Village Projects & Initiatives

Boundary Extension Open Houses

Wednesday, April 25, 2018
6pm-8pm
Signal Hill Elementary School, 1410 Portage Road

• Open House Storyboards
• Open House Feedback Form
  
  

Tuesday, May 15, 2018
6pm-8pm
Signal Hill Elementary School, 1410 Portage Road

• Open House Storyboards
• Open House Powerpoint Presentation
• Open House Feedback Form
• Updated Calculators
  • Residential | Farm Status (Class 9) | Commercial

BOUNDARY EXTENSION REPORTS, PRESENTATIONS & NOTES

• Open House Storyboards (May 15th)
• Open House Powerpoint Presentation (May 15th)
• Open House Feedback Form (May 15th)
• Frequently Asked Questions (May 9th Edition)
• Boundary Extension Presentation (May 8, 2018 Meeting)
• Boundary Extension Open House Storyboards (April 25, 2018 Meeting)
• Boundary Extension Open House Feedback Form (April 25, 2018)
• Boundary Extension Tax Calculator - Residential (Excel Spreadsheet)
• Boundary Extension Tax Calculator - Farm Status (Excel Spreadsheet)
• Council Presentation Update by Urban Systems (April 24, 2018)
• Council Presentation by Urban Systems (April 10, 2018)
• Letter to SLRD Area C Residents
• Boundary Extension Frequently Asked Questions

Village of Pemberton Boundary Expansion - Process Outline

STAGE 1 - MUNICIPAL STEPS

STAGE 2 - SUBMISSION TO MINISTRY

STAGE 3 - MINISTRY CONSIDERATION

STAGE 4 - STATUTE ADVERTISING

STAGE 5 - IMPLEMENTATION

Timeline:  December 2016 - July 2018

Current Status:  Consultation is underway for the DRAFT Zoning and Sign Bylaws

Project Background:  The current Zoning Bylaw No. 466, 2001 has been amended from time to time within the last 15 years including some major revisions relating to new residential developments.  The Village underwent a review and adoption of its Official Community Plan (Bylaw No. 654, 2011) several years ago which included new policies that must be incorporated into the zoning provisions. The Village is experiencing growth and development of home-based businesses and businesses involved in the sharing economy – technology driven businesses that did not exist and were never contemplated when the original bylaw was adopted.

The Village’s Sign Bylaw No. 380, 1995 has never been amended, and despite being twenty years old and on the Village’s work plan for several years, it has never been reviewed or updated.   There has been much confusion and non-compliance with the Sign Bylaw that has come to light in the last few years. The Village is committed to undertaking a thorough review of the Sign Bylaw, including recommendations from the Chamber of Commerce and business owners on how to better reflect today’s marketing practices.

Project Details:  The project will incorporate a community and stakeholder engagement component which will be announced once the program timeline has been confirmed.

Contact Information: For project-related questions, please contact Lisa Pedrini, Village of Pemberton Planner at 604.894.6135 or by email. 

Consultation Documents

Download the DRAFT Zoning Bylaw

Download the DRAFT Zoning Map (Overall)

Download the DRAFT Zoning Map (Neighbourhoods)

Download the DRAFT Sign Bylaw

Draft Zoning Bylaw Storyboards (from the April 17th Feedback Meeting)

Download the Sign Bylaw Storyboards (from the April 17th Feedback Meeting)

Take the Online Survey to Provide Your Feedback

Be sure to provide your feedback before May 11, 2018.

Related Documents

Zoning & Sign Bylaw Information Presentation

380 Sign Bylaw (subject of review)

466 Consolidation of Zoning Bylaw (subject to review)

2016 Zoning Bylaw & Sign Bylaw Review

Village of Pemberton Zoning Map

Zoning & Sign Bylaw Update Information

Timeline: The project is estimated to be completed by late fall 2019.

