PORT McNEILL—A new bylaw allowing the issue of temporary use permits was put to use immediately upon passage by the Regional District of Mount Waddington board of directors last week, but a wider-ranging zoning bylaw may take substantially longer to implement.
Rural (A-1) Zone Bylaw No. 832, which would affect as much as 97 per cent of RDMW lands, was given third reading at last week's regular monthly board meeting. Before final passage, however, the bylaw must be forwarded to the province for ministerial approval by the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, said Jeff Long, manager of planning.
"As a point of reference, the last bylaw we had to send to the ministry took 10 months to approve," said Long. "We did the whole process in three months, and it took the province 10 months to give it the OK."
The bylaw, which would provide the Regional District with more control over development in its most rural areas, is itself meant as an interim measure. A full zoning review and development of a new, long-term bylaw has already commenced even while approval of the interim measure is being sought.
"The existing bylaw was established in April of 1974," said Long. "We've learned some things in it are just not working for us and need to be updated."
The board also approved Bylaw Nos. 836 and 837, interrelated amendments requested by the Malcolm Island Advisory Committee to address contingencies overlooked in the existing bylaws, including the lack of authority to issue temporary use permits.
Bylaw 836 amends the Malcolm Island Official Community Plan Bylaw and authorizes issuance of temporary use permits. Bylaw 837 amends the Island's Zoning Bylaw and establishes permitted uses and setbacks for temporary structures.
Upon passage of the bylaws, the board then voted to approve a temporary use permit to John and Marilyn Everson of Sointula, who plan to live temporarily in a trailer on their property while building a permanent dwelling.
"It's really just a housekeeping issue, to address something their current bylaw didn't allow," said Long.
Sewer contract approved
The RDMW board voted to approve a $60,374 bid by Duncan Electric to upgrade Coal Harbour's Lift Station 2, but only on the condition the company revise its requested payment structure.
Earlier this week, the company responded in agreement to the RD's terms and work was authorized to commence, Manager of Operations Patrick Donaghy said.
Duncan Electric will completely replace the mechanical components within the lift station, including new pumps, rails and variable frequency drives to adjust the ramp up and operating level of the pumps.
In its initial bid, the company requested one-third of the cost by provided upon entering into agreement, another one-third upon receipt of parts and the final one-third upon the project's completion.
The board, however, did not want to commit so much of the funding up front, in case delays should arise.
"(Duncan Electric) agreed the Regional District will reimburse the contractor the cost of materials and fabricating costs as they come up, and will pay out the residual cost within 30 days of completion of the project," said Donaghy.
The cost of the project will come from the RD's gas-tax fund.
Commissioner resigns
Administrator Greg Fletcher advised directors Myra Connaty has resigned from the Coal Harbour Local Community Commission and recommended a by-election be called to fill the remainder of her term.
"While the commission will still be able to function, it is advisable that a by-election be held given that two years of the term remain," Fletcher said in his report to the board.
The costs of the election would be funded by the CHLCC.