HomeMy Public PortalAboutCOW A 2014-12-18
MUNICIPALITY OF THE DISTRICT OF CHESTER
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Thursday, December 18, 2014 – 8:45 a.m.
AGENDA
1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER.
2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING:
2.1 Committee of the Whole – November 20, 2014
2.2 Committee of the Whole – December 5, 2014
3. MATTERS ARISING.
4. CORRESPONDENCE:
4.1 Presentation by Annette Collicutt, Owner/Operator of Dan’s Laundromat regarding Laundromat sewer
taxes (appointment at 9:00 a.m.)
4.2 Report from Director of Community Development dated December 11, 2014 regarding amendments to
the Nova Scotia Building Code Regulations.
a) Report from Chief Building Inspector dated November 28, 2014 regarding proposed changes
to the Nova Scotia Building Code Regulations.
b) Report from Chief Building Inspector to Director of Community Development dated December
4, 2014 regarding report commenting on the letter received from the Nova Scotia Department
of Municipal Affairs regarding the Chester Municipality Building By-Law.
4.3 Grant Request – Nova Scotia Ground Search and Rescue Association regarding sponsoring an
advertising space in their “Wildness Survival Guide”.
4.4 Correspondence from Municipality of the County of Kings dated December 4, 2014 regarding Notice of
Public Hearing.
4.5 Correspondence from NS Department of Transportation & Infrastructure Renewal dated December 1,
2014 regarding agreement for snow and ice control for Millennium Drive, Chester.
5. NEW BUSINESS:
5.1 Financial Condition Index – Director of Finance
5.2 Memo from Municipal Clerk, Director of Recreation and Parks and Communications Officer dated
December 2, 2014 regarding Results of RFP T-2014-002 Printing & Distribution Services and Award
recommendation.
5.3 Economic Development Strategy Plan Update – Senior Economic Development Officer.
5.4 Wind Turbine Performance Report – Director of Finance
6. ADJOURNMENT.
APPOINTMENTS ARRANGED
9:00 a.m. Annette Collicutt, Owner/Operator of Dan’s Laundromat regarding Laundromat sewer taxes.
In Camera following regular session under Section 22 of the MGA if required
MUNICIPALITY OF THE
DISTRICT OF CHESTER
REPORT
REPORT TO: Tammy Wilson, CAO
SUBMITTED BY: Earl Woodworth
DATE: Nov.28, 2014
SUBJECT: Proposed changes to The Nova Scotia Building Code Regulations
ORIGIN: Correspondence Submitted to Warden
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CURRENT SITUATION:
Council has received notification of changes to the Nova Scotia Building Code Regulations. This report
summarizes the changes and notes the impact of the proposed changes
RECOMMENDATION:
That council receive the report as information
BACKGROUND:
The province, from time to time, makes amendments to the Nova Scotia Building Code Regulations. As
required by the Building Code Act, the Province is required to provide formal notice of proposed
amendments.
DISCUSSION:
This following changes are proposed:
- Add a Letter of Undertaking, “Resource Conservation-Energy “. This is a document that is
provided, when required, by the architect or engineer of a project. The document provides the
Authority Having Jurisdiction (i.e. the Building Official) with professional certification for
energy conservation measures incorporated in large buildings.
- Amendments to mirror existing requirements made under the Fire Safety Act for plans to be
submitted to The Office of The Fire Marshal (OFM). This helps to clarify the local authority’s
obligation to inform a property owner when plans have to be sent to the OFM for review. It also
helps to clarify the owner’s responsibility to provide plans to the OFM for review. The
requirement for review by the OFM only impacts specific occupancy classifications and
conditions.
- Correct minor editorial errors and rectify minor omissions in the Regulations currently in force.
Such changes are considered to be housekeeping amendments and do not have a significant
impact on process, procedure or intent.
The changes have been recommended by the Nova Scotia Building Advisory Committee, a group
representing the private sector building community, as well as the public sector.
A summary of the proposed changes were provided in an oral report to the Building and Unsightly
Premises Committee earlier this year. At this time, the Province is providing notification of the proposed
changes and are not requesting comments. There is nothing contained in the proposal that would raise
concern or objection by the Building Official.