Current Status:  Finalizing design concepts

Rehabilitating Pemberton's downtown core is a locally and regionally significant initiative that will consist of essential upgrades to failing infrastructure and key improvements related to roads, sidewalks, waterlines, stormwater and street lighting. The proposed project scope includes:

• rehabilitating downtown roads and sidewalks using recycled asphalt from Frontier, Aster and Prospect Streets, where possible;
• reducing the impervious surfaces to allow for stormwater infiltration and reduced overall runoff;
• decommissioning the AC watermain and replacing it with PVC piping;
• creating a downtown stormwater system focused on green infrastructure, such as infiltration swales and recycling of runoff for irrigation purposes; and
• improving pedestrian safety by installing LED street lighting. 
• Beautifying downtown with the addition of greenspace and trees

The proposed project will address the following issues:

• Presently the highly used roads in our downtown core are suffering from potholes, significant crack failures, visible patches and rutting.
• Sidewalks are very narrow and uneven in some sections, and completely absent in others. This poses a safety hazard as it forces pedestrians onto the road, increasing the risk of a pedestrian and vehicle collision.
• The potential for a failure of the waterlines represents a significant financial cost to the Village with respect to any associated emergency repairs and revenue losses within the community related to property damage and interruption of business.
• The waterlines provide inadequate fireflows, which is a safety concern from a risk management perspective.
• The current stormwater system is ill equipped to manage the seasonal flows in our valley, which is prone to occasional flooding.

Rationale

Investing in the rehabilitation and revitalization of Pemberton's downtown core will create a welcoming and vibrant space, encourage investment, support our existing businesses and accommodate future growth and development. Meanwhile, investing in the replacement of our aging infrastructure with innovative stormwater technologies, such as redirecting and recycling runoff for irrigation purposes, allowing for infiltration swales and expanding permeable surfacing will assist in preparing for the imminent impacts of climate change.

Timeline: The Friendship Trail Bridge Project will be completed in 2018.

Current Status:  The Village of Pemberton was awarded $500,000 from the BikeBC Program for the Friendship Trail Bridge. The bridge design and construction drawings have been completed. Due to increased construction costs, we have experienced a delay in the project. Therefore, to ensure the Village receives the best value for money, we will be issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the construction and installation of the bridge. The RFP was issued in March 2018, and closes on April 17, 2018.  Once the construction schedule has been confirmed, we will share the timeline with the community. The project is slated to be completed in 2018.

Project Background: The Friendship Trail Bridge is part of the Friendship Trail, which is part of the Sea to Sky Trail and Trans Canada Trail. The aim of the Friendship Trail and Bridge is to provide a linear, safe connection between the Village, Plateau Neighbourhood, future recreation site and Lil’wat Nation.   In turn, detering commuters from accessing the Village core by Highway 99.

Project Details: The scope of the project includes the design and installation of a pedestrian/cycling/equestrian bridge on the south side of the Lillooet River, adjacent to Highway 99.

Contact Information: For project-related questions, please contact Tim Harris, Operations & Development Services Manager at 604.894.6135 or by email. 

Related Documents

Download the Friendship Trail Bridge Storyboards (April 11th Info Session)

Download the Project Update | Friendship Trail Bridge (September 2017)

Timeline:  2018-2019

Current Status: The first step is to determine if the field will be turf or sod. The Village will need to consider construction costs, playing hours and required maintenance for both options when determining which playing surface to move forward with. To assist with this, the Village issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) which is intended to shortlist potential soccer field developers before seeking detailed bids. This step will enable us to determine which playing surface will be most appropriate, considering costs, play time and maintenance. Once we have shortlisted the proposals and have determined the type of playing field we require, a proponent will be selected to design and build the field. In the meantime, fill has been placed on site in preparation for soccer fields which was secured through a Community Amenity Contribution from The Ridge Development. Our goal is to begin field construction in 2018.

