Council approves spot re-zoning for Tim Hortons site

Minutes of the regular Regional Council meeting April 8th, 2013
William Vroom, Convert Construction LTD and Michelle Charlton, Cordova Way Holdings, were present to hear Council approve the spot zone “Gas Bar”for their development on Cordova Way.
A motion was approved that an MOT requirement to pay for the cost of installing “no parking” signs along the Alaska Highway will be completed by them, and that no visible storage fuel tanks will be permitted on the land. Opposing the motion were Regional Councillors Osbourne and Eglinsky. Council gave three readings to the changes. Council also approved the changes to be in the official community amendment bylaw, this would take about six months. Councillor Kim Eglinski inquired if property owners had been consulted and planner Renée Jamurat said they were in full support of the process.
• Roger Cyre requested an exemption from the traffic control bylaw relating to heavy vehicle parking on 51st Avenue West between Liard and 51st Streets.
He requested that the Regional Council consider an exemption to allow heavy vehicles to park on 51st Avenue West between Liard and 51st Streets. Currently, the bylaw states that a heavy vehicle must not be parked  north of 50th Avenue North. Mr. Cyre indicated that many of his hotel customers drive heavy vehicles and need a place to park while staying at the hotel and that use of the property has been consistent for many years and has not changed. He further stated the parking on 50th Avenue North is often filled to capacity with parked vehicles. Chief Administrative Officer Randy McLean suggested that the staff could prepare a report analysing the issues for the council to consider at a future meeting.
• Council approved the purchase of a runway sweeper for the airport with a capital contribution from the federal government of $258,517. Northern Rockies has agreed to assume all project costs at the level approved by the minister.
• No one was present at the meeting to hear Council approve the closing of the South Industrial Road.
• Regional Councillor Osbourne gave an update on the CN Rail service reductions to Fort Nelson. It was reported that yard services at the CN Rail yard were being reduced from three times a week to two times a week. Councillor Soles suggested that a service reduction may be partially in response to recent actions by Canfor in dismantling one of the local mills.
He said Canfor and Bid Construction Group had begun dismantling the Tackama mill. A discussion ensued regarding Canfor’s decisions and impacts on the community. Randy McLean noted that Canfor representatives had met with Mr. Stevenson to discuss the water services payment issue but he had not yet been updated on the status of the meeting.
Regional Councillor Osborne noted that the reductions were coming into force April 20th on the railway and that unsubstantiated rumours were circulating regarding further reductions being considered.
Regional Councillor Kim Eglinski inquired if there had been any response from CN Rail regarding the municipality’s initial letter of concern. Ross Coupé said the letter had been received with an official response.
Councillor Kim Eglinski suggested that the municipality send a letter of congratulations to Encana for its three President’s Awards from the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers. This was approved.

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