COUNCIL MATTERS: Rossland City Council Meetings, March 11, 2024 -- CORRECTED
By Contributor
Mayor Morel offers condolences to family on the passing of a prominent Rosslander. Council hears from more residents on short-term rentals; an upcoming merger of LCIC and LCCDTS; and more …
By Alina Konevski
PRESENT: Mayor Andy Morel and Councillors Craig Humpherys, Lisa Kwiatkowski (virtual), Maya Provençal (virtual), Stuart Spooner and Jeff Weaver. ABSENT: Councillor Eliza Boyce
Staff: CAO Bryan Teasdale, Deputy Corporate Officer Cynthia Anonuevo, CFO Mike Kennedy, City Planner Stacey Lightbourne, Manager of Operations Scott Lamont, Deputy Operations Manager Josh Solman and Executive Assistant Rachel Newton (virtual).
1. PUBLIC HEARING
Zoning Amendment Bylaw No.2828 (Short Term Rental Regulations)
A full house of about 30 people attended a public hearing to provide input into the City’s proposal to change the current Short Term Rental (STR) regulations. Changes include removing the zoning amendment requirement and one per block cap, while limiting STRs in principal residences only in most residential zones, among other amendments.
Ten members of the public spoke, all opposed. Former interim City of Rossland CAO Michael Maturo led off to urge Council to “reflect on this bylaw that has potential to change the DNA of the municipality.” He was concerned that the bylaw as written would create many more STRs than Rossland currently has. “We could be witnessing in our neighbourhood whole blocks converted to STR,” he said, asking that more in depth numerical analysis be done of current STRs in Rossland and the potential impact of the amended bylaw. There was also insufficient public notice of the proposed changes, Maturo contended, reminding Council that 20 years ago, the City advertised the original STR bylaw by mailing each resident a paper notice.
Several other speakers agreed about insufficient notice to residents and a need to conduct more research. Andras Lukacs, Executive Director of Tourism Rossland, spoke as a homeowner and concerned resident. Acknowledging that he benefits from STRs professionally, he flagged that Council researched only large cities grappling with issues vastly different from those in Rossland. As the Rossland Yards housing development sitting atop Council chambers remains partly vacant, Lukacs questioned whether the City’s housing problem was availability or affordability.
[Editor’s Note: The paragraph below has been corrected with input from Angela Price.]
Angela Price has operated her B&B in lower Rossland for 45 years, and nearby Guest House for 25. She asked for fairness for all STR operators in town, instead of restricting future STR suites to fringe developments. She said the current “one per block” limit puts a useful cap on STRs, and could work even better if applied more flexibly, allowing more than one STR in some blocks (if conditions are met) while keeping within the agreed cap overall.
Fellow B&B operator Mike Tigges of the Wild Turkey Inn was equally concerned. The original bylaw allows four guestrooms in addition to a primary suite occupied by the owner, while the new zoning bylaw proposed to eliminate secondary suites from this type of operation, which Tigges sees as counterproductive to encouraging more long-term rentals in town. “It feels like we’re being punished for the sake of being punished,” he concluded.
A young family attended the hearing to explain how they purchased their home in 2020 with an STR licence and completed two years of renovation in the hopes of renting it out, while complying with all current regulations and paying the STR business licence fees. The design, Julianna Deluce explained, was suitable for visiting family and short-term rentals, not a permanent resident in their home. Not yet having had the opportunity to rent it out, the family was concerned they now wouldn’t be able to.
Red Mountain resident Nancy Bulman asked Council to consider an incentive scheme whereby STR operators would pay higher property taxes, while homeowners with long-term rentals would receive tax breaks.
The public hearing adjourned promptly after 30 minutes with everyone interested having the opportunity to speak. Mayor Morel reminded the public that this hearing was not a third reading, but was rather intended to provide input to Council. Further discussions will come, he promised.
2. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
PUBLIC INPUT PERIOD:
Rossland Public Library Vice Chair Catherine Spence highlighted that the library building’s HVAC system will need replacement soon, at a cost exceeding the library’s annual budget. Although the building is owned by the City of Rossland, maintenance costs are covered by the Rossland Public Library Association. As summers become smokier, the library has served as the community’s place of refuge, and Spence asked Council to consider supporting the replacement.
