Council Briefs - September 18, 2012

COUNCIL BRIEFS - September 18, 2012

MEETING AT A GLANCE

Download the complete September 18 meeting package online.

Watch the September 18 meeting or archived meetings online.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

Update on Cycling Planning Activities

Councillor Andrée Janyk, councillor John Grills, Emma DalSanto, Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) transportation demand management coordinator, and Frank Savage, RMOW planner, provided council with an update on cycling planning activities in the areas of transportation cycling, road cycling and cycling tourism.

Whistler cycling planning has historically involved work by the Whistler Cycling Committee, which hasn't met since 2010.  A number of initiatives are underway in the resort toward cycling planning and the group provided an overview of this work in the presentation. 

The RMOW attended the Velo-City Conference in June 2012, and Whistler's assets and leadership in the area of cycling were affirmed, while opportunity areas were identified or affirmed.  These include bike storage and end of trip facilities, regional or province-wide mapping and grading of trails as well as ways to continue to build cycling tourism such as better packaging and promotion of Whistler's excellent offering of routes, trails, products and services.

Other areas being looked at in cycling planning include management and maintenance of infrastructure including the Valley Trail, Highway 99, and municipal roads, as well as initiatives such as awareness and education, safety, and connections with other modes of transportation.

The draft Official Community Plan (OCP) update includes many cycling and transportation planning initiatives including those laid out in the Whistler Comprehensive Transportation Strategy. 

Council will give consideration whether to re-instate the Whistler Cycling Committee to engage in this important topic, or to put this task to the Recreation and Leisure Committee of Council.

Click here to see the Whistler Cycling Update presentation to the Committee of the Whole.

Whistler Film Festival Society

Shauna Hardy Mishaw, executive director and founder, and Jane Milner, managing director of the Whistler Film Festival Society, made a presentation to council regarding RMOW funding support for the Rainbow Theatre Capital Project.

They outlined updates to the proposed $2.766-million upgrade to the theatre, which is part of the Whistler Conference Centre, a municipal facility operated by Tourism Whistler.  The WFFS is seeking Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) funding from the RMOW as part of its fundraising efforts for the now three-phased project.  The expenditure of RMI funds is recommended by an oversight committee to the Finance and Audit Committee of Council.  The oversight committee is the Economic Partnership Initiative Committee (formerly the RMI Oversight Committee with a new expanded mandate), comprised of representatives of the RMOW, Tourism Whistler, Whistler Blackcomb, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Hotel Association of Whistler.

Click here to see the WFFS presentation to the Committee of the Whole.

2012 Employer Housing Needs Assessment

Marla Zucht, general manager of the Whistler Housing Authority, made a presentation to council regarding the Whistler Housing Authority’s 2012 Employer Housing Needs Assessment.

During the regular council meeting, council received an information report on the same topic outlining the results of the Whistler Housing Authority’s 2012 Employer Housing Needs Assessment. The report compiles information collected from a comprehensive survey of Whistler businesses to assess the employment characteristics and housing needs of Whistler’s workforce. 2012 is the fifteenth consecutive year this research has been conducted by the Whistler Housing Authority with Whistler’s business community.

Click here to see the 2012 Employer Housing Needs Assessment presentation to the Committee of the Whole.

See more on the 2012 Employer Housing Needs Assessment in the Information Reports section below.

PUBLIC HEARING

Zoning Amendment Bylaw (1350 Cloudburst Drive) No. 1978, 2011

A public hearing was held for Zoning Amendment Bylaw (1350 Cloudburst Drive) No. 1978, 2011 to allow members of the community to make representations to council or present written submissions regarding the zoning amendment. View the public hearing package online.

