A weekly roundup of noteworthy news in municipalities across B.C.
Proponents of the Gibsons Public Market are counting on some well-heeled Coast residents to open their wallets now that the Town of Gibsons has signed on as a potential partner. After an in-camera meeting on Sept. 10, council passed a resolution to enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the public market proponents.
The City of Colwood doubled up on acclaim for its leadership in energy planning and efficiency plus the use of renewable energy. At the Union of BC Municipalities convention, Steve Thompson, Minister of Forests, presented the city with a Climate and Energy Action award for commitment to and implementation of the Solar Colwood program. The next day, Coralee Oakes, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development presented Colwood with the Community Excellence Award for leadership and innovation in climate action.
Smaller lots, more houses, and more developer cash for amenities are slated for the Albion area, if a new bylaw gets through Maple Ridge council. A public hearing was held on Tuesday evening in council chambers about a density bonus for land developers, which would include an amenities fee of $3,100 for every lot taking advantage of smaller minimum sizes.
The City of Vancouver is planning a new building bylaw that, for the first time in Canada, will require all new homes to be adaptable for seniors and people with disabilities. The city wants all new single-family, townhouse and laneway homes to meet minimum accessibility standards.
Some of Abbotsford’s homeless residents have returned to the “Happy Tree” – but not everyone is happy about the relocation of the Gladys Avenue homeless camp. The tree – located across from the Salvation Army – was the centre of a controversy in June after city crews dumped manure on the site in an apparent effort to deter the homeless.