The following are highlights from the June 8 public hearing, council and committee of the whole meetings. For the video from these meetings, visit the District of Hope’s Facebook page.
Council in support of Kawkawa Lake duplex plans
Council heard from Soraya and Doug Duncan, who have plans to build a duplex at 21088 Lakeview Crescent, as well as those opposed to the development at a public hearing Monday, June 8.
The Duncans said the plan is to build a duplex – a single storey with a full basement, ranch style – in line with the style of the neighbourhood. It would be suitable for retirees or first-time family buyers, Doug added.
A petition with 43 signatures, as well as two letters of opposition, were received by council. The petition stated that the rezoning could ‘set a precedent’ for future developers. “This rezoning could result in more rental properties in this area and reduce the homeowner’s control over the appearance of the rezoned property, thereby devaluing our homes in this area,” the petition read.
Soraya countered this assertion - their development would be built to sell, not rent out. Then what the property owner does with such a duplex is up to the owner, she added.
There are also several rental suites in the neighbourhood, Soraya said, including ‘illegal basement suites’ and short-term rentals.
Director of community development Jas Gill confirmed there is one property in the neighbourhood that has gone through the process to legally have a secondary suite in their home.
Some discussion was had around whether the opposition to the development was around misconceptions, first that it would be built to be rented out and second, whether those opposed were under the assumption that the builders were from out of town.
“No we’re not out of town residents, I have lived in Hope particularly in the same neighbourhood that we’re looking to develop in for 49 years,” Soraya said. “In fact, we were the third house in when it was a gravel road pushed into this area through the bush.”
While several councillors mentioned that the developers are local and trusted to build a good product, councillor Heather Stewin emphasized the focus should remain on whether the development fits in the neighbourhood, not who the developer is.
“For me, it’s not about who’s doing a project – because they clearly need to sell it to someone else. It’s whether or not it’s going to fit in that area,” she said. “What I know is it’s an area where there’s rentals. For me, the duplex fitting into that neighbourhood is a good fit. And I also heard the developers say that they would keep it with within the style of the area.”
Councillor Bob Erikson, speaking in favour, said the duplex build would beautify an area that hasn’t been developed for several years.
Council voted in unanimous support of rezoning the property Monday night.
Council takes another stab at solid waste bylaw
Hope’s new solid waste management bylaw will now have more relaxed set out and set back times, after public feedback on the draft bylaw.
Residents will have to set out their carts no earlier than 4:30 a.m. and no later than 7 a.m. If they are set out after 7 a.m. and after Valley Waste has gone by, they won’t be collected until the next scheduled collection day. Residents also have to bring their carts in at the latest 9 p.m. on collection day. Fines of $100 could apply if people set out their carts before 4:30 a.m. or bring them in after 9 p.m. There are no fines if people put their carts out for collection past 7 a.m.
“We’re trying to encourage people not to put the carts out the evening before,” said Kevin Dicken, the district’s director of operations.
While wording was changed around wildlife attractants, under the bylaw residents still have to ensure any attractants on their property are not accessible to wildlife.
The bylaw will go to a future council meeting for readings and adoption.
Dicken said the district is looking to test out wildlife-resistant locks for carts – a metal clasp that goes over the cart’s lid – a design pioneered by Port Coquitlam.
Blue Moose, Sharron’s Deli to extend patios
Two Wallace Street businesses will be extending their patios slightly onto the sidewalk, to allow for increased capacity during physical distancing requirements due to COVID-19. The businesses who expressed interest - the Blue Moose Coffee House and Sharron’s Deli - now need to submit applications to the district, at no cost, to do the extension said chief administrative officer John Fortoloczky.
“For council, this would be an excellent trial balloon, to further develop potentially something more formal,” he said. In the future, this could include other businesses expanding their patios and retail merchants who want things like sidewalk sales.
For businesses who plan to serve alcohol on their patio extensions, they would also need to apply through the liquor board Fortoloczky said.
Paving delays due to COVID-19
Responding to a question from Bob Erickson, Dickens said paving has been delayed due to COVID-19. The district intends to tender paving projects by mid-June, with construction to start in July. As for the painting of crosswalks, the district is still reaching out to the painting company who are somewhat behind in their work. The centre lines have been painted, Dickens said.
- Compiled by Emelie Peacock
emelie.peacock@hopestandard.com
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