Revelstoke council gave approval to several applications and other items at its meeting last Tuesday, Apr. 22. Here's a quick rundown on some of the decision they made.
Highway signs approved
New highway and road signs were given council’s stamp of approval.
The new signs were reported on in the Apr. 16 issue of the Times Review.
These are the main, large way-finding signs at the entrances to town, like the one at the intersection of Fourth Street and Townley Street, or the ones at the Trans-Canada Highway eastern and western accesses to Revelstoke. The signs were put forward by the city’s enhancement committee.
Alan Mason, the city’s director of economic development told council the signs were the result of two years’ work and deliberation by the enhancement committee, chamber of commerce, and other committees.
“There’s been lots of input from lots of stakeholders,” said Mason. “As we all know, signage can be a really subjective issue so it’s quite positive we had consensus at the enhancement committee to bring this forward to council.”
Councillor Tony Scarcella said he was happy to finally see a sign pointing the way to downtown. “Finally after 30 years, I was hoping to see a sign that says ‘Downtown, two minutes.’” he said. “It finally came.”
Vacation rental plan given OK
Support was given to a planning department initiative that would allow vacation rentals anywhere in the city, provided home owners got support from the neighbourhood and city council.
The proposal, which was first reported in the Apr. 16 issue of the Times Review, would allow a property owner to apply for a re-zoning for their home that would allow them to run it as a vacation rental, explained development services manager Dean Strachan.
To get the re-zoning, they would need to go through a public hearing, and council would be able to add conditions to the zoning application.
“What this does is allow council to develop over time a concept of what vacation rentals should look like in the community, to monitor how they’re operating and whether they’re being successfully operated or not,” said Strachan. “It doesn’t require council approve any further applications. It wouldn’t require council to grant a permit.”
The proposal was approved unanimously.
Art Centre plans approved
The Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre development permit application for an addition to the building and to re-landscape the surrounding grounds was approved by council.
The RVAC proposal is to expand the building slightly, and add an outdoor plaza, picnic tables, community garden, xeriscape garden and walkways that would connect the arts centre to Victoria Road.
The plan is to do the outdoor work first, and add the building expansion once funding is received.
“This is good news,” said councillor Linda Nixon. “This is a very successful group that works hard in the community and it will add to the gateway to Revelstoke.”
Brewery expansion given third reading
Mt. Begbie Brewery’s expansion plan got one step closer to approval after council gave third reading to an Official Community Plan amendment and re-zoning bylaw.
The brewery is looking to build a new facility on the site of an old trailer park across from the Railway Museum.
The application will now go to various other government departments for review before it comes back to council for adoption.