The purpose of the proposed bylaw is to amend the RS12 (Residential Single Family Twelve) zoned lands at 1350 Cloudburst Drive to permit duplex dwellings, townhouses and employee housing uses. The list of permitted uses has been clarified by stating that auxiliary residential dwelling units are only permitted in detached dwellings. In addition, a number of associated amendments are required which affect the form of development standards to ensure a consistent look and feel in the Cheakamus Crossing neighbourhood. The proposed amendments would add “duplex dwellings” and “townhomes” as permitted uses.

One member of the public made a submission to council cautioning them about putting in more high density housing in the area. Council did not give third reading to Zoning Amendment Bylaw (1350 Cloudburst Drive) No. 1978, 2011 as per the RMOW policy that third reading not be given at the same meeting as a public hearing if someone spoke out about the bylaw.

Background:

Council gave first and second reading to this amendment bylaw on February 21 and advised that prior to adoption, two conditions would also need to be met - first, that all dwelling units achieve a minimum EnerGuide rating of 83 and secondly that any development on the parcel be connected to the District Energy System.

The amendment could also impact the number of bed units associated with this parcel of land. On February 21, council determined that there was no requirement to increase the total number of bed units allocated to the Cheakamus Crossing neighbourhood; however, if the parcel is developed in a configuration requiring more bed units, the “Bed Unit Inventory” will be adjusted by allocating undeveloped bed units to this parcel.

The addition of “duplex dwellings” and “townhouses” to the zone will also allow the Whistler 2020 Development Corporation more flexibility to create a unique niche of non-market and market dwellings that is not currently available in Whistler in terms of size and location. Proceeds from the sale of market-housing could also be used to pay down any outstanding loans.

Click here to see the presentation to council.

MAYOR'S REPORT

Whistler receives provincial funding to promote electric vehicles

Mayor Nancy Wilhelm-Morden reported that the RMOW recently received more than $23,000 from the provincial government in support of the installation of six new electrical vehicle charging stations.

As part of the $2.7 million Community Charging Infrastructure (CCI) Fund announced in April by Minister of Environment Terry Lake, 71 organizations have been approved through an Early Bird Application process for charging station incentives. These organizations will receive 75 per cent of the cost through the fund, which is up to $4,000 per station, to purchase and install 286 level two charging stations.

Whistler was also selected as one of 12 local governments that will receive funding to help plan and identify priority locations for additional stations.

The RMOW currently has five charging stations in Whistler, one in the municipal hall parking lot and four more at the Whistler Conference Centre.

The RMOW plans to install one new station at the Public Works Yard on Nesters Road, a second at the Meadow Park Sports Centre and four more in Day Lot 1.

Provincial funding will see four additional new stations facilitated with the private sector in Whistler. The RMOW has plans to assist companies in applying for grants to install additional charging stations. The Whistler Centre for Sustainability is concurrently reaching out to the local business community to seek interest and viable locations.

Read more.

Economic Partnership Initiative Committee seeking member at large

The mayor reported that the RMOW is seeking applications for the member at large position for the Economic Partnership Initiative (EPI) Committee.

The purpose of the committee is to facilitate collaboration and alignment between key economic stakeholders within Whistler, and to produce a set of medium-term economic development and planning recommendations designed to build confidence, encourage investment, and support growth of Whistler’s resort economy. 

The committee will also make recommendations regarding the expenditure of Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) funds from the Province to be used for programs and projects to support tourism.

Interested applicants are invited to submit a resume and brief statement that reflects your interest in participating by Monday, September 24 at noon.

“I’d like to thank Michelle Leroux for her contributions to the committee,” said the mayor. “Michelle recently stepped down given that she is now a full time employee with Whistler Blackcomb.” Whistler Blackcomb is already represented on the committee by Dave Brownlie.

Click here for more information and how to apply.

RMOW appoints Learning and Education Task Force members

The mayor reported that council had selected six volunteer members of the task force that will contribute to the Learning and Education Planning Process announced by the RMOW in June.

“We had a lot of interest and received 20 applications for the task force,” said the mayor. “It is amazing to see the qualifications of those who applied.”

