Rats, compost, taxes on Summerland agenda
SUMMERLAND — Rats, compost and taxes figure prominently in this evening’s meeting of Summerland council.
Robyn Hutchings will present the results of her research on rats, including observations within Summerland, rat biology and public health importance.
The staff recommendation that the regional district be granted authority to access the Summerland landfill in order to carry out technical studies related to the proposed regional compost facility and that staff be authorized to execute an access agreement will come before council.
Staff are also recommending that council direct them to develop a comprehensive public consultation strategy regarding the proposal to locate the regional compost facility in Summerland.
Director of finance David Svetlichny will present his report on the permissive tax exemptions for places of worship, private schools and hospitals for 2018 and will recommend that no new applications for exemptions in 2018 be accepted.
Svetlichny will report on the district’s financial status for the six month period ending June 30.
Staff recommend first, second and third reading be given to the responsible dog owner bylaw as well as bylaw amendments regarding related ticketing and fees and charges.
“Many municipalities have moved toward a ‘responsible dog owner’ model of bylaw that recognizes the key role that dog owners play,” chief administrative officer Linda Tynan wrote in her memorandum to council.
A public hearing on the proposed change in land use designation for 5418 Nixon Road will be held early in the meeting.
The property owners have applied to change the designation from agricultural to low density residential and to rezone the property from agricultural small acreage zone to residential medium lot zone in order to allow for a 22-lot residential subdivision.
Immediately following the public hearing Bobby Bovenzi will speak on the mission of B.C. Culture Days.
Staff recommend that the request for a grant from the Culture Days organizers be denied.
Director of development services will present a report on the proposed Banks Crescent development.
Included in his report is the resolution that staff be directed to schedule a public hearing on the development as soon as possible at a time and date when suitable facilities are available and statutory notification requirements can be met.
Eight additional pages of signatures on the petition opposing the Banks Crescent development will be presented to council.
Staff recommend approval of a development variance permit application to reduce front yard setbacks at 10605 Cedar Avenue to allow for the construction of a single family dwelling on two strata lots in the same format as the existing homes within the strata.
Staff also recommend approval of a variance permit application to reduce the required rear yard setback by 3.5m to allow for an additional to an existing single detached house.
Director of works and utilities Kris Johnson will submit his report on the Prairie Valley substation switch upgrades and power outage.
Council will consider four staff recommendations beginning with receiving the report that a beer garden be allowed during the home games at the arena complex of the Summerland Steam junior B hockey team.
Staff also recommend that council endorse the David Suzuki Foundation Blue Dot Movement Declaration and encourage the RDOS to rejoin the B.C. Wood Stove Exchange Program.
The fourth recommendation is that the district commit to participating in the “Climate Adaptation Planning Support for Okanagan Communities Project’ being proposed by the Okanagan Water Basin Board.
The public is welcome to attend the meeting which begins at 7 p.m. at the Municipal Hall, 13211 Henry Avenue.