Aug 03, 2022

Ladysmith Council Notebook for August 2, 2022

Ladysmith Council met for an electronic Public Hearing and Regular Meeting on August 2, 2022 with the Development Permit for 201 Dogwood Drive among the agenda highlights.

The meeting opened with the Public Hearing for Lot 5 Block 1399 Oyster District Plan, otherwise known as Arbour Heights Neighbourhood located within the Holland Creek Local Area.  The applicant has proposed amendments to the Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw to allow for single-family homes, townhomes, optional small scale commercial and park.

Council received one written and one verbal submission regarding the development file.

Following the Public Hearing, Council voted to postpone consideration of third reading and refer the proposal back to staff to explore changes with the applicant.

The suggested changes endorsed by Council include: allowing duplexes on R-1-B Single Family Residential, requiring commercial in C-1 Local Commercial zone, negotiating with the applicant to acquire or protect the Douglas Fir/Arbutus ecosystem as park; and that all construction on the property meet BC Energy Step Code 2.

Moving on, Mayor Stone proclaimed September 2022 as Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month in Ladysmith.

In support of Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness, the Town will illuminate City Hall, the Ladysmith sign at 1st Avenue, the chessboard downtown and Aggie Hall with red and blue lights on September 8th and 14th.

Next, Council issued a Development Permit for a 25-unit multi-family building at 201 Dogwood Drive – the site of the former Dalby’s Automotive building.   The permit is subject to the applicant providing a landscaping bond to the Town.

The developer has completed remediation to the site due to its contamination and received a Certificate of Compliance from the Province last month. The fulfillment of this requirement meant Council could proceed with issuing the Development Permit.

Moving on, Council awarded the tender for the 4th Avenue Reconstruction Improvement Project (Root Street to White Street) to Hazelwood Constructure Services in the amount of $2,272,664.81.

Council directed staff to amend the 2022-2026 Financial Plan and increase the project budget by $450,000, with the funds to come from a combination of reserves, previous surplus and the Canada Community-Building Fund – previously known as the Gas Tax Fund.

The previous tender was cancelled due to the two bids exceeding the budget that was approved by Council.

Council then approved the schedule to deliberate the 2023-2027 Financial Plan.  These budget meetings will start in September and continue through to December.

A portion of the proposed budget schedule is earlier than in previous years as the Town must meet the CVRD’s budget schedule if the Regional Recreation referendum proposal passes in the October Local General Election.

Council approved $2,000 to come from the Grants in Aid late applications budget for the Ladysmith Seniors Society to recover chairs. A letter was received by Council requesting assistance with this expense.  

The non-profit is sharing in the cost of these refurbishments.

Council waived one-third of the rental fees for the Ladysmith Lions Club, in partnership with McNabs Corn Maze, to provide up to 17 one hour swim session on Wednesdays.  The funds will come from the Grants in Aid waiving of fees budget.

Ladysmith Lions initiated the swim to accommodate persons with developmental challenges in the Ladysmith Community Link program, however, the swim is open for all members of the public to participate.

For the latest news and updates, visit the Town’s website at www.ladysmith.ca, as well as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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For Information:
Mike Gregory
Communications and Engagement Specialist
mgregory@ladysmith.ca | 250.210.1740