Here's a quick look at what you can expect at the Tuesday, Oct. 8 Village of Pemberton (VOP) regular council meeting.
The meeting kicks off at 5:30 p.m. at Council Chambers (7400 Prospect Street).
Application for fuel-thinning project
VOP staff will seek council's approval to apply for $150,000 in provincial funding to pay for a fuel-reduction treatment of an area that has been identified in the VOP's Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
The area is located south of the VOP's downtown core.
"The primary objective of this fuel-management prescription is to improve public safety and to provide anchored, low fuel, defensible space 300 [metres] wide in a strategic location south of the Village core," reads the agenda package.
"The fuel break will improve public safety and protect public assets and infrastructure by reducing the chance of crown fire initiation, reduce fire behaviour potential, and reduce rate of fire spread."
The $150,000 would pay for the treatment of approximately half of the identified area.
Specifically, staff is seeking permission to apply to the Union of BC Municipalities' Community Resiliency Investment Program, which allows applicants to apply for grants of a maximum of $150,000.
Bylaw enforcement policy amendment
VOP staff is recommending a change to its bylaw enforcement policy, saying that in some cases residents are using the policy to target people that they—or their pets—simply don't like.
"Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for residents, who do not get along with their neighbour to submit complaints to the Village utilizing Village bylaws including the Animal Control Bylaw and requesting that an aggressive dog designation be established on another dog," reads the agenda package.
"In some instances, after committing resources and investigating the circumstances, staff have determined that it is simply a matter of two dogs that do not get along with each other for varied reasons."
VOP staff is therefore recommending a clarification to the policy that would seek to address the issue.
It would require written submissions from at least two people who are "unrelated and affected" by an aggressive dog in order for an aggressive dog infraction to be considered.
The policy amendment follows: "With respect to aggressive dog infractions not involving harm or a minor injury to a person, for a complaint to be considered, a written submission must be received from at least two (2) persons who are unrelated and affected by the aggressive dog, or who owns, resides upon, or otherwise has an interest in property that is affected by the alleged aggressive dog infraction," it reads.
"With respect to animal control matters not involving harm or a minor injury to a person that take place within a strata development or on strata lands, the Village will refer these matters to the Strata Council to address and resolve."
Amendment for school district
School District 48 (SD48) is looking for council to support a plan that will see its students build a residential home on the corner of Poplar Street and Aspen Boulevard.
In order to move forward with the project, the school district is asking for a 1,001 square-metre portion of its property at 1400 Oak Street (Pemberton Secondary School) to be rezoned from "civic and institutional" to "residential."
The school district is offering a class that will see students build the home from the ground up this year.
You can read more about the class here.
As the re-designation would involve an amendment to the VOP's Official Community Plan, staff is recommending one of two options: That SD48 organize and host at least one public information meeting before considering first and second readings of the change; or that staff consult with relevant stakeholders—including Lil'wat nation, the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, and the Pemberton Valley Dyking District—before moving with first and second readings of the change.