Project Background: The proposed outdoor soccer field will be located on the designated recreation lands, approximately 3 kilometers from downtown, off Pemberton Farm Road East. The Village was gifted the lands specifically for recreation purposes by the Den Duyf family. The site is intended to accommodate future recreation facilities, outdoor fields and parking. This land is situated along the Friendship Trail enabling residents to access the site by bike and by foot and is proximate to residents of the Village of Pemberton, SLRD Area C, and Lil’wat Nation.

Contact Information: For project-related questions, please contact the Village Office at 604.894.6135

Current Status: The Mount Currie Landslide Risk Assessment (“Assessment”) is now complete.

The Assessment, conducted by BGC Engineering Inc. (“BGC”), was conducted to determine landslide and associated flood risk from the north face of Mount Currie, including risk to life, buildings, critical facilities, business activities, power and communication lines.

The Assessment has confirmed areas of instability that could result in small rockfall events and rare, but large-scale rock slope failures.

Due to Mount Currie’s size and the number of source zones for rockfalls, the Assessment states that engineered mitigation options are not feasible.

As a result, BGC has recommended monitoring as the most practical and cost-effective approach to risk management. The Assessment also recommends that land use be restricted in part or all of the areas modeled for rock avalanches, as any increase in development density would increase the population at risk.

Download the Mount Currie Landslide Risk Assessment.

• January 18, 2018 – News release: Mount Currie Landslide Risk Assessment Complete
• Mount Currie Landslide Hazard - Map
• January 18, 2018 – Frequently Asked Questions

Please join Elected Officials and staff from Líl’wat Nation, Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) and Village of Pemberton for a presentation of the findings of the Mount Currie Landslide Risk Assessment at one of two Community Information Meetings:

Each meeting will include a presentation by BGC Engineering, followed by a Question and Answer session.  

Background

Observed rock fall from Mt Currie has increased in the past few years, and was confirmed by an initial Information Note, "2016 Mount Currie Rock Fall and Local Instabilities," prepared by engineering staff from the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (MFLNRORD) in October 2016. The Information Note identified concerns regarding potential instability along the Mount Currie Ridge and the subsequent potential impacts to Pemberton Valley residents. 

The Information Note states that "although rock falls of the recent size do not pose a risk to valley residents, the exposure of larger volumes of unsupported bedrock potentially could result in rock fall events that do pose a risk to valley residents." Given this, MFLNRORD recommended that a detailed analysis be undertaken to determine the potential types and size of landsides that might occur, and to determine the actual risk to the public. 

Shortly after receiving the Information Note, officials from the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD), Village of Pemberton and Lil'wat Nation requested funding from the Province to move forward immediately on the report's recommendation to secure a more detailed geo-technical analysis to quantify the hazard, evaluate the risk, and recommend potential risk reduction options. 

Funding for the study was confirmed in early December 2016, and a multi-agency steering committee with representatives from the SLRD, Village of Pemberton, Líl’wat Nation, EMBC and MFLNRO was convened shortly thereafter. On February 3, 2017 the SLRD, acting as an agent for and under the authority of the Province of B.C., issued a Request for Proposals regarding the work, and BGC Engineering was selected by the Steering Committee to conduct the work.

The project included kinematic rock analysis, landslide runout modelling and both quantitative and qualititative risk assessment parameters to the standards set out by the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of B.C. A review of existing data on Mount Currie was conducted along with field survey work, including aerial, ground and seismic surveys.

Background information & resources

• October 24, 2016 MFLNRO Information Note - 2016 Mount Currie Rock Fall and Local Instabilities
• November 25, 2016 Joint News Release - Local Officials Advised of Updated Hazard Potential from Mount Currie Rockfall
• December 2, 2016 – Joint News Release: Funding Secured for Mount Currie Rock Fall Hazard Report
• February 3, 2017 - Request for Proposals: Quantitative Landslide Risk Assessment, Kinematic Rock Analysis and Landslide Runout Modelling - Mt. Currie

Timeline: Fall 2016 - Spring 2017

Current Status: Follow up Phase

Related Documents & Reports 

• Report to Council  - Water Treatment & Soda Ash Project (April 24, 2018)
• Water Conditioning Project Update (April 2018)

To view all related documents and reports, visit the Pemberton Water page.

