Five of six Sechelt council members were in the community room at the district’s Cowrie Street office for the first time in 19 months for the Oct. 20 regular council meeting.
While Coun. Brenda Rowe did not attend, the other elected representatives donned face masks and were seated at the council table. This was the first such gathering since council transitioned to allowing members to attend meetings virtually from remote locations in March 2020 in respect of COVID-19 protocols. In his report to the meeting, Coun. Alton Toth noted that there were also members of the public in the meeting room audience.
Sechelt’s website indicates upcoming meetings of council and committee are slated to be held in person, with limited seating available for members of the public. In accordance with provincial health office orders, those attending must wear masks.
Another milestone, the third anniversary of the sitting council’s election, was mentioned in Coun. Matt McLean’s report to the group. He said that his greatest sources of pride in the group’s accomplishments to date come from the creation of “a more walkable community.” He pointed to examples including improvements happening on Trail and Wharf avenues, as well as the upcoming development of a safe walking path to West Sechelt Elementary School. In the year leading up to the 2022 local government elections, McLean said he wants to focus on walkable developments in the downtown core.
Building step code 2 on hold
Council put off voting at the meeting to introduce B.C. energy step code 2 building requirements for all buildings. The majority of the council members present said they wanted to ensure all local governments on the Coast have a consistent approach to changes to building standards. They agreed to raise the issue for discussion at the next Sunshine Coast intergovernmental meeting and consider introduction when the other local jurisdictions are also prepared to do so.
Sechelt brought step code 1 rules into force at the beginning of this year, as part of its commitment to make buildings more energy-efficient and combat climate change. In a report from chief building official James Nyhus, it was noted that step 2 will see more stringent air tightness requirements, lower thermal energy demand intensity and higher energy efficiency in building envelope and window placement. He said that while introducing the changes will increase construction costs, they can result in cost savings over the life of the structure. “Step code houses and buildings are simply cheaper to heat and operate while maintaining a healthy indoor air environment for the occupants,” he said.
Advice sought on ALC application
Council will be reaching out to the One Straw Society and the Sunshine Coast Farmers Institute for review and input before considering its decision on a Mason Road subdivision application. The subject land is contained within the Agricultural Land Reserve. The Agricultural Land Commission requires a council resolution to consider the application.
Mayor Darnelda Siegers said she had reached out to the two local agriculture groups, and both had expressed a willingness to provide their comments.
An unsuccessful motion to deny the subdivision application was brought forward by Toth and McLean. Both said they felt the advice contained in the staff report on the application, which recommended denying the application, was adequate to support a council decision on the matter.
Tuwanek evacuation route planning project
An application for a $25,000 grant to plan a route to evacuate the residents of Tuwanek in the case of a natural disaster was approved at the meeting. If awarded a grant from the Union of BC Municipalities, the project would be completed by the Sunshine Coast Regional District’s emergency planning function. Siegers noted that the need for such planning had also been brought forward to her by the Sechelt fire chief.
