Several motions involving gravel extraction were approved by council. First, they asked the Ministry of Mines to establish a set of conditions on a gravel pit application by Revelstoke Sand & Gravel.
The conditions they asked for are:
— A study be conducted to determine the level of crystalline silica in the ground, and measures be put in place to mitigate any health impacts;
— A noise control plan be put in place;
— Hours of operation be limited to 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Saturday;
— A noxious weed plan be put in place;
— The operator make a contribution to install an air quality monitoring station on top of Columbia Park Elementary.
The ministry is already requiring RSG to put dust control and remediation plans in place, and they agreed to a council request to limit the size of the pit to two hectares at a time.
Council also directed staff to look at restricting gravel pits to areas of Revelstoke where it is permitted in the Official Community Plan. Currently, the zoning bylaw allows it in all RR60 zones, which is much broader than what the OCP calls for.
“The OCP identifies area for that land use, but the zoning bylaw doesn’t match it,” explained Dean Strachan, the city’s manager of development services.
He said the local stakeholders would be consulted before a zoning amendment is brought forward to council.
Big Eddy development permit approved
Council approved a development permit for a Big Eddy property after the applicant hired an engineer to devise a solution to get around the neighbourhood’s water issues.
Permits have been held up in the Big Eddy due to the lack of water flow through the area, though the city has maintained it would approve permits if an engineering solution was devised to meet the minimum fire flow requirements for industrial properties.
Arkel Contracting hired the firm McElhanney Consulting to engineer a solution for a proposed development at 1611 Nixon Road. McElhanney devised a system of sprinklers and fire separations for the building that allows the development to meet the fire flow requirements.
“This is exciting that they worked with an engineer to come up with a creative solution to deal with the fire flows so they could continue with their project,” commented councillor Scott Duke before council voted in favour of the permit.
Arkel Contracting plans to more than double the size of their building on the site.
Williamson Lake site plan approved
Council approved the new site plan for Williamson’s Lake park and campground.
The plan makes some significant changes to the area, including moving campsites off the beach and adding accessible pathways, and it calls for the eventual replacement of all buildings.
The Review reported on the site plan in detail in its Mar. 30 issue. It could cost up to $1.4 million if all projects went through at their highest estimated cost.
Laurie Donato, the city’s director of parks, recreation & culture, told council that their vote was simply on the plan. The individual items would be discussed when they come up during future budget discussions.
“We don’t need to decide on the buildings yet,” she said. “Right now we’re just looking at the site plan and the uses identified in the site plan.”