The Vavenby Community Park green-up project is receiving a $4,300 grant from Tree Canada and BC Hydro, according to a letter presented during a Thompson-Nicola Regional District board of directors meeting held June 18. The letter was addressed to Sherri Madden, services coordinator for Wells Gray Country (Area A).
Benefits of TRU to TNRD
Christopher Seguin, vice-president of advancement at Thompson Rivers University (TRU), gave a presentation to the TNRD board on June 18 about the positive impacts TRU has in the TNRD.
The board accepted an invitation from Seguin to tour TRU’s Kamloops campus and perhaps also hold a board of directors meeting there.
Support for B.C.’s coal industry
Alan Fryer, Coal Alliance spokesperson, Mike LoVecchio, director of government affairs for Canadian Pacific Railway, and Scott Lunny from United Steelworkers provided a presentation on behalf of the Coal Alliance.
They shared information about the economic importance of the coal industry to communities in British Columbia.
The board passed a resolution to write a letter, recognizing the importance of the coal industry in B.C. and encouraging the industry to maintain leading environmental standards.
Endorsement provided for winery lounge
During its June 18 meeting, the TNRD board recommended for approval an application for a winery lounge endorsement for the Monte Creek Ranch Winery. The recommendation to the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch would be subject to the limitation of hours of operation from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The current winery licence allows the applicant to manufacture, sell, and store wine and provide product samples to the public in a designated sampling area at the winery.
Wineries may also operate one onsite retail store. This winery lounge endorsement, if approved, would allow patrons to purchase and consume wine manufactured and bottled in B.C. by the glass or bottle in a designated lounge area (which may be an indoor area or outdoor patio, or both).
Composting regulation goes to public hearing
Kamloops South Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw 2524, 2015, and Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2516, 2015, were both given two readings and will be taken to public hearing in conjunction with a future regular board of directors meeting.
The changes to the bylaws were in response to numerous complaints about recent composting operations, including those in Botany Valley and Nicola Valley.
Complaint response was limited given local government has almost no authority in the realm of either zoning or nuisance bylaws when composting is done as a part of an agricultural operation.
When it is an accessory use to a residence or when it is a primary use, such as a commercial operation, local government's scope of authority broadens.
Regulatory authority over the commercial sale and export of on-farm composting does however rest with both local government and the province.
The proposed changes limit or prohibit sale of manufactured farm compost, and thereby limit the scale of an operation and the potential for neighbourhood conflict.
Additional $15,000 for Smith Pioneer Park
The board approved a request for an increase in Gas Tax Funds previously provided for improvements to Smith Pioneer Park in Lower Nicola.
A total of $15,000 in Gas Tax Funds from Electoral Areas “M” and “N” were contributed in addition to the original funds, to allow for a roof upgrade to the building at Smith Pioneer Park.