Property rezoned
City Council passed first and second reading of a bylaw to amend the Zoning of the old Kerby property at the top of Lanfear Hill from R1 to R3, and first and second reading of a bylaw to designate the property as a multi-family development permit area.
Prior to the third reading and adoption, there will be a public hearing regarding the proposed bylaw amendments and a public notice will be sent out when the hearing date is set.
A numbered company from Vancouver purchased the property of 5.28 acres last fall for $1.28 million, not far off the original asking price of $1.5 million. The company has plans to build up to 70 housing units on the property.
At the same time, council is considering asking for a vehicle and pedestrian flow study on Lanfear Hill as part of the development permit process.
Thornhill clarification
A previous council resolution to have the city not interfere as the rural community of Thornhill decides how it wants to be governed also surfaced Jan. 12.
Councillors Brian Downie and Sean Bujtas, who voted against the motion when it was introduced last month over worries it would prevent the city from determining how any change in how Thornhill is governed would affect Terrace, asked for clarification on what the word “interfere” as contained in the resolution actually means. Council and staff decided that some participation was okay if requested. Thornhill now comes under the jurisdiction of the Kitimat-Stikine regional district and incorporation is now being considered.
Participation
And Councillor Stacey Tyers said at the same meeting that she will introduce a plan later this year for residents to have a greater say in setting city budgets.
She wants the plan in place in time for the 2016 budget deliberations.
Bylaw officer pencilled in
A full time bylaw officer’s position would cost more than $100,000, say city officials as council grapples with setting the 2015 municipal budget.
“The amount that will be provided to council for their consideration during the budget process is $88,000 per year for wages and benefits and one-time costs of $24,500 for a vehicle and office equipment,” said city administrator Heather Avison.
Budget trimming years ago cut the position back to half time but there have been renewed calls for more by-law enforcement. One issue is the lack of enforcement when it comes to people parking in spaces designated for those who have mobility problems.
This story has been changed. The original story incorrectly indicated that city council had approved the rezoning of the property at the top of Lanfear Hill.