1) Development Variance Permit Approved
After fulfilling the mandatory notice requirements and providing an opportunity for input from the public, Council approved the issuance of Development Variance Permit (DVP) #201.
DVP #201 legalizes the siting of the existing single detached dwelling and varies the maximum parcel coverage permitted to facilitate the construction of an addition and a sundeck including a side yard walkway only, to the existing single detached dwelling at 1271 – 2nd Avenue.
2) FAR Picnic in the Park Approved
Fernie Alpine Resort (FAR) was given Council approval to hold their annual company picnic in James White Park on Sunday, September 14, 2008. Though Council does not play a direct role in the Special Occasion Liquor Licence approval process for this private event, their permission to use a city park for such an event is required. Liquor service will be restricted to an enclosed 50’ x 50’ area.
3) Taste of Fernie Event Approved
City Council provided its support for the Taste of Fernie Organizing Committee’s two applications for Special Occasion Liquor Licences for Friday, September 12th from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday, September 13, 2008 from 12:00 noon until 10:00 p.m. and granted the Committee permission to use CP Station Square on both days for the purpose of operating an alcoholic beverage garden. Earlier in the meeting Mr. Kevin McIsaac of the Organizing Committee gave Council a brief overview of this year’s event and thanked Council for their support of this annual community event.
4) Proposed Golf Course Bylaw Amendment Applications Approved
City Council approved the applications to amend the City of Fernie Official Community Plan (OCP) and Zoning Bylaws submitted by Mr. Reto Barrington of Glen Park Management as part of the proposed Coal Creek Golf Resort Community development. The approval authorizes staff to prepare the OCP and Zoning amendment bylaws. The OCP is proposed to be amended by designating certain lands recently annexed into the City as Special Policy Area. Other land located east of Pine Avenue and to the north of Whitetail Drive is proposed to be redesignated from Natural Open Space to Special Policy Area, land designated Residential Mixed Density located to the east of Pine Avenue and to the south of Whitetail Drive as well as land located to the south of Castle Mountain Road is proposed to be redesignated to Special Policy Area. In addition, the BC Hydro Transmission line that is designated as Transportation and Utility Corridor is proposed to be relocated north of Coal Creek Road. The proposed OCP amendment also includes some text amendments and revision of some OCP Schedules.
Zoning Bylaw No. 1750 is proposed to be amended to clarify concepts and to define permitted uses of specific areas of the CD-1 – Comprehensive Development One Zone. No dates have yet been set but both proposed Bylaws will be subject to a public hearing prior to third reading. Please watch the City of Fernie page in the Free Press Newspaper and the City’s website for details.
5) Purchase of Max Turyk School Proceeding
Council gave first, second and third reading to Bylaws No. 2081 and No. 2082, both of which are financial bylaws necessary to move the City’s efforts to purchase the Max Turyk School site forward. The City has offered $800,000 to School District No. 5 for the property. The offer to purchase must now be approved by the School District’s Board of Trustees.
In anticipation of that happening, City of Fernie Bylaw No. 2081 amends the Five Year Financial Plan Bylaw to reflect the $800,000 expenditure while Bylaw No. 2082 allows $300,000 from the Land Development Reserve Fund to be withdrawn and put toward the $800,000 purchase. The other $500,000 will come from unallocated operating reserves. If the School District approves the purchase, the facility will be used for a wide variety of community purposes including a much needed childcare facility.
6) Development Cost Charge Bylaw Moves Forward
Council gave first, second and third reading to Development Cost Charge Bylaw No. 2079, 2008 which will replace the existing Development Cost Charge (DCC) Bylaw which was adopted in June, 2004. As a result of increased infrastructure construction costs, developer contributions to DCC reserves were found to be insufficient to fund the portion of planned infrastructure projects deemed by Council to be attributable to development.
DCCs are intended to provide a method to finance growth-related water, sanitary sewer, transportation, storm water and parks capital projects The new Bylaw reflects revised estimates for infrastructure projects based on current construction rates. The Bylaw must receive approval of the Inspector of Municipalities before Council can adopt it. For more information or a copy of the draft Bylaw, please contact Larry Randle, Director of Corporate Administration Services at 423-2231.

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