IMPLICATIONS:
Please provide general overview of implications in this cell.
1 Policy:
No changes or impact on policy
2 Financial/Budgetary:
n/a
3 Environmental:
n/a
4 Strategic Plan:
n/a
5 Work Program Implications
n/a
ATTACHMENTS:
A copy of the letter from Municipal Affairs and the ‘Summary of Changes ‘is enclosed. The DRAFT copy
of the Regulations is available upon request.
OPTIONS:
Receive for information.
Prepared BY Earl Woodworth Date Nov. 28, 2014
Reviewed BY Tara Maguire Date Nov. 28, 2014
Authorized BY Date
MUNICIPALITY OF THE
DISTRICT OF CHESTER
REQUEST FOR DIRECTION
REPORT TO: Allen Webber, Warden and Members of Committee of the Whole
SUBMITTED BY: Earl Woodworth
DATE: Dec. 04, 2014
SUBJECT: Report commenting on the letter received from the NS
Department of Municipal Affairs regarding the Chester
Municipality Building By-law
ORIGIN: Sept 2014 Council Meeting
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CURRENT SITUATION/ BACKGROUND
In the spring of 2012 I tasked Rick Casavant, the Assistant Building Inspector, to review the Municipal
Building By-Law and to recommend any updates or changes. Rick had been involved with the Town of
Lunenburg when they updated their by-law and was familiar with other Municipal/ Town Building By-
laws through his research. Rick and I crafted the revised By-law in conjunction with the Municipal
Solicitor, Sam Lamey and the revised edition was presented to Council and became effective on October
17, 2012.
We have recently received a letter from the NS Dept. of Municipal Affairs noting two issues with our By-
law we may wish to address. I recently spoke with the Provincial Building Code Coordinator, Ted Ross,
about the letter and although he could not speak to our specific letter he did provide some insight.
Basically two items of concern were noted:
1) The wording of our definition of “material alteration” and “material repair” to include all
repairs in excess of $5,000.00.
This, I believe, was taken directly from our previous by-law. The concern is that it may
be interpreted as requiring a Building Permit for work in excess of $5,000.00 which may
not meet the definitions. This would include normal maintenance work or repairs due to
age or normal wear which cost may exceed the limit stated. This may include such work
as replacing or repairing roof shingles, siding, windows, flooring, cabinets, etc. Although
this was not our intent and we have generally not required Permits for this type of work
in the past the concern was expressed.
Included in the letter was a decision made by the NS Building Code Advisory Committee
in a situation where a Building Inspector required a Permit for the replacement of roof
shingles in excess of the $5,000.00 value. Even though the value far exceeded the limit
the Advisory Committee determined that this work did not meet the definition of “material
alteration” or “material repair” but constituted normal maintenance work.
2) The fact that many of the provisions in our By-law mirror the NS Building Code
Regulations may lead to confusion or inconsistencies.
In my conversation with Ted Ross he did not seem overly concerned with this and I
explained we had intentionally done this to streamline our by-law and avoid confusion.
We are legally able to deviate from the requirements of the NS Building Code Regulations
provided we are not inconsistent with them. Mr. Ross felt that if we reviewed both the
Regulations and By-law on a scheduled basis we could avoid any conflict. This should be
easily done as the Municipality is notified whenever changes are made to the Regulations.
RECOMMENDATION:
1) I would recommend we consult with the Municipal solicitor to find acceptable wording to
modify the by-law so as to avoid confusion. Possibly the addition of a statement exempting and
defining “normal maintenance”.
2) I would recommend leaving the wording as is but insure the By-law is reviewed on an annual
basis.
ATTACHMENTS:
Copy of the letter received from the NS Dept. of Municipal Affairs
OPTIONS:
List options here.
Prepared BY Earl Woodworth Date Dec. 04, 2014
Reviewed BY Tara Maguire Date December 11, 2014
Authorized BY Tammy Wilson Date December 11, 2014
MUNICIPALITY OF THE
DISTRICT OF CHESTER
REPORT
REPORT TO: Council
SUBMITTED BY: Marianne Gates
DATE: December 11 , 2014
SUBJECT: Economic Development Strategic Plan Update
ORIGIN: Request from council
Goal #6
The Municipality will promote
conditions conducive to fostering
economic prosperity.