The purpose of this process is to investigate economic development opportunities for Whistler within the field of learning and education. The mandate of the task force is to establish a Learning and Education Strategy for Whistler. 

During the closed council meeting, council appointed the following community members to serve on the Learning and Education Task Force:

• David Dale Johnson
• Terry Deutscher
• George Suart
• Bevin Heath Ansley
• Shannon Byrne Susko
• Allen Puckett

Council appointed two council representatives for the task force – Mayor Nancy Wilhelm-Morden and Councilor Janyk.

The committee will also include the yet to be named learning and education project manager.

The group will be conducting its first meeting soon and work will continue through spring of 2013 and biographies of the community task force members will be posted on whistler.ca soon.

EnviroFest 2012

This past weekend the RMOW held its annual EnviroFest at Whistler Olympic Plaza.

“I was not able to attend but I’ve been told that it was a very successful event,” said the mayor.

The festival included a wide range of free family-oriented activities including interactive displays, a celebrity fashion show, music, performers, workshops and special children’s fun.

“Thank you to organizers for putting on such a wonderful event and to everyone who came out to learn about individual and collective efforts that we make to sustain our natural environment. Making changes is not difficult and every single action does make a difference.”

Read more about EnviroFest.

Library Board

The mayor reported that applications are being sought for trustee positions on the Whistler Public Library Board. The appointments are for a two-year term and are effective January 1, 2013.

The Whistler Public Library Board of Trustees is appointed by Whistler council and oversees the municipal library. Responsibilities include being financially responsibility for the operation of the library, and preparing an annual report for the Provincial Minister responsible subject to the terms of the Library Act.

Applications will be accepted up to 4:30 p.m. on Friday, October 26.

Click here for more information.

Mayor attends Seniors' Intergenerational Activity Centre opening

The mayor attended the opening of the Whistler’s Seniors’ Intergenerational Activity Centre on September 6.

“This is a terrific facility for seniors within the community,” said the mayor. “I encourage you all to visit the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation Social Services Centre and check out all the services they have to offer.”

Mayor participates in RBC GranFondo 2012

The mayor reported that she gave a short speech at the start of the RBC GranFondo in Vancouver.

“It was truly amazing to be at the start line and then to make it up to Whistler to welcome the riders to town,” said the mayor.

The mayor congratulated the organizers for putting on such a fantastic event.

Council to attend UBCM 2012 Convention

Next week, the mayor will be joined by councilors Jack Crompton and John Grills as well as CAO Mike Furey at the 2012 Convention of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) in Victoria.

“We will have the opportunity to participate in forums, vote on UBCM resolutions, network with other municipalities, and engage in discussions with provincial ministers and officials,” said the mayor.

“On Monday I will be attending the BC Mayors’ caucus to the discuss downloading of responsibilities from other levels of government to municipalities – something that was discussed at the inaugural BC Mayors’ caucus in Penticton in May.”

The mayor will also be attending a Resort Municipality Initiative Collaborative meeting with Minister Pat Bell and the mayors of all 14 Collaborative Communities to discuss future funding of the RMI program.

Other meetings will be held with senior provincial officials to discuss:

• the Rural Resource roads and Whistler’s interest in keeping road access to the backcountry open;
• the RMOW’s Gas Tax application for Alta Lake Road;
• Whistler’s updated Official Community Plan (OCP); and
• Liquor licensing regulations.

The mayor will also be meeting with BC Transit senior executives to discuss Whistler Transit issues. She will provide an update on these meetings at the next council meeting on October 2.

Other Meetings:

The mayor and CAO Mike Furey met with members of the First Nations to discuss the draft Official Community Plan (OCP). The mayor noted that it was an interesting meeting and the RMOW will consider the feedback from the First Nations as they move ahead with the OCP.

The mayor reported that she participated as a judge in the 2012 Housekeeping Olympics in Whistler.

