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COUNCIL BRIEFS: Reaching zero net emissions highlight of draft Official Community Plan

• The town had a brief review of the draft Official Community Plan, from the consulting firm of Ahne Studio. The company presented the draft report after over a year of meetings including public engagement and a diverse OCP Steering Committee. Company principal, Jennifer Fix, explained the processes to date and what will be the steps to wrap it up. The draft encompasses four parts 1/ Foundations, 2/ Growth Management and Land Use, 3/ Policies and 4/ Implementation.
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Ladysmith council during a recent meeting. (Town of Ladysmith YouTube)

• The town had a brief review of the draft Official Community Plan, from the consulting firm of Ahne Studio. The company presented the draft report after over a year of meetings including public engagement and a diverse OCP Steering Committee. Company principal, Jennifer Fix, explained the processes to date and what will be the steps to wrap it up. The draft encompasses four parts 1/ Foundations, 2/ Growth Management and Land Use, 3/ Policies and 4/ Implementation. A good portion of the review looks at emissions and how the town can reach ‘net zero emissions’ by 2049. Transportation and connectivity are items in the plan that have also gathered a lot of attention as has densification and how and where it can be achieved. Having community “pockets” where there can be feature places to gather is a topic as is buildings that could go as high as six stories in specific locations. The town is planning another workshop, for the public, on Saturday, June 18 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. downtown Ladysmith.

• Town council also approved a development permit for the construction of a coach house at 520 Kitchener Street.

• Town staff recommended to council to give first, second and third readings to Town Zoning Bylaw 2014, No. 1860, Amendment bylaw (50) 2022 No. 2114 to allow the addition of single family dwellings at 606 and 626 Farrell Road, commonly referred to as The Gales. The recommendation was passed by council. The town’s financial information, as well as the Annual Municipal Report, were both on the agenda with recommendations to approve both items. The link to the town’s Annual Report is https://www.ladysmith.ca/city-hall/reports-publications

• Council approved the extended infrastructure for 1260 Churchill Place. This property, bought by the Town two years ago to provide access for residents in the Forrest Field area due to the construction of the new culvert crossing of Rocky Creek on Fourth Ave. The approval requires the owner of the property to construct the sanitary sewer, storm sewer and water mains connection Fourth Ave. And McKinley Rd as well as the owner construct an “urban local’ road from the end of McKinley Road to Fourth Ave. The property is slated to be sold by the Town to the highest bidder.

• Staff had prepared a policy to regulate the installation, design, and location of Telecommunication Antenna Structures within the Town of Ladysmith. As these installations fall under federal government jurisdiction there are some issues that cannot be handled by the town but the new policy will help Ladysmith regulate the look, height and other factors where they could affect locals.

• Bylaw No. 2115 was given the first three readings to allow it to proceed to next course of action. The bylaw is Fireworks Regulation Bylaw 2022, No. 2115 and would allow the letting off of fireworks within the Town of Ladysmith for specific events. The requirement for a special permit would still be required and the sale of fireworks in Ladysmith would still be banned. The lead up to the new bylaw was last year when the CVRD turned down the request from the Ladysmith Days organizers to have the usual fireworks at the town’s summer community event. Ladysmith had been a partner in the CVRD bylaw but will now be trying to withdraw from that and initiate it’s own Fireworks Bylaw.

• The town will also be looking into assisting refugees by giving them access to the Leisure Access Program which allows families suffer financial hardships to still use the town’s community centre at reduced or zero rates. The request came from Help Ukraine Vancouver Island so that those displaced by the war with Russia can still be active.

Town staff were asked to look into the idea further as it was pointed out that there are citizens from other countries that are coming as refugees under adverse conditions.





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