment Bylaw No. 480, 1992 with the service delivery method that is currently in place in the community of Seton Portage/Shalalth (which is a service being operated via financial contribution to a third-party organization).
• Squamish-Lillooet Regional District 2018- 2022 Financial Plan Bylaw No. 1576-2018, Amendment Bylaw No. 1651-2019 for amendments to the 2018 budget.
• Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Electoral Area C Zoning Bylaw No. 765, 2002, Amendment Bylaw No. 1637-2019 to allow for a pension to accommodate 20 guests in 10 rooms plus an auxiliary unit for staff accommodations in the WedgeWoods Subdivision. 

Squamish-Lillooet Regional District WedgeWoods Estates Fire Protection Contribution Service Establishing Bylaw No. 1646-2019 for fire protection services in the WedgeWoods neighborhood was given third reading and forwarded to the Inspector of Municipalities for approval. Upon approval by the Inspector, a petition to approve the bylaw will be circulated to WedgeWoods residents for their consideration.

Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Electoral Area D Zoning Bylaw No. 1350-2016, Amendment Bylaw No. 1650-2019 to amend the bylaw for a housekeeping discrepancy was introduced, read a first time and second time, and a public hearing was waived.

Pemberton Valley Emergency Management Committee

The SLRD appointed Area C Director Mack, CAO Flynn and Emergency Program Manager Morgan to the newly formed "Pemberton Valley Emergency Management Committee", a subcommittee of the Nuk̓w7ántwal̓ Intergovernmental Relations Committee, with Emergency Management Technician Fusca appointed as a staff alternate.

Blackcomb Helicopters Heli-Biking Tenure Application and the Pemberton Creek Watershed Management Plan

A letter will be sent to Blackcomb Helicopters, with a copy to the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, to advise that the SLRD is not supportive of trails / recreational activities within the Pemberton Creek Watershed and that such trails be removed from Blackcomb Helicopter Ltd.’s Crown Land Tenure application for a 10 to 30-year Licence of Occupation Tenure for adventure tourism regarding heli-biking.

Environmental Assessment Reviewable Projects Regulation Proposed Amendments

The SLRD will submit its comments and recommendations regarding the Province’s Intentions Paper for the Reviewable Projects Regulation.

Letter to Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy - Feedback on the Clean BC Plastics Action Plan

The SLRD will sign the District of Squamish letter giving feedback, and participate in the survey being undertaken by the BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, with respect to the Clean BC Plastics Action Plan - Policy Consultation Paper.

ALC Non-Adhering Residential Use Application #59453 (Milstein, Area C)

The Board supported ALC Non-Adhering Residential Use Application #59453 (Milstein, Area C) to temporarily relocate an existing single-family dwelling on the property while a new home is constructed on the same building site.

Comprehensive Development Permit No. 160 - Britannia Oceanfront Developments Corporation Residential Units

The Board authorized the issuance of Comprehensive Development Permit No. 160 with respect to the residential construction proposed for the Britannia Oceanfront Developments Corporation project at Britannia Beach.

Community Resilience Investment Grant Funding Opportunity - 2019/2020

A letter will be sent to the Provincial Government requesting reconsideration of how it dispenses funding for FireSmarting activities, especially for rural communities. The SLRD will make applications to the 2019 Union of BC Municipalities Community Resilience Initiative program for up to $150,000 for development related activities, FireSmart related activities and training in 2020.

Commemorative Bench Riverside Wetlands Ském’em Community Park

A commemorative bench in honour of the late Riva Fisher donated by Hugh Fisher and Hillary Downing, will be placed in the Riverside Wetlands Ském’em Community Park in Area C, near Pemberton.

GRANTS IN AID

The following was granted from Area C Community Works Gas Tax / Area C Amenity Funds:

• $33,175 to the Pemberton Meadows Fire Association towards 2019 operational expenses.

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

• $1,326.16 to the Pemberton & District Public Library for room rental of the Pemberton & District Community Centre for the Library’s Oktoberfest event - a fundraising drive to enable the Library to continue to work towards their capital improvement goals for the physical library space including new lounge furniture, sound dampening, an indoor drop box and to update the Library’s audio-visual equipment.

The following were granted from Area A Select Funds:

• $3,583 to the Bridge River Valley Community Association, on behalf of its Economic Development Committee, for the reproduction and printing of 2,000 copies of their Bridge River Valley Visitor Guide.
• $2,500 to the Bridge River Valley Community Association, on behalf of its Economic Development Committee, towards meals, accommodations, and transportation for the two-day / overnight event to support their Relationship Building Get-together with the St’at’imc Nation planned to be held in September at Tyax Lodge.

The following were granted from Area B Select Funds:

• $1,500 to the Lillooet Pound Dogs to cover costs oftheir 26th Annual Arts and Craft Fair on Sunday, November 17, 2019 to raise funds for the medical needs of dogs and cats.
• $1,000 to the Lillooet Agriculture & Food Society, on behalf of Lillooet Food Matters, Lillooet Naturalist’s Society and the Sekw’el’was Band, towards participation fees for their 2½ day mushroom growing workshop at the end of August 2019.
• $500 for Lillooet’s Emergency Management Program. The following were granted from Area C Select Funds:
• $1,666.66 (1/3 of $5,000 requested) to Dr. Steve Quane (Geology Professor) & Mason Pitchel (Student) of Quest University Canada, towards the costs of system deployment (i.e., helicopter and logistical support) to ensure proper calibration and safe deployment and maintenance in regards to the implementation of the first rendition of a seismic monitoring system at the Mount Meager Volcanic Complex.
• $189 to the Birken Recreation & Cultural Society (BRCS) for Commercial Liability Insurance requirements with respect to booking the Gates Lake Community Park for the BRCS Community Farmer's Market and other activities.

The following were granted from Area D Select Funds:

• $2,764 towards landscaping at Furry Creek.
• $1,000 towards facility rental fees for the Britannia Beach Community meeting on September 19, 2019 and the Furry Creek Community Meeting on October 2, 2019.