Councillor Faulkner provided an update on the Forest and Wildland Advisory Committee:

• The committee will hold an old growth workshop in October and councilor Faulkner encouraged everyone to attend and dispel some of the myths surrounding old growth forests.
• There will be a forestry workshop on October 25.
• The committee is looking at revisiting the FireSmart program for next year. There wasn’t one this year because of a lack of funding.
• Thanked all of the volunteers for improving the various hiking trails in Whistler including Ancient Cedars and Rainbow trails.

INFORMATION REPORTS

Council receives Mons Industrial Land rezoning application

Council received a report regarding the rezoning application for 8017 Highway 99 which responded to the comments made by council at the August 21, 2012 council meeting.  During the August 21 meeting, council referred Zoning Amendment Bylaw (Community and Transportation Infrastructure One) No. 1860, 2008 to staff for further clarification regarding allowable uses on the site, the tree buffer between the property and Highway 99 and developable gross floor area.

The applicants have requested a rezoning of 8017 Highway 99 from RSE1 (Residential Single Estate One) to a new CTI1 (Community and Transportation One) zone to provide industrial type uses supporting community and transportation infrastructure and civic uses, and amend the Official Community Plan to support such uses.

On November 15, 2011 council gave third reading to Zoning Amendment Bylaw (Community and Transportation Infrastructure One) No. 1860, 2008. Council did not consider adoption of the bylaw at the August 21 meeting.  See the August 21 council briefs for background and information on this application.

Subsequent to the August 21 council meeting, staff met with the applicants on two occasions to review and discuss council’s comments.

Allowable Uses:

During the August 21 meeting, council expressed concern regarding the appropriateness of certain uses in an industrial zone, namely indoor and outdoor recreation. In response to council’s concerns, the applicants identify that indoor/outdoor recreation use provides additional flexibility in uses to support the development.

To address concerns respecting compatibility of indoor and outdoor recreation in the CTI1 zone, the applicants have committed to complying with Industrial Development Permit Area guidelines, equivalent to those presently under consideration for inclusion in the municipality’s updated Official Community Plan; and, prohibiting all mechanized outdoor recreation uses and any noisy and dust creating outdoor recreation uses such as rifle range, go-cart track or paint ball.

Tree Buffer:

A visual impact assessment was submitted with the original submission for rezoning in 2007 photographing the tree buffer along Highway 99. Staff performed a site visit on August 29, 2012 and confirmed that an existing tree buffer exists within the 20-metre setback from the right of way of Highway 99 that is substantial, consisting of a mix of coniferous and deciduous trees.

The CTI1 zone would require a minimum 20-metre setback from the right of way of Highway 99 and further require that this setback area be landscaped to visually screen the buildings, structures and storage areas from Highway 99. Ultimately, this 20-metre setback area will become municipal property and an extension of the Valley Trail will be built within it. The RMOW is confident that the Valley Trail can be routed to protect significant screening trees.

The applicant has agreed to landscape the setback areas adjacent to the 20-metre setback to screen the development from the highway, install a fence to assist in protecting trees in the long-term and restrict the uses within the Valley Trail statutory right of way to permit tree buffer, Valley Trail and underground utilities only.

The RMOW is also recommending a management agreement between BC Hydro and the RMOW describing a protocol for tree cutting under the BC Hydro transmission lines.

Developable Gross Floor Area:

With their submission for rezoning in 2007, the applicants proposed a 0.75 floor space ratio (fsr) and no site coverage regulations, consistent with the IS1 zone in Function Junction. Zoning Amendment Bylaw (Community and Transportation Infrastructure One) No. 1860, 2008 subsequently prepared for council’s consideration specified no fsr regulation and a maximum 40 per cent site coverage. At 40 per cent site coverage the maximum gross floor area potential is estimated to range from 346,000 sq. ft. to 500,000 sq.ft. During the Official Community Plan update process the development potential of 8017 Highway 99 was reviewed with the applicants for preparation of materials presented to the public. The applicants indicated an initial development of up to 100,000 sq. ft.

