Scott Stanfield
Record Staff
Courtenay council approved Monday a four per cent increase to garbage and recycling user fees for 2015.
The revenue increase is required to cover the cost of delivering garbage, recycling and yard waste pickup services in the city. As well, regional landfill tipping fees for mixed waste are expected to jump from $110 to $120 per tonne as of Jan. 1.
Residential users with recycling service will only see a 30 cent/unit increase to their yearly bill due to the removal of the recycling portion of the user fee since the Multi-Material BC program came into effect.
Earlier this year, the city signed an agreement with MMBC to provide residential recycling services. The city is now receiving financial incentives through the program, which covers the cost of bi-weekly curbside collection of recyclables.
Payment plan
Council approved a 15-year parcel tax payment option covering an $8,000 connection fee for properties in the Headquarters Road and Vanier Drive sanitary sewer extension service area. The sewer works project was completed this year. Property owners intending to sell can either pay the entire sum, or it could stay with the property.
Zoning amendment
Council granted second reading to a zoning amendment for a Residential Two (R-2) property at 1253 Cumberland Rd. to allow a carriage house. The proposal is in keeping with the Official Community Plan which supports infill within urban residential areas.
A public hearing will be held at 5 p.m. Feb. 2 in council chambers.
Road construction
Council granted zoning variances to accommodate construction of a road (Riverside Lane) between 19th and 20th streets off Cliffe Avenue. The road will provide access to a future commercial/multi-residential development between the Courtenay River and Cliffe.
Last month, council approved a development permit for the project, which has been on and off the city’s radar for several years.
Controlled crossing
Council approved a motion from Doug Hillian to meet, in an open session, with North Island College president John Bowman regarding a controlled crossing where Ryan Road enters the campus. Mayor Larry Jangula notes Ryan Road is a provincial highway.
More funds needed
A delegation from the Project Watershed Society is expected to appear before council in the new year to provide details, and to request in-kind or financial contributions to the Airpark Lagoon Breach project. The group has so far secured funds for $142,000 of the $280,800 project.
The goal is to establish river flows similar to those before the days of the sewage lagoon, which operated between 1962 and 1984.
reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com