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Looking Back at 2011

With the approach of the 2011 election much of the focus was on completing tasks that were started earlier in the term. This included establishment of a new Director's Code of Ethics, revisions to the Director Remuneration Bylaw and various election related policies and bylaws. The Planning Department also took advantage of the lull in development applications to restructure a number of policies and bylaws. The new Agriculture Policy was drafted and will be completed in 2012.

The last few months of the year were dominated by the election. While many positions in the Cariboo were filled by acclamation, Area "L" had a competition between two candidates. When the dust settled, I was returned as the representative for another three years with a healthy majority of the votes. Unfortunately overall voting was down in Area "L" and in many other ridings.

The following report is not a definitive list of activities but captures as many of those that affect Area “L” residents as I can think of at the moment. Those that relate to my election commitments are grouped as such.

I also participated on a number of committees (Litigation, Treaty Advisory, Procedures...) but have not listed those activities as they relate more to the internal operations of the CRD and have only an indirect effect on Area "L" residents.

As much as I would like to take credit for this year's accomplishments, many of them were initiated by others, and all required the support of the Board and the hard work of staff.

Election Commitments:

Other activities and initiatives ...

For those who like numbers ...

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Communication

Commitment: Enhance communications with area residents and property owners to ensure that they are aware of proposals that affect them and have a fair opportunity to contribute to the decision making proces

The 2011 Town Hall meeting was held in January at the Interlakes Community Hall. With 53 attendees, Area L tied with Area F for the best attended Town Hall meeting in the region. This was the principal forum for discussion of the proposed 2011 budget. Questions focused on tax structure, solid waste management, building permit fees, bylaw adjudication process and Interlakes fire protection.

In 2010 staff were asked to survey other jurisdictions to identify best practices for notification and involvement of property owners in consideration of development applications. While current practices were close to the norm, a number of improvements were warranted. The Board directed staff to prepare a revised bylaw with changes to signage requirements, increased distance for mail-out notifications, guidelines for public information meetings for larger projects, and posting of applications on the website. The resulting bylaws, approved in 2011, included:

I continue to rely on my website and my newsletter as a primary means of getting timely information to constituents about development applications, proposed regulatory bylaws, and upcoming meetings and events. This is particularly useful for seasonal residents. Unfortunately, there are still many residents who are not "plugged in".

Once again, this annual report is intended to be another means of informing with Area "L" property owners.

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Sustainable economy

Commitment: Participate in regional district initiatives to promote the long-term sustainability of the regional economy

Each year, small grants are provided to groups for projects with an economic focus. In 2011, grants were provided for the Rotary Fall Fair, Cariboo Challenge Dog Race, Lone Butte Historical Society and the South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce for events that attracted visitors to the 100 Mile House area.

An application was submitted to the BC Community Recreation Grant program for funding to construct wheelchair accessible trails at various locations in the Cariboo including the 100 Mile Demonstration Forest, the 108 Mile Greenbelt and adjacent to the Interlakes Community Hall at Roe Lake.

In 2010 federal funding was obtained for preparation of a report to consider the establishment of a regional development "framework" that would focus on regional issues in several areas including regional economic development, community development, infrastructure investment, and land-based growth and management strategies. The report was completed in March 2010 and the Board has directed that the CRD engage the four municipalities and First Nations to develop an inter-jurisdictional Alliance whose purpose is to further regional priorities. The goals of the Alliance are to be established annually through a joint strategic planning session beginning in the Fall of 2012.

The South Cariboo Regional Airport hosted a model plane fun fly in June and an open house / fly-in in September, both of which attracted out-of-town visitors. A GPS template was developed in 2010 to replace the current obsolete navigation aids. This highlighted the need to remove trees and power poles on surrounding properties which violate the airport's airspace. Tree removal is now complete and relocation of hydro poles is underway.

The issue of taxation of small resort operators is addressed in the section on Taxation below.

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Climate Change

Commitment: Encourage policies and programs that will help to reduce the region's contribution to climate change and develop strategies to address future climate change impacts

The CRD is committed to being carbon neutral in respect of its corporate operations. The current level of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions has been determined and work is underway to prepare an action plan. Opportunities to reduce energy consumption continue to be identified and implemented.

The CRD and the Fraser Basin Council collaborated on the development of climate change adaptation strategies for incorporation into CRD official Community Plans and policies.

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Solid Waste Management

Commitment: Support waste management practices that are economically and environmentally appropriate

The CRD's solid waste management plan is ten years old and is being updated. A large advisory committee has been established to work with the consultant in preparation of the new plan. To date, the consultant has completed the public survey, the Phase 1 report and public consultation on the Phase 2 report. In early 2012 the final report and recommendations will be presented to the Board.

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Land Use Planning

Commitment: Support land use planning decisions which ensure that development pressures do not over-ride concerns for the environmental and cultural values of the area

The CRD worked with the Thompson Nicola Regional District and the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development to develop a "watershed" based OCP for the Green Lake, Watch Lake and 70 Mile area. In December 2010, the Board gave third reading to this new and unique OCP. Provincial endorsement is still outstanding.

There were seven OCP amendment and rezoning applications adopted in 2011 for a total of 15 new residential lots. Four applications (five new residential lots) were given third reading. Six other applications are still in process.

Two Agricultural Land Reserve applications were approved by the CRD Board for submission to the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC). Both were subsequently approved by the ALC.

Four development variance permits have been approved and one was rejected.

The Board approved three Notices on Title for Building Bylaw infractions and one order for clean-up of unsightly premises.

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Taxation

Commitment: Seek means to improve the fairness of property tax structures to ensure that long term residents are not penalized as a result of development pressures on property values

The Board recognized the impact of increased taxation and poor economic markets on small resorts and once again sought support from other jurisdictions. The CRD proposed a resolution asking for revisions to the Tourist Accommodation Assessment Relief Act to provide short term taxation relief for the industry. The resolution was supported by the North Central Local Government Association but was once again rejected by the Union of BC Municipalities. The CRD has also provided a letter of support for the Cariboo Chilcotin Tourism Association petition on this issue.

A variety of tax structures were investigated for funding 911 emergency services. Under existing rules, there was no structure that improved the overall fairness of the tax distribution.

In recognition of concerns about the fairness of assessment-based property taxation, the Board has been lobbying the provincial government for additional flexibility in structuring property taxes.

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Other activities and initiatives ...

A number of regulatory bylaws and policies were approved by the Board:

Capital improvements

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By the numbers ...

(The following numbers apply to the period January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011)

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