Subsequent to council’s comments of August 21, 2012, the applicants propose to restrict the density provisions of the CTI1 zone to a maximum 0.5 fsr and an absolute maximum gross floor area of 200,000 sq. ft. in order to support development costs and ensure a financially viable project. Zoning Amendment Bylaw (Community and Transportation Infrastructure One) No. 1860, 2008 can be adopted as amended to include the maximum 0.5 fsr and maximum gross floor area of 200,000 sq. ft. restriction.

Click here to see the presentation to council.

RMOW reports on Cheakamus Crossing District Energy System

Whistler’s unique District Energy System (DES) system was designed as part of the RMOW’s strategy for applying sustainable principles to infrastructure. Development of the innovative, award-winning Cheakamus Crossing District Energy System (CC DES) was led by the RMOW and the Whistler 2020 Development Corporation, responsible for the construction of the Whistler Athletes' Village for the 2010 Winter Games (now the Cheakamus Crossing neighbourhood).

The CC DES currently heats 99 per cent of buildings in the Cheakamus Crossing neighbourhood. The plant is located on the grounds of the Whistler Waste Water Treatment Plant and its function is to extract heat from treated effluent water and transfer it to the heat transfer fluid in the loop. The distribution piping and controls are partly on public land and partly on private land, however, both the plant and distribution system are entirely the property of the RMOW.

In September 2010, the RMOW committed to conducting an annual review of CC DES fees versus actual costs, and reporting to council any recommended changes to fees.

During this week’s council meeting, the 2011 Cheakamus Crossing District Energy System Annual Report was presented to council and covers the year 2011, along with some information from 2012.

According to the report, the CC DES performance has been in line with initial expectations in both 2011 and 2012. The report recommends that during the 2013 budget planning process that CC DES user fees remain unchanged for the year and also recommends that a CC DES annual reconstruction project be established in 2013, with a corresponding reduction in operating budget.

In 2010, fees were established by Bylaw 1951, 2010 and were based on a 2010 forecast of annual costs of $195,000, of which $70,000 was to be a transfer to a capital replacement reserve fund.  2011 was the first full year of the DES operating within its normal design mode and various design, construction and operating issues with the plant came to light over the course of the year. Capital costs associated with correcting these issues were handled through the operating, not capital budget (as no capital budget existed at that time). The total cost (including operating and capital costs) for 2011 was $183,000.

The CC DES plant has been a reliable provider of heat to the Cheakamus Crossing community, increasingly so as the plant and its support-staff have progressed through the plant’s break-in period in 2010. As a result of homeowner enquiries and complaints in late 2010/early 2011, townhall meetings were held with Cheakamus Crossing residents, and coordination meetings held with non-resident stakeholders. As a result, robust how-to information was posted to the RMOW website, and an effective e-mail notification protocol was established by staff with the cooperation of Cheakamus Crossing property managers.

In 2011, the CC DES experienced five service events including three shutdowns (average of 67 minutes) and two low temperature events (average of 25 hours). These events should not have caused users to lose heat in their homes however a few did and the issues have all since been resolved. In 2012, only one service event was reported and the electrical problem was identified and fixed within 15 minutes.

To assist council and residents in better understanding the financial and environmental impacts of the CC DES, the RMOW has agreed to participate in a province-wide B.C. Hydro DES monitoring and benchmarking assessment. This assessment (to be completed in 2013) will compare the CC DES to a number of other district energy systems in B.C. (and beyond).  The benchmarking information provided to the RMOW will include outcomes such as energy, GHG, and lifecycle cost performance versus electric baseboard heat, and versus other DES’s. The study should also enable users to better distinguish between heat pump use and other
power uses in the home

Phase II of the Cheakamus Crossing development may occur, potentially resulting in an approximate doubling in the number of CC DES connections. If so, the cost per connection will drop substantially, due to fixed costs being spread over many more homes.

