Ahead of the 2024 B.C. provincial election, Sarah Zimmerman has taken a mandatory leave of absence from the Terrace City Council after serving since November 2022. Near the end of the meeting, she reflected on the time she has served.
"It has been a rewarding an opportunity for me, mostly because of the people around the table here. Our staff are incredible at the City of Terrace," she said.
"I'm very happy with the collaborative and open environment that our council has been able to operate in. I've always respected being able to have different perspectives and being able to come to conclusions that are in the best interest of our constituents," said Zimmerman.
"I've always appreciated the guidance you've given me over the last two years as a working councillor."
Building Bylaw update proposed
David Block, Director of Development Services, proposed replacing Building Regulations Bylaw with a new bylaw to regulate construction of buildings for the City of Terrace.
He argued the current bylaw is 20 years old and there are some sections that have become "somewhat ambiguous" after the many legislative and code amendments implemented in the past two decades.
Council approved the first, second, and third readings, meaning the Development Services department will make the new regulations available to the public, general contractors, and the development and building industry for review. After that, the department will recommend adopting the bylaw at a council meeting this fall.
The regulations will be made available online to the public, and emails will be sent to all licensed contractors, builders, and developers who are active in Terrace.
Titanium Fitness building permit up in the air
Appearing in-person, Julio Trigo, president of Titanium Fitness, and Charles Kuchera, an engineer for 48 years in B.C., presented their case for a building permit to alter a commercial building space for the gym. Trigo's permit application began in 2022 and has since been denied multiple times by the city building official.
According to Sarah Artis, communications advisor for the City, "the official has yet to receive required items needed to comply with the B.C. Building Code." She added the requirements have been "clearly communicated."
"As an engineer, I'm compelled to communicate, discuss, and have technical discussions, but the communication to date from the City of Terrace has not reflected that regulatory context," Kuchera noted.
Speaking for council, Mayor Sean Bujtas said, "I understand the frustration, sometimes bureaucracy is a little bit tough. We don't have the authority to override our building officials, that would be for the courts."
