Floating fireballs:
Council has agreed to ban the use of floating lanterns in the District of Kent.
The British Columbia Fire Prevention Officers Association (BCFPOA) is looking to ban the use of the lanterns province-wide. According to the report by Agassiz Fire Chief Wayne Dyer, fire departments across B.C. have responded to calls as a result of fires caused by floating lanterns. The lanterns, referred to as wish, sky or wedding lanterns, are set on fire and sent into the air. Dyer told Council there have been three incidents with the sky lanterns across the province and fire officials would like to see them prohibited in municipalities across the province.
“We look at it as a floating fireball,” said Dyer. “It’s just not safe.”
Coun. Duane Post said he finds that most people are responsible adults, adding, “These things are interesting – like a helium balloon, but more fun.”
Post voted against, the remaining councillors voted for the ban.
Mayor John Van Laerhoven said the problem with the balloons is even if you are a responsible individual, once the balloons are out of reach, you can’t do anything about them.
Zoning errors:
Council passed two readings for a zoning amendment bylaw for two properties that have been improperly zoned for decades.
According to a staff report to Council, the Agricultural Land Commission approved a non-farm use for a helicopter business on Tranmer Road in 1975. In 1968, four years prior to the Agricultural Land Reserve’s formation, a welding shop was established and continues to operate on Key Road.
The staff report by Darcey Kohuch, director of development services, states for “unknown reasons, the District did not process the appropriate Zoning Bylaw amendments” at the time. Both lots therefore remained agricultural, meaning the commercial uses were not legally recognized.
The zoning amendment allows a commercial use for a helicopter landing site at 1685 Tranmer Road and allows a commercial use for a welding shop at 6690 Key Road.
Morrow and Pioneer Road Upgrades:
Council awarded a bid for upgrades to Morrow Road and Pioneer Road to Timbro Contracting Ltd. for $681,078.40. Upgrades on Morrow include sidewalk, curb & gutters along the north side between Tower and Industrial Road and sanitary sewer main replacement from Vimy Road to Garden Place. On Pioneer Ave, projects include sidewalk, fencing and curb & gutter on the south side from Ferny Coombe Pool’s driveway to the entrance of the CRCC driveway, and reconstruction of the road from Agassiz Ave. to the CRCC driveway entrance.
