Regular Council Meeting - March 28th, 2022

Did you miss last night's Council Meeting? See below for a summary of the items from the meeting. 

• Council held a Public Hearing on a proposed rezoning and OCP Amendment Bylaw at 6 pm in Council Chambers.  The applicant proposes to change the designation of the property located at 1220 Portage Road from residential to industrial use, and rezone it from P1: Public Facilities to M1: Light Industrial. Council received feedback from a neighbouring property owner identifying concerns related to the application (with the full letter available as an attachment to the meeting agenda), as well as two residents who spoke to the proposal – one in favour, and one against. In the Regular Meeting, Council voted to approve the 3rd reading of the Bylaw and forward the application to the Ministry of Transportation for consideration.
• During the Committee of the Whole, Council heard a presentation from Tourism Prince Rupert on their proposed wayfinding, trail, and entryway signage project. Tourism has received grant funding from the Province’s CERIP program to implement the project, in partnership with the City and Sm’algyax Language Authority, and incorporating designs from a number of local artists. For more information on the project, and to provide public feedback on the signage designs – go to: https://visitprincerupert.com/signage-project/
• During the Committee of the Whole, Council received a report from the Finance Department regarding the City’s proposed 2022 Budget which summarized the initial report provided at the March 14th meeting, with opportunity provided for public input. No members of the public came forward to speak, but 19 entries have been made in the City’s Budget Simulation tool, as well as substantially more visits to the site.
• Council received a Development Activity Report from the City’s Planning staff, updating them on the status of a number of Development permits. The full report can be found as an attachment to the meeting agenda on the City’s website.
• Council voted to support an application made by Wheelhouse Brewing Company to the Liquor and Cannabis Licensing Board to make their patio footprint, originally a temporary structure in response to pandemic restrictions on operations, a permanent structure.
• Council voted to deny a Development Variance Permit for 1531 Atlin Avenue, following a number of community members that came forward to speak against issuing of the permit, as well as a neighbourhood petition.
• Council voted to approve Development Variance Permits for 221 11th Street, 1444 2nd Avenue West, and 337 McBride Street (CBC Office).
• Council voted to award Coast Tsimshian Northern Contractors Alliance Limited Partnership a Master Service Agreement contract for Contractor Services with respect to vertical assets, and approved a Purchasing Policy that sets out processes specific to the use of Master Service Agreements.
• Council gave First, Second, and Third Readings to the Cemetery Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 3491, 2022, which proposes some slight administrative changes to the Bylaw.
• Council gave First, Second, and Third Readings to Road Closure Bylaw No. 3488, 2022, which will close the road at the former Kingdom Hall in order to construct a new RCMP detachment at that location. This Road allowance is already physically closed and used for parking, therefore the closure will essentially formalize the existing use. A Notice of Road Closure will be provided to the community shortly.