The Village of Pemberton (VOP) council passed readings one and two of housekeeping measures on its recently passed comprehensive zoning bylaw during its April 2 regular council meeting.
Council originally adopted bylaw No. 832 in July 2018, after significant community consultation, and then amended it in October after discovering some of the original information was not transferred over correctly from the previous iteration.
"Since the Zoning Bylaw was adopted in July 2018 and amended in October 2018, Staff has been monitoring minor inconsistencies, noting interpretation issues and making a list of suggested changes to improve, clarify and update existing regulation," stated the staff report on the proposed changes.
"It appears that in translating the information to the new Zoning Bylaw ... some information was inadvertently omitted or (is) erroneous."
The proposed alterations do not constitute significant changes and are "housekeeping in nature," according to the report.
However, at Councillor Amica Antonelli's request, VOP council decided that clauses that would permit public parking lots on all lands be taken out of the omnibus.
"I think that there are implications that weren't considered and that the public wasn't aware of," she said in an interview with Pique, following the meeting.
"I think we should have more study and consultation before we put something in there that could have impacts."
This issue also plays in to Antonelli's opposition to the proposed Fougberg Park development, which will see a 16-car parking lot placed at the back end of the park, off John Currie Lane.
In Antonelli's view, the current bylaw does not explicitly permit "public parking lots" as a principal use on all lands, and that a rezoning would be required to go forward with the development.
"I just think that including those clauses about public parking in the zoning bylaw is just one step further towards approving that parking lot in the park," said Antonelli.
The staff position is that the proposed parking lot at Fougberg is already permitted in the zoning bylaw as a civic use, and that the housekeeping amendments were only to clarify what was originally intended.
A public hearing—the date of which is yet to be set—will be held on the accepted changes in the omnibus bill.
A full list of the proposed changes can be found in the in the agenda package: pemberton.ca/public/download/documents/82295.
Requests for support for golf tournaments
Council also provided direction on requests for financial support from two important community organizations: the Pemberton Red Devils Alumni Association and the Rotary Club of Pemberton.
The Red Devils Alumni Association is hosting its annual Day of the Devils fundraising event at Big Sky Golf Club and Pemberton Secondary School; the event is on Sat., April 27, with proceeds going to Pemberton Secondary School's athletics program.
The Rotary Club is hosting its annual golf tournament at Big Sky Golf Club on Friday, June 7 in association with the Pemberton and District Chamber of Commerce.
Council elected to allocate $250 from the VOP's Community Enhancement Fund towards a gift basket that will be raffled off at the Day of Devils fundraiser.
It also passed a motion to ask the organizers to follow up with council on the success of their fundraising efforts. (Mayor Mike Richman stepped aside for all of this discussion, as he is a basketball coach at the high school.)
As for the golf tournament, council asked that the sponsorship be brought to the Pemberton Valley Utilities & Services Committee. It traditionally sponsors a foursome for the event ($2,500), and Richman said that it could be a good opportunity for the VOP's new councillors to meet their colleagues.
"If there is interest in you guys to participate ... it's a great event ... and it's a good opportunity to meet your colleagues," he said.
