Did you miss this Council meeting? We've got the highlights below!
In the consent agenda, Council voted to approve several letters of support for various proposed housing projects applying to the BC Housing Indigenous Housing Fund.
Council voted to declare this week (May 6th – 12th) National Nurses week (Councillor Forster recused herself).
Council voted to approve a letter of support for funding applications submitted by the Ts’msyen Prosperity Society (Councillor Skelton-Morven recused himself).
Council received a presentation from the Director of Operations and Intergovernmental Affairs on the City’s the first year corridors that are scheduled to have water and sewer lines replaced as part of the City’s major infrastructure replacement project. More information on that project will be provided by the end of the week, including an information page with details on the corridors and a list of answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
Council passed first and second readings of a Zoning Bylaw Amendment (Bylaw 2401) for a site specific rezoning of 801 2nd Avenue West that we allow the Belrupert company (owners of the former Belmont) to establish a liquor store at that site. This proposal is in non-conformance with the existing zoning regulation that prevents liquor sales establishments within a 1 km radius of other liquor sales locations, which is why a rezoning would be required to proceed. A public hearing on the proposed amendment will be scheduled for an upcoming meeting.
Council repealed and gave first, second and third readings to replace the Trade Licensing Bylaw. The amendments were primarily to align with recent updates to Provincial legislation requiring short-term rental housing (AirBNB, VRBO rentals) to obtain a municipal business license, and also included minor housekeeping changes and removal of archaic language. Final consideration of the Bylaw will be given at a future meeting.
Council repealed and gave first, second and third readings to a replacement to the Development Procedures Bylaw 3533. The amendment defines and delegates minor variances permit and development approvals to staff (with removal of delegation with respect to decisions around height); updates procedural processes to align with new Provincial regulations on Public Hearings regarding zoning amendments related to housing; defines processes for input from the public on rezonings where public hearings are prohibited from being held; and, clarifies existing language within the Bylaw. Final consideration of the Bylaw will be given at a future meeting.
Council gave first, second and third readings to an amendment to the Municipal Ticketing Bylaw that would add Zoning Bylaw infractions to the City’s list of potential enforceable infractions. This aligns with new Provincial regulations around short-term rentals. Final consideration of the Bylaw will be given at a future meeting.
Council gave first and second readings of Zoning Amendment Bylaw 3535 which would update the bylaw to reflect Provincial regulations of short term rentals. Council voted to amend the proposed Zoning Bylaw amendment to permit short-term rentals in a secondary suite of a primary residence, which is the standard set by the Province. A public hearing with respect to this proposed amendment will be scheduled at a future meeting, after which time Council can proceed.
Council approved the 2023 Audited Financial Statements.
Council gave fourth and final reading to the City’s 5 Year Financial Plan Amendment Bylaw. (More information on the amendment is here: https://www.princerupert.ca/index-pages/news/notice-proposed-amendment-… ).
Council gave fourth and final reading to the City’s Property Tax Bylaw, which sets the 2024 property tax rate at 7.7% - the same rate initially proposed in the Fall of 2023. For more information on the proposed budget, check out our full Budget Document - https://www.princerupert.ca/city-hall/city-financials/budget (Please note that there have been a few minor amendments, as noted above).
Council recognized Charles Hays drama teacher Alison O’Toole, who is receiving a BC Achievement Award tomorrow (May 8th) in the Victoria Legislature.
For the full Council agenda, head to: https://www.princerupert.ca/index-pages/meetings/regular-council-meeting-may-6-2024
And for video of the meeting, go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apbX-UvyF5U