The RMOW is evaluating an internal recommendation that homeowners be able to self-manage texting and email notification subscriptions from the RMOW website, thus providing a direct and up-to-date channel of communication to DES users. The RMOW will also continue to monitor CC DES cost, revenue and performance, and report annually to council with any fee change recommendations.

More about the CC DES:

The DES is estimated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 95 per cent or approximately 1,600 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year, when compared to conventional technologies This is the equivalent to taking 350 gasoline-powered passenger cars off the road for a year or avoiding 5 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions for a typical townhouse dwelling of 136 m2.

The DES results in a savings for homeowners of 20 to 30 per cent over conventional gas heat. The savings for any given home or building will vary based on a number of factors including building size, variations in building construction, variability in heat pump owner maintenance and “real world” performance vs. specifications.

Over the 20-year life of the heat pump in each home (including replacing the heat pump in year 20), the DES system will save the homeowner about $5.00 per year per square-metre vs. baseboard electric heat (this reflects much lower electricity use).  For a 1500 sq. ft. home (140 m2) that would equate to a savings of $695 per year.

The DES helped Whistler win the 2009 Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA) Environmental Award, the 2008 Community Energy Association's Energy Action Award for Community Planning, the Award of Excellence for Special Projects from the Association of Canadian Consulting Engineers, 2009 Canadian Consulting Engineering Awards, as well as a VANOC Sustainability Star.

Click here to see the presentation to council.

Click here to read more about the DES.

2012 Whistler Employer Housing Needs Assessment released

Council received a report outlining the results of the Whistler Housing Authority’s 2012 Employer Housing Needs Assessment. The report compiles information collected from a comprehensive survey of Whistler businesses to assess the employment characteristics and housing needs of Whistler’s workforce. 2012 is the fifteenth consecutive year this research has been conducted by the Whistler Housing Authority with Whistler’s business community.

The survey targeted 452 registered Whistler businesses and was conducted from June 11 to August 1, 2012. The questions focussed on employment levels for the 2011/12 winter season; seasonal employment levels for the 2011/12 winter season; workforce and seasonal workers living within Whistler; projected employment levels for the upcoming 2012/13 winter season; employment shortages from the 2011/12 winter season; and information on employer-provided housing in Whistler.

According to the survey, approximately 89 per cent of Whistler employers felt that it was very important or somewhat important for their employees to reside in Whistler and approximately 82 per cent of Whistler’s total workforce resided in Whistler in the 2011/12 winter season. The size of the resident workforce (9,800 FTE employees) has increased slightly from the 2010/11 season, when approximately 9,600 FTE employees (82 per cent lived in Whistler.

Other key findings from the survey include:

• Whistler’s workforce consisted of approximately 12,000 FTE employees in the 2011/12 winter season. This represents a 2 per cent growth from the 2010/11 winter season.
• Whistler’s seasonal workforce was estimated at 5,200 FTE employees in the 2011/12 winter season. Approximately 97 per cent of these employees resided in Whistler, an increase from the 95 per cent of seasonal workers who resided in Whistler in the 2010/11 winter season.
• Only 5 per cent of Whistler’s businesses were not able to achieve full staffing levels and thirty percent of the winter season staff shortages were directly attributed to a lack of available housing.
• Approximately 15 per cent of businesses currently provide housing for their employees, a decrease from both the 2010/11 and 2009/10 seasons (16% and 18% respectively).
• Whistler’s workforce is projected to total approximately 12,100 FTE employees in the 2012/13 winter season, representing a slight increase of 0.5 per cent from 2011/12 employment levels. The 2012/13 workforce is projected to include 10,600 fulltime positions and 1,500 full-time equivalent positions created by the part-time workforce.

