Proposed Building Regulations and
Fee Changes Bylaws:
The proposed DOB Building Bylaw No.128 has several Barriere specific requirements in the Prohibitions section. These requirements include Sections 3.3.1 attic ventilation using gable vents, a cupola or turbine roof ventilators; 3.3.2 snow clips on metal roofing adjacent pedestrian or vehicular areas; 3.3.3 insulated skirting for mobile homes; 3.3.4 …pot lights, LEDs, insulation and venting; and 3.3.5 PVC pipe instead of the Flexible Big “O” drainage piping where perimeter drainage is needed; as well as some definitions not addressed in the BC Building Code. It also now refers to the new 2014 DOB Zoning Bylaw No. 111, as well as requiring a DOB utility services inspection for the connection of new construction to the water and wastewater system where applicable.
In recent years, the flat “pancake’ vents have become popular along with ridge shingle venting as well as the taller turbine roof ventilators such as “Whirlybirds”. These devices provide technically adequate ventilation in low snow periods. The turbine roof ventilators seem to work even in winters with low to moderate snowfall but often the pancake and ridge vents will fail to provide adequate attic ventilation due to coverage and/or blockages if higher snowfall amounts occur. The new bylaw is therefore requiring either gable vents, a cupola, or turbine roof ventilators to ventilate the attic space. These never or rarely get covered with snow, require no maintenance, work in summer and winter and are located near the top of the gable and are found to be very efficient. A Cupola (known colloquially as a “Doghouse”) is a small structure similar in style to the main structure, located at the top of the main roof and is used to admit air flow from the soffits to the top of the attic. In the summer this cools the space and in winter removes warm moist air.
With respect to snow clips on metal roofs, falling snow from a metal roof can create a significant safety hazard particularly if the whole roof unloads at once on a pedestrian walkway or other public area. Snow clips will only be required in areas where this event may create a safety issue.
There is also a requirement for CAN/CSA certified LED lighting and adequate insulation and ventilation in the case of pot light installation. This is to ensure that the light fixture is designed not to heat through the poly pot enclosure and introduce a hot spot capable of melting through the vapour barrier.
Most of the District of Barriere new builds are in areas that require no specific perimeter drain system due to the granular nature of the soil. Some areas in the District have clay soils and require perimeter drainage. The BC Building Code acceptable Big “O” pipe has been found to be prone to crushing in these types of soils and thereby susceptible to failure.
There is a price difference between 100’ feet of Big “O” at $75.00 and 100’ of perforated PVC at $179.00. However, considering the expense down the road of dealing with the results of a failed Big “O” pipe causing moisture and mold, the cost difference at the building stage should be considered minimal. Staff are recommending this change be supported in order to further protect the home buyer.
With respect to fees, the TNRD has raised their fees for the first time since 1998. Although in the first draft of Bylaw No. 129, it was proposed to raise our fees to match TNRD’s, Council has decided not to raise our Building Permit fees after reviewing the actual costs associated with an individual permit. It is also being proposed the length of time a permit can be held and still have the surcharge refunded be increased to 3 years. Both bylaws received their first three readings.
Lions Club Community Hall Agreement:
In 2011, after discussion with the Lions Club executive during preliminary budget deliberations, council resolved, “That in the best interests of the community, council provide a basic Community Hall budget in 2011 to cover the costs of utilities, insurance and telephone and, further that a sum of $3,000 be included to begin to build a Community Hall Reserve line item from 2011 forward.” The lease agreement that was in place at that time expired in 2013.
Since then there have been further discussions with council around providing some revenue from hall use back onto the budget for ongoing maintenance and improvements. A copy of the Lease agreement that has been approved for signing can be accessed on the District of Barriere website.
BC Labour Heritage Plaques Around the Province:
At the last council meeting correspondence regarding a Heritage Plaque Program was brought forward. More information was requested by council for this meeting.
Since then Harley Wright, President of the Lower North Thompson Community Forest Society, has been speaking to a number of individuals, businesses and organizations and there appears to be an interest in putting a nomination application together for a plaque in Barriere that recognizes individuals who have lost their lives while working in the forest industry. It has been suggested it could be unveiled on April 28 the national “Day of Mourning” for workers killed on the job. The theme for the plaque project is “Remembering Working People”.
The BC Labour Heritage Centre has confirmed that there is no deadline in place for submission of a nomination form but that their next meeting to review nomination forms is in January. The cost of the plaques are between $3-5,000 each and would be 1/3 or more sponsored by the community with the rest coming from the program grant. It has been suggested that a good location for it would be adjacent the Legacy Plaque at the Barriere Bandshell either mounted on something logging related or on the wing wall surrounded by some form of related mural.
More information will be brought back to council as the project idea develops. Local government support is required for the location in the community.
From the
Mayor’s Report:
Mayor Smith, CAO Hannigan, Hilary Barnet (MOTI), Trent Folk (MOTI), Graham Schimpf (MOTI), Myles Bruns (Min. of Jobs, Tourism and Skill training) and Marie Downing (Chamber of Commerce) met pertaining to some of the signage issues that came up during the business walk. New international signage is being proposed on Highway 5 to replace the majority of the individual blue business signs.
She met with Dr. Clare regarding the third doctor at the clinic, Dr. C. Vuksic. Dr. Clare wanted to explain that Dr. Vuksic is not starting a practice in Barriere and is working strictly as an “understudy” to Dr. Marais. Therefore, any patients that Dr. Vuksic sees are actually Dr. Marais’ patients. Dr. Marais has just recently had a child and is looking to work shorter hours.
At the Thompson Regional Hospital District meeting, Dr. Curtis Bell spoke about recruitment of doctors and the difficulties around that. He also said that within the IHA area we could use 75 more doctors right away. He also pointed out that a fair number of physicians are nearing retirement age and when they do retire it will increase the shortage. Currently there are 30,000 people within the IHA that do not have a family doctor. Presentations from other IHA staff members were given regarding: Royal Inland Hospital and Rural Health Services updates and minor equipment requests. The 2016 Provisional Budget Bylaw #117 was passed and Minor Equipment Capital Bylaw #118 was also carried.