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Ladysmith Council met on August 18, 2020 with a proposed residential development on Malone Road, the 2019 Statement of Financial Information and the 2019 Annual Report among the agenda highlights.
Council referred a development proposal to amend the Zoning Bylaw and Official Community Plan for a property at the northeast end of Malone Road back to staff to work further with applicant on development options under the existing zoning.
The property is currently zoned as Comprehensive Development 3 (CD-3) allowing for 138-158 residential units, while the application proposed approximately 180 units by changing the zoning to a mix of both Single Dwelling Residential - Small Lot A and Medium Density Residential.
In its deliberations and motion to refer the item back to staff, Council noted its preference for working with the applicant to move forward under the existing CD-3 zoning in order to retain as trees and overall landscape.
Next, Council adopted a Zoning Bylaw amendment to allow for cannabis cultivation and processing at 1148 Rocky Creek Road.
The changes are site specific and all activity must take place within an enclosed building on the property.
The item was referred previously by Council to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) for comment because of the property’s proximity to the highway. The MOTI approved the bylaw without conditions.
Council awarded the contract for the Gill Road lift station generator to David Stalker Excavating Ltd. The Gill Road system is one of three lift stations operated by the Town.
The project was prioritized following the December 2018 windstorm and will allow the Town to operate the lift station during power outages.
A one-time increase in federal Gas Tax Funding for projects such as wastewater infrastructure is supporting completion of the work.
Similar improvements are planned for the other two lift stations once funding becomes available.
Council approved amending the 2020-2024 Financial Plan and the resulting construction of a new watermain along Oyster Bay Drive, servicing the Machine Shop and Ladysmith Community Marina.
The existing cast iron water main was installed in the 1940s and is now beyond repair.
Funding for the project will be allocated from the Town’s Water Reserve.
Council approved the 2019 Statement of Financial Information containing information for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019.
All local governments must prepare an annual statement of financial information in accordance with the Financial Information Act.
Moving on, Council approved the 2019 Annual Report - highlighting the achievements and progress on key priorities outlined in the 2020-2023 Strategic Plan as well as the audited financial statements for 2019 and the list of Permissive Tax Exemptions.
Council's four strategic focuses for this term are Infrastructure, Community, Waterfront and Economy.
Major achievements in 2019 included completion of the 4th Avenue culvert, an updated Lot 108 Park Plan, adoption of Arts and Heritage Hub Concept Plan and progress on key priorities from the Ladysmith Economic Development Strategy.
The 2019 Annual Report can be read here on the Town's website.
Council received correspondence from the Ladysmith Health Food Store regarding the placement of a temporary public washroom on First Avenue.
The washroom was installed earlier this summer to support the local economic recovery effort from COVID-19 as businesses started to reopen under new guidelines from the Provincial Health Officer.
The washroom is available for use from 8 am to 9 pm daily and is cleaned four times a week.