Council evening notes--Nov. 6, 2006
Notes from our evening meeting, Nov. 6. Councillor Richter was absent.
Vince McKay of the Langley Canada Day committee asked council to help fund a $20,000 shortfall from this year's event. Council did not take any action, as staff are presently investigating the purchase of two bailey bridges from the Canada Day group, which we could use for emergency and/or arbour ribbon purposes. Buying those bridges would go a long way to helping Canada Day cover off their debt. We should know more at our next meeting.
Two ALR subdivision applications were approved unanimously. The first, to split 40 acres at 7496 272nd St., into two 20-acre pieces was moved by Ward, seconded by Fox. The second, to split 9.2 acres at 25707 72nd Ave. into 5 and 4.2 was moved by Fox, seconded by Vickberg. Both applications now go to the Land Commission for their approval.
In the strangest development application I've seen all year, Council defeated a six-lot single-family subdivision of an acre at 20486 - 93A Ave. in Walnut Grove (moved by Ward, seconded by Long; defeated 5-3 with Bateman, Alberts, Vickberg, Fox and Ferguson opposed). I spoke first on this one. That part of Walnut Grove is a developed, finished neighbourhood. Twenty-five years ago, the community, staff and council of the time made their plan for Walnut Grove. I don't see any reason to start redeveloping it now. As the home presently sits, it matches the size of all of the other lots in the neighbourhood. This was a strange one, and I'm glad it went down to defeat.
We voted 7-1 to give final reading to the bylaw amendment which allows a second set of kitchen and laundry facilities in owner-occupied single family homes (moved by Ward, seconded by Long; Fox opposed).
Fire Chief Doug Wade reported to us via memo that the full time firefighters in Willoughby responded to 95 calls in October, their first month on the job. "The full time firefighters are currently deeply involved in area and building familiarization. They are completing the required municipal orientations, workshops and training. In the next few months, they will be inaugurated into routine fire inspection and preplanning activities, compalint investigation and resolution and public awareness opportunities."
Mayor Alberts, our GVRD Board representative, reported that the Board has approved a $485 million 2007 budget, meaning an average household increase of $29. Apparently, two-thirds of this cost is water-related.
Vince McKay of the Langley Canada Day committee asked council to help fund a $20,000 shortfall from this year's event. Council did not take any action, as staff are presently investigating the purchase of two bailey bridges from the Canada Day group, which we could use for emergency and/or arbour ribbon purposes. Buying those bridges would go a long way to helping Canada Day cover off their debt. We should know more at our next meeting.
Two ALR subdivision applications were approved unanimously. The first, to split 40 acres at 7496 272nd St., into two 20-acre pieces was moved by Ward, seconded by Fox. The second, to split 9.2 acres at 25707 72nd Ave. into 5 and 4.2 was moved by Fox, seconded by Vickberg. Both applications now go to the Land Commission for their approval.
In the strangest development application I've seen all year, Council defeated a six-lot single-family subdivision of an acre at 20486 - 93A Ave. in Walnut Grove (moved by Ward, seconded by Long; defeated 5-3 with Bateman, Alberts, Vickberg, Fox and Ferguson opposed). I spoke first on this one. That part of Walnut Grove is a developed, finished neighbourhood. Twenty-five years ago, the community, staff and council of the time made their plan for Walnut Grove. I don't see any reason to start redeveloping it now. As the home presently sits, it matches the size of all of the other lots in the neighbourhood. This was a strange one, and I'm glad it went down to defeat.
We voted 7-1 to give final reading to the bylaw amendment which allows a second set of kitchen and laundry facilities in owner-occupied single family homes (moved by Ward, seconded by Long; Fox opposed).
Fire Chief Doug Wade reported to us via memo that the full time firefighters in Willoughby responded to 95 calls in October, their first month on the job. "The full time firefighters are currently deeply involved in area and building familiarization. They are completing the required municipal orientations, workshops and training. In the next few months, they will be inaugurated into routine fire inspection and preplanning activities, compalint investigation and resolution and public awareness opportunities."
Mayor Alberts, our GVRD Board representative, reported that the Board has approved a $485 million 2007 budget, meaning an average household increase of $29. Apparently, two-thirds of this cost is water-related.