System Start up Phase May 8th - 12th

During this phase, the system will be turned on and tested intermittently, and soda ash will begin to be injected into the system.

Commissioning Phase (15 days) May 12th - 31st

During this phase, staff will be running and monitoring the system consistently to ensure it maintains a stable pH level. If the level is maintained, monitoring will move to the Optimization Phase.

Optimization Phase (maximum of 3 months)

Once a stable pH has been established, staff will be monitoring pH and alkalinity levels throughout the distribution system on a weekly basis. The Village will also undertake regularly scheduled watermain flushing to purge the distribution system during this period. Throughout the Optimization Phase, staff will be sampling five locations within the water distribution system to monitor pH, alkalinity, copper, iron and lead. Staff will adjust the pH dosage accordingly based on the results of the sampling. The system will then be calibrated to maintain a pH level that achieves optimal results in reducing corrosion.

Follow up Phase (maximum of 6 months)

Staff will continue to monitor the system and carry out weekly testing for pH and alkalinity throughout our distribution system. At the end of the six months, if our results are within the Health Canada Corrosion Control Guidelines, we will move to the Operational Phase. If results are not within the Guidelines, the Village will consider corrosion inhibitors.

Operational Phase

Once the Follow up phase is completed, yearly sampling will be implemented for lead, pH, alkalinity, copper and iron during summer months. The Village will continue to work with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) to confirm the required long-term routine testing schedule. It should be noted VCH continues to recommend flushing throughout the entire VCH region regardless if water treatment exists in municipal water systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the water conditioning system be up and running?

Once the injection system has been activated, our Operators will begin to add increments of soda ash to the system and then test the water before it reaches the distribution system. Once it’s had an opportunity to circulate through the system, pH and alkalinity will be continually monitored. Should the pH levels need to increase for optimal corrosion control, the Operators will add more soda ash and continue to test until optimal pH levels have been achieved.

Once the ideal soda ash dosage has been achieved, the system will need to run for one to two weeks to circulate the soda ash (at the appropriate level) to realize the optimum results of achieving pH levels between 7.5-9.5, which is an acceptable range according to the Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines.

Do I need to flush once the soda ash implementation has begun?

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) recommends that all water system users should flush their water, regardless of the quality. While the Village’s water will not be considered corrosive after treatment implementation, it’s almost impossible to know what infrastructure each household has and what condition it is in. Houses with fittings, fixtures and/or pipes that contain lead could still result in increased metals in tap water, even though the water is being treated for corrosion control.

So, for optimal water quality out of the tap, VCH is recommending that everyone in their region flush their taps until the water turns cold in the morning prior to consumption.
Flushing isn’t just about controlling metals in drinking water; it’s also good practice for getting fresh from your tap, rather than drinking stagnant water that has sat in household pipes for longer durations. To conserve water, you can use your ‘first draw’ water from the tap for watering houseplants or washing dishes.

Project Background

To treat the low pH and alkalinity of the Village drinking water, the Village is installing a Soda Ash conditioning system.  The implementation of the soda ash system is estimated to cost roughly $560,000.  This has been allocated from Water Reserves and Community Works Gas Tax Funds, a yearly grant delivered to all local governments in British Columbia to support local priorities. The installation of the system is not anticipated to result in an increase in Utility rates at this time.

The annual cost to operate the conditioning system is estimated at $45,000 per year. This cost will be included in future water service budgets; in 2016 a prorated amount of $25,000 has been allocated as approved in the 2016 - 2020 Five-Year Financial Plan.

Download the May 2017 Water Update

Project Details: The project scope includes underground works, the expansion of the well house in Pioneer Park and the installation of the soda ash injection system.

Contact Information:  For project-related questions, please contact Tim Harris, Operations & Development Services Manager at 604.894.6135 or by email. 

