The March 3 council meeting for the District of Sparwood was a busy one, with new business, several adopted bylaws and two presentations from different delegates.
Melissa Nunes made a presentation to council about safety concerns for the new Centennial Square Concept plan. Nunes believes that there are ways to make the square more inviting and safer for children. The Centennial Square Concept Plan was presented to the public at a community event on February 6 and is currently open to public feedback before the revitalization moves forward.
The other delegation to present at the council meeting was Sparwood Search and Rescue (SAR). Glenn Finlay, Andrea Murland and Jackie Carpenter represented SAR and provided an overview of the organizations activities in 2019. They also provided information on upcoming activities in 2020.
Two bylaws were adopted on March 3 as well. The first was a zoning amendment bylaw that will permit home based childcare facilities within modular home and manufactured home subdivisions. The second bylaw was another zoning amendment, allowing health services within neighbourhood commercial zones.
Council also approved the Sparwood Energy Code Policy that will be in place from 2020 to 2022. The policy, according to council notes, “is designed to encourage energy efficiency in new building construction through incentives offered to builders who meet various steps through the BC Energy Step Code.”
Another item of business that came up during the meeting was the approval of a licensing agreement with Shaw Cablesystems Ltd. This agreement will allow Shaw Go Wifi equipment to be set up and available at the Sparwood Leisure Centre and at the district’s main office on Spruce Avenue.
Council was also pleased to announce two new staff appointments. Schaun Goodeve was been named the director of planning and development and will begin officially on March 11, 2020. Lyle Hannan was appointed as the director of corporate services for the district and will begin work on March 30, 2020.
Finally, council has several reminders for residents of Sparwood. One is that the Sparwood Community Cleanup and EcoFair will be held annually on the last Saturday of April and on the first Saturday of May each year moving forward. This decision will coincide with the globally recognized Earth day. Another reminder is that the Volunteer Organization Achievement Awards are still seeking nominations until March 15. Nominations can be made in person at the main district office, the leisure centre, by email at sparwood@sparwood.ca or via mail to Box 520, Sparwood, B.C., V0B 2G0.
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