Read the complete report for more details.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

Council adopts terms of reference for Emergency Planning Committee

During this week’s meeting, council adopted the terms of reference for the Whistler Emergency Planning Committee. The Committee is a requirement of the RMOW Emergency Measures Bylaw No. 1593, 2002. The role of the committee is to provide policy direction and guidance to the Whistler Emergency Program and ensure that legislative requirements are fulfilled. Whistler’s Emergency Program coordinates the processes and procedures for mitigating against, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from large-scale emergencies. In addition, the committee provides a forum for elected officials, RMOW staff and other agencies to work together to develop a coordinated approach to emergency planning.

Members of the Committee include the mayor (committee chair), a councillor, the chief administrative officer, general managers, the Emergency Program coordinator and representatives from the Whistler Fire Rescue Service, Whistler RCMP, Emergency Social Services, Search and Rescue, Vancouver Coastal Health, Whistler Blackcomb, BC Ambulance and School District 48.

The Emergency Planning Committee was established in 2002 and met regularly until 2007. The committee did not meet from 2007 until 2012 but resumed a regular meeting schedule this year. On July 16, 2012 the committee approved a draft terms of reference. The proposed terms of reference outlines the purpose of the committee, committee membership, the committee chair, committee duties and responsibilities, meeting frequency, quorum details, and the process for the minutes.

The committee will continue to report to council via official minutes and staff presentations as required.

Click here to see the presentation to council.

RMOW discharges 3105 Hillcrest Lane Mandatory Employee Suite Covenant

Council supported the Whistler Housing Authority’s (WHA) Board of Directors recommendation for the discharge of the mandatory employee suite covenant on 3105 Hillcrest Lane in exchange for the cash in lieu payment of $160,000 into the RMOW Employee Housing Reserve.

Precedence and policy has been established that the discharge of a mandatory employee suite covenant has been for cash-in-lieu of the suite or off-site conversion of market housing to restricted housing. Both tools result in the opportunity for additional resident housing for the community with no incremental cost to the municipality and the WHA for the creation of resident restricted housing.

Background:

In June 2004, council passed a resolution as part of the Resident Housing Non Cost Initiatives Policy resolving that the amount for the discharge of a mandatory employee suite covenant was $150,000, adjusted annually by CPI. Since 2004, the WHA and RMOW council have supported the discharge of three mandatory employee suite covenants located in Taluswood and on Treetop Lane in exchange for cash-in-lieu to the RMOW Employee Housing Reserve.

In June 2007, the WHA and council received a request from Mount Whistler Lodge Ltd., the developers of the Lakecrest subdivision, requesting the discharge of the mandatory suite covenants on six market single family homes on Hillcrest Lane in exchange for Mount Whistler Lodge Ltd. purchasing and retaining as restricted rental inventory an approximately equivalent amount of resident housing in the Athlete Village. Council agreed with the general direction of eliminating the mandatory suites within the six designated single-family residences in the Mount Whistler Lodge Lakecrest subdivision in exchange for the purchase of units in the Athletes Village. Despite having the WHA and council`s approval, Mount Whistler Lodge Ltd. did not proceed with the discharge of the mandatory suite covenants in the Lakecrest subdivision.

RMOW appoints new director to municipal corporations

Council accepted the resignation of Lonny Miller from Whistler Village Land Co. Ltd. (WVLC), Emerald Dreams Conservation Co. Ltd. and Cheakamus Leasing Corp. Council subsequently appointed in his place Shannon Story, who returned from maternity leave as the Corporate Officer for the municipality.

Updating the appointments to the three RMOW companies as a result of senior management changes is in keeping with Council’s Governance policy to provide the tools to ensure that organizations operate in an effective and accountable manner.

MINUTES OF COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS

Council received minutes from Liquor License Advisory Committee meeting of July 12, 2012.