Timeline: Summer 2017

Current Status: Consultation regarding Short Term Vacation Rentals has been completed.  The findings will be considered during the Zoning Bylaw Update, anticipated to be completed by December 2017.

Project Background: The Village of Pemberton began the review of the Zoning Bylaw in January 2017. As per the Terms of Reference for this project, one of the key parts of the Review was to research zoning approaches used by other municipalities to address unregulated vacation, nightly and/or short term rentals through online accommodation booking sites such as Airbnb and VRBO and to assist with drafting new content around provisions to regulate vacation and short term rentals in Pemberton.

Project Detail: In March 2017, staff began initial public engagement on general aspects to be covered by the Zoning Bylaw and Sign Bylaw Review. These efforts included questions pertaining to resident’s opinions on a variety of topics as well as the issue of short term vacation rentals. The results of this initial round of public consultation has been used to inform the development of draft bylaws that staff are currently reviewing and which will be presented to the public via an Open House to be scheduled this fall. However, before the draft can be completed, staff wanted to seek targeted input on the short term vacation rentals issue in order to develop clear regulations in the new Zoning Bylaw.

In July 2017, staff contracted with the Whistler Centre for Sustainability to provide assistance with public engagement over this issue. Dan Wilson, Sustainability Planner with the Centre, has helped a number of BC communities determine a course of action to address short term vacation rentals through community engagement, and his expertise was felt to be a benefit to this process.

The Centre developed and facilitated a public engagement process consisting of key stakeholder interviews, three public information sessions and an online survey. To inform the process, the Centre developed three background briefs which were circulated during the information sessions and posted on the Village website. Over the months of July and August 2017, the Centre, with staff assistance, held a number of public information gathering sessions, interviewed key stakeholders and conducted an on-line survey to garner feedback from residents both opposed and in support of the operation of  homes as short term vacation rentals. Village staff also offered to host small group discussions on the topic but none were requested.

Contact Information: For project-related questions, please contact Lisa Pedrini, Senior Planner at 604.894.6135 x234 or by email. 

Related documents:

Short Term Rentals | Current Situation Briefing

Short Term Rentals | Practices Briefing

Short Term Vacation Rentals, What's the Deal? | Meeting Slideshow

Short Term Vacation Rentals Engagement Summary Report

Timeline: 2017-2018

Current Status: Currently pursuing a Partnership Agreement with First Nations

Project Background:  In 2001, Village Council  took  into  consideration the  changes  that  were taking place in the Forest Industry at the time and determined it would be prudent to investigate the possibility of establishing a Community Forest in the Pemberton area.   In 2005 the Ministry of Forests issued a press release in which the Village of Pemberton along with the RMOW and District of Squamish were invited to apply for a five year probationary community forest licence that would provide up to 10,000 m3 of timber annually.   Although application was not made at that time there continued to be interest in pursuing this initiative and over the years the Village has met with Ministry officials to discuss the Community Forest program, understand the 2007 timber supply analysis and consider partnership opportunities.

In 2014, due to renewed interest Council determined that it would be useful to better understand the feasibility of pursuing this initiative.  In 2015, a request for proposal was issued by the Village  for a study to explore the feasibility of entering into a Community Forest Agreement with the Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resources Operations.   Over the past number of years there have been numerous discussions with Provincial representatives and some preliminary research has been completed. The aim of the study was to learn about the  potential benefits of a entering into a Community Forest Agreement include establishing forest stewardship over the lands surrounding the Village; facilitating potential recreation opportunities and protecting those that are already in place; and social and economic benefits to the community through potential job creation and retention.

In 2016, the Community Forest Feasibility Study was completed and presented to Council in March.  The Study outlined the process to make application and provided information of the potential costs and benefits to undertaking this project and options for partnerships.  An opportunity to partner with Lil’wat Nation was presented and in December Council resolved to enter into negotiations with Lil’wat Forest Ventures to establish a Partnership Agreement to operate a Community Forest.

