Postpones recommendation
City of Powell River councillors postponed a recommendation for a development variance permit on a vacant parcel of land on Quebec Avenue.
At the February 3 council meeting, councillors received a letter on the subject from neighbour Erin McKenzie, expressing strong concern and opposition to relaxing the maximum height of a proposed building from 8.5 to 10 metres. She stated the variance would negatively impact herself and her neighbours and would obscure her view.
Council also heard at the meeting from Jeremy Garth, who outlined his concerns with the variance.
Council carried a motion that the development variance permit recommendation be postponed to the February 17 council meeting to allow time to review and further consider the view and sightlines relating to the proposal.
Officers appointed
Council carried a motion to appoint city corporate officer Chris Jackson as chief election officer and city executive assistant Jessica Lefort as deputy chief election officer for the purposes of administering and conducting the 2022 general local election in October.
Readings given
Councillors gave first three readings to a bylaw authorizing the collection of air passenger fees at the municipal airport and Powell Lake seaplane base.
Provides report
Councillor CaroleAnn Leishman, who sits as a director with qathet Regional District, said she wanted to bring to council’s attention that at the January regional board meeting, one item of interest was that the board directed staff to bring forward cost estimates to engage with the province, the public, Tla’amin Nation, the regional improvement districts and the city for the purpose of initiating a regional growth strategy. She said regional growth strategies are typically managed by the regional district.
“It’s probably a good time and idea to investigate that for our region because we feel like we’re seeing a lot of growth,” said Leishman, “and things have changed a lot in the last little while.”