BYLAWS FOR THIRD READING

Council provided third reading to:

Zoning Amendment Bylaw (Function Junction - Indoor Recreation Uses) No. 2003, 2012

The purpose of Zoning Amendment Bylaw (Function Junction - Indoor Recreation Uses) No. 2003, 2012 is to rezone the Lands in Function Junction to generally allow Indoor Recreation Uses in the Industrial Service One (IS1), Industrial Service Four (IS4), Industrial Light Three (IL3), and Function Junction Light Industrial Residential (ILR) zones, respectively. A public hearing regarding this amendment bylaw was held on September 4. One letter in opposition to this proposed rezoning was received by council, so council did not consider third reading of this bylaw during the September 4 meeting.

Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw (BC Transit Site) No. 2013, 2012 and Zoning Amendment Bylaw (BC Transit Site) No. 2012, 2012

The purpose of Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw (BC Transit Site) No. 2013, 2012 is to amend policy supporting light industrial use and identify the Lands as a development area, a service commercial and industrial area, and a sewer and water service area.

The purpose of Zoning Amendment Bylaw (BC Transit Site) No. 2012, 2012 is to rezone the Lands from RS-E1 (Residential Single Estate One) to CTI2 Community and Transportation Infrastructure Two) to provide for uses related to the parking and maintenance of passenger transportation vehicles

A public hearing regarding this amendment bylaw was held on September 4. No written submissions for this public hearing were received; however, one community member expressed his opposition to this proposed rezoning.

BYLAWS FOR ADOPTION

Resort Municipality of Whistler Officers Bylaw No. 1961, 2011

The purpose of Resort Municipality of Whistler Officers Bylaw No. 1961, 2011 is to establish officer positions and assign powers, duties and functions to its officer positions. Council gave first three readings to this bylaw on September 4.

Zoning Amendment Bylaw (Industrial Service Six Zone) No. 2005, 2012

The purpose of Zoning Amendment Bylaw (Industrial Service Six Zone) No. 2005, 2012 is to create an Industrial Service Zone with the same requirements as the IS1 Zone (Industrial Service One) with the addition of a grocery store as a permitted use. This amendment bylaw was given third reading by council following a public hearing on August 21.

Emerald Sewer Specified Area Parcel Tax Amendment Bylaw No. 2015, 2012

The purpose of Emerald Sewer Specified Area Parcel Tax Amendment Bylaw No. 2015, 2012 is to amend “Emerald Sewer Specified Area Parcel Tax Bylaw No. 1441, 2001” to adjust wording regarding “prepayment of Parcel Tax” for consistency in the bylaw and to change the interest calculation for prepayments to reflect the current borrowing cost. Council gave first three readings to this amendment bylaw during the September 4 council meeting.

OTHER BUSINESS

After returning from maternity leave, Shannon Story was appointed by council to the position of Corporate Officer. Council also thanked Lonny Miller for his service in the position as Corporate Officer and for his excellent work during the 2011 election process.

Enter Section Title

Council received correspondence from:

• Linda Moldauer, Vice President of the Executive Committee Forest Trails Strata VR2497, dated August 29, 2012, and September 5, 2012, regarding traffic and parking on Spearhead Drive. Council also discussed the photos that were submitted along with the letter, which clearly showed an excess of traffic and parking on Spearhead Drive. The letter was received and referred to staff.
• Gay and Brian Cluer, dated September 11, 2012, regarding the Alta Lake Road sewer. The mayor reported that she will meeting with senior provincial officials at UBCM to discuss the RMOW’s Gas Tax application for Alta Lake Road.
• Othmar A. Brunner, dated September 4, 2012, regarding concerns with stag parties in Whistler, as a family friendly environment.
• Diego Marchese, CEO of the BC and Yukon Heart and Stroke Foundation, and Scott McDonald, President and CEO of the BC Lung Association, dated August 31, 2012, encouraging support for a resolution to the 2012 UBCM by the City of Kamloops requesting the UBCM and provincial government consult with industry in order to develop and implement province-wide, uniform legislation banning smoking in specific outdoor public places.