Project Details:  A Community Forest can be described as any forestry operation managed by a local government, community group, First Nation or community-held corporation for the benefit of the entire community. Community forestry involves the three pillars of sustainable development: social, ecological, and economic sustainability. At its core, community forestry is about local control over and enjoyment of the benefits offered by local forest resources.

A Community Forest Agreement is a process by which the province transfers decision-making to communities that have a desire to have a greater influence and participate in the stewardship of their local landbase.  Community Forest tenures are area-based thereby giving the holders of that tenure exclusive stewardship of a geographic area of forest land over an agreed upon term. 

Next Steps: It is anticipated that the preparation of the partnership agreement will take several months;  At the same time the Village along with Lil’wat Forest Ventures will prepare the background information required to make application to the Ministry for a Community Forest Licence.  This will include the development of a Forest Management Plan, Stewardship Management Plan, reforestation plan, business plan all of which will be presented at public meetings prior to submission.  The aim is to submit the application in early 2018.

Contact information:  For project related questions, please contact Sheena Fraser, Manager of Corporate & Legislative Services at 604.894.6135 or by email at sfraser @ pemberton.ca.

Current Status: The One Mile Lake Park Master Plan has been completed and adopted by Council.

Download the One Mile Lake Park Master Plan

This infographic displays a snapshot of survey results collected last fall. More findings will be presented at the One Mile Lake Park Master Plan Open House, February 29, 2016, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at the Pemberton & District Community Centre, Room B. Everyone is invited to stop by, view the consultation results and other findings to date, and comment on future options.

Project Background:  The Village of Pemberton is re-initiating the update of the One Mile Lake Park Master Plan as a means to revise and improve upon the current plan, given that many of the directions contained in the 2005 Plan have been addressed. This Master Plan Update process was initiated in 2013; however, other commitments of the Development Services Department and eventual staff changes prevented the completion of the One Mile Lake Park Master Plan Update as anticipated.

In the spring of 2015, the Village of Pemberton Council highlighted the completion of the One Mile Lake Park Master Plan as a corporate priority. The One Mile Lake Park Master Plan will entail extensive public engagement and will be a tool for guiding the land use and opportunities/constraints of the park for the next 10 years in a manner that will contribute to an improved quality of experience for its users, as well as the protection of its overall environmental sustainability.

For more information, please see Terms of Reference,  Consultation Plan and the  One Mile Lake Environmental Conditions Report.

Contact Information: For information on the One Mile Lake Park Master Plan, please contact Lisa Pedrini, Planner at 604.894.6135 x234 or by email at lpedrini @ pemberton.ca.

Current Status:  The Triple Pumper Truck has been purchased and is in operation.

On December 30, 2015, Village Council adopted the "Triple Combination Pumper Truck Loan Authorization Borrowing Bylaw No. 795, 2015" enabling the borrowing of a sum not exceeding $533,536 to be repaid over a maximum of twenty (20) years.

Based on the 2014 taxation rates, the annual debt service cost represents approximately $4.33 per $100,000 of assessed property value for residential properties.

It should be noted that taxpayers have been paying $3.94 per $100,000 assessed property value for a previously purchased fire truck, which will be paid off in 2016. Once the debt for the previously purchased truck is retired, taxes will go up approximately $0.40 per $100,000 assessed value relative to what they were previously paying to purchase the new fire truck.

Pursuant to Section 86 of the Community Charter, the Village of Pemberton conducted an alternative approval process to gain the assent of the electors prior to the adoption of the Loan Authorization Bylaw. As less than 10% of the electors in the Village of Pemberton signed and submitted Elector Response Forms by 4:00 p.m. on December 29, 2015, electoral approval was received.

To learn more about the Triple Combination Pumper Truck and the loan authorization alternative approval process, view the "Get the Facts" information sheet. 

If you have any questions about the Village of Pemberton Triple Combination Pumper Truck Loan Authorization Bylaw, please contact the Manager of Finance & Administrative Services, Lena Martin, at 604-894-6135 ext. 225 or lmartin@pemberton.ca