The owner of 2690 Monte Cristo spoke in support of his development variance application to rebuild a house on a better site following a fire.
DELEGATION:
The Lower Columbia Initiatives Corporation (LCIC) represented by Rebecca Richards and MTA Director Jacomien Van Tonder informed those present of the upcoming merger of LCIC with the Lower Columbia Community Development Team Society (LCCDTS). The merger aims to reduce administrative time and costs, and streamline activities. The delegation also presented their other activities, including preliminary results of an upcoming commissioned report on commercial traffic impact on the Waneta border. The full presentation is included in the Council meeting agenda.
POLICIES AND BYLAWS:
Business Licence Bylaw No. 2801, 2024:
A bylaw to expand short-term rental categories and increase fees, amongst other changes, CARRIED first reading without comment by Councillors.
STAFF REPORTS AND UPDATES:
Development Permit Application – 3980 Old Red Mountain Road:
A new housing development called The Glades is in the works on Old Red Mountain Road, consisting of 33 townhouse units (in 10 buildings) and an outdoor amenity area. This development permit represents the first phase. Council followed staff recommendations and granted the permit, under 16 conditions mostly concerning environmental impact and mitigation. Councillor Spooner commented that that this was a complicated site, with varying conditions and moving parts and it took careful consideration to understand the proposal and potential impacts. He ultimately felt the project made sense and is in support, as are Councillors Humphreys and Weaver. Mayor Morel echoed concerns about the environment, recognizing that this was a wetland area with many streams and suggested enforcing existing setbacks. Ultimately, the proposal CARRIED with all in favour.
Development Permit Application – 2003 Second Avenue
The Flying Steamshovel Inn & Gastropub’s application to re-paint the building façade, install new canopies, install a new deck on the west side of the building and hang new signage, was CARRIED unanimously by Council, including four conditions set out by staff concerning the construction of the deck.
Development Variance Permit – 2690 Monte Christo Street
A motion to allow the variance permit CARRIED.
Development Variance Permit – 2380 Sixth Avenue
A motion to allow the variance permit CARRIED.
Second Avenue Infrastructure Improvements Project – Tender Review and Award
Council CARRIED a motion to award Kays Road Contracting Ltd. the contract of $1,327,838.66 to improve infrastructure on Second Avenue between Washington and St.Paul Streets. This includes addressing improvements to local water distribution, stormwater collection systems, street scape and active transportation routes, adding new drainage infrastructure, and providing adjacent properties with storm water services, and upgraded water services. Councillor Humphreys commented that the tender process felt competitive with a good number of bids received.
Appointment of City Representatives to Rossland Yards Strata Council
A motion to appoint CAO Teasdale and CFO Kennedy as the City of Rossland’s organizational representatives on the Strata Council for Strata Corporation EPS9535 CARRIED.
Rossland Community Pottery Society Facility Use Agreement Renewal
Council CARRIED a motion to renew the Rossland Community Pottery Society’s Facility Use Agreement until 2027. While in support, Councillor Spooner questioned whether having a kiln in the basement of a historic wooden building was a good idea. CAO Teasdale and Operations Manager Lamont responded that staff have considered this many times in the past and while the Miners’ Hall is not an ideal location, there are safety measures in place, the fire department has completed satisfactory inspections, and the pottery society has a historic agreement with the City to use the facility. Teasdale affirmed that this topic has long roots and that staff continue to encourage the pottery society, as well as other user groups not ideally suited to the Miners’ Hall, to consider relocation.
Municipal Cheque Register Report for February 2024
The motion to approve the expenses paid for February CARRIED.
MEMBER REPORTS
Councillor Spooner attended the second recreation master plan implementation committee meeting where a big topic continues to be the viability of the Rossland community pool. Councillors Humphreys and Provencal attend the Royal BC Museum conversation at the Rossland Museum, a “road show,” as they put it, to gather input from smaller communities on the museum’s future.
In recognition of the fatality at RED Mountain Resort last week, Mayor Morel commented: “I wish to acknowledge the passing of a prominent Rossland resident recently. Condolences to the family at this time. It’s been on our community’s mind for sure.”
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