qathet Regional District board approved a budget amendment to reallocate funds from underspending in the Northside Fire Protection Service toward the cost of installing privacy fencing around water tanks on Malaspina Road.
The board carried a motion to install the fencing at the December 21 regional board meeting.
At the December 16 finance committee meeting, according to a report from manager of emergency services Ryan Thoms, in 2019, Northside Fire Protection Service completed installation of water supply tanks along Malaspina Road. Thoms stated in his report that the tanks hold more than 27,000 gallons for fire response purposes and result in improved fire protection capabilities for the Okeover portion of the Northside Volunteer Fire Department (NVFD) service area. The investment also resulted in the Fire Underwriters survey extending the area in which it recognizes the NVFD superior tanker shuttle service, added Thoms.
Since installation of the water tanks, qRD has received one complaint from a property owner in the surrounding neighbourhood that the tanks have a negative visual impact, stated Thoms. The property owner’s solution to the concern is to have the tanks removed and set up on private property elsewhere, he added.
At the finance committee meeting, directors considered a recommendation that the board approve a budget amendment to reallocate $8,000 from underspending in the Northside Fire Protection Service for the privacy fencing around the tanks.
Electoral Area A director and board chair Patrick Brabazon said the tanks were moved to the location for fire protection services and there is dissatisfaction with the local community because the tanks are an eyesore adjacent to the Laughing Oyster Restaurant. Brabazon said the position of the tanks is complicated and they cannot be easily moved.
“The best solution is to put up this fence and to try and protect the view from the water,” said Brabazon. “I’m in favour of it.”
Electoral Area E director Andrew Fall said he fully supported the recommendation.
Finance committee chair and city director George Doubt asked what kind of fence would be put up and whether residents had been consulted. Doubt asked if it would be a chain link or board fence.
Brabazon said it would not be chain link. He said the intention is to obstruct the view of the tanks from the restaurant area. He said people were not consulted prior to the tanks being installed but it’s difficult to move them and the fence is the best compromise.
Thoms said residents haven’t been engaged but the regional district has sought quotes based on nice cedar and metal fencing, typical of what is being built around most residential properties.
“We’ll meet the standard, if you will,” said Thoms. “Based on the fire chief’s recommendation, we are going to build a nice-looking fence. We’re hoping the neighbours will be happy with it.”
One consideration in building the fencing is making sure firefighters have good access to the tanks, said Thoms.
Doubt said he agrees with the landowner who complained.
“I’ve driven by there and I didn’t think they were particularly attractive,” said Doubt. “I understand there is a purpose for them to be there and an attractive fence is a really good idea.”