The Strategic Goals for the MODC include:
1. Become a Partner in Economic Development
2. Become Investment Ready – Back to Basics
3. Be Open for Business
4. Live, Work and Play - Become the South Shore Community that Stands Out
5. Focus on Growing the MODC’s Economic Sectors
6. Keep Working Hard to Become a Known Tourism Destination.
1. Objective: The Municipality of the District of Chester will invest in a dedicated
Economic Development program and continue to work with local and regional
stakeholders to ensure the MODC is fully engaged as a committed partner in Economic
Development. The main goal of the MODC Economic Development program is to
promote conditions conducive to fostering economic prosperity.
Initiative Activity Others
1. Continue to work with partners to
shape the Regional Enterprise
Network 2 (REN2).
CAO,
Warden
2. Why Here • Met with steering
committee on regular
basis.
• Steering Committee
provided guidance to
Shelburne to bring into
Why Here
• Holding for REN
3. Tourism: regional
tourism marketing
• Signage Working
Group met to
determine if signage
could be mandated by
MODC. Province
looking at provincial
signage program.
• Worked with Bluenose
Coast to install way-
finding signage in
Village of Chester and
Hubbards.
• Working with Ad-hoc
industry group
(Hubbards- Shelburne)
to plan for 2015
• Working with
Lunenburg groups to
form Events Lunenburg
County and begin to
attract events to the
county.
2. Objective: The Municipality will work with the local business community, local land owners
and partners in economic development to ensure the MODC has all the tools and
infrastructure required to retain and attract local investment opportunities.
Initiative Activity Others
1. Establish an investment inquiry
protocol to ensure all inquiries and
opportunities are responded to
effectively and efficiently.
Staff directed to direct
economic inquires to ED Officer
All staff
2. Create an industrial and employment
land/building inventory to track
available buildings and properties. The
inventory should include location, size
of land/buildings, permitted uses,
owner’s name and contact information,
prices, terms of any sale or leasing
agreement (if applicable).
Not started.
3. Work with the Nova Scotia Business
Inc. to get a sense of the investment
requirements.
Met with NSBI
4. Prepare a business case (if there are
demonstrated or obvious gaps in the
inventory in terms of available land or
buildings) examining opportunities to
provide additional buildings and
serviced employment lands – privately
or publically owned – for investment
attraction purposes
RFP for industrial park study
issued Oct/14
5. Conduct a complete review of the
Municipality of the District of Chester
Municipal Planning Strategy and
accompanying Land Use Bylaw. In
terms of industrial and employment
land development, utilize the results of
the industrial and employment land
business case to identify the most
ideal strategic location of commercial
and industrial zones (both rural and
urban). Include new zones for
industrial and employment park
location and development, while at the
same time limiting as-of-right industrial
and commercial uses in the General
Rural zoning.
Plan review started. Planning
6. Update statistics and data for the
MODC focusing on current year
data/estimates and MODC labour shed.
Participated in regional labour
study
7. Prepare a MODC Value Proposition
report and package that would
include:
a. Community Profile
b. Target Sector Analysis
c. Needs Gap/Competitive
Analysis.
Working on this to be combined
with new branding.
8. Prepare a template proposal for
responding to investment inquiries.
Have a “starting a business
guide”. Will be on line on
website.
9. Complete and implement a marketing
and communication strategy that
should include:
- An economic development brand for
the MODC
- A website specific to MODC economic
development – linked and/or branded
with the REN2 website
- Marketing collateral including a
Community Profile and Quick Facts to
be made available online, in digital and
hard copy formats
- A social media campaign.
Branding planned for early 2015
Website development on going.
10. Continually ensure municipal
infrastructure is strategically located to
take advantage of new economic
development/investment opportunities
(ie. water, sewer, roads, etc.).
Council,
staff
11. Rebrand the Kaizer Meadow “Eco Park”
as an opportunity for both “Green
Businesses” as well as more traditional
industries such as manufacturing and
processing.
To be included in industrial
study
12. Continue creating a marketing
program for Kaizer Meadow and
ensure Kaizer Meadow is included in all
investment attraction related
marketing material
Not started.
3. Objective: The Municipality will work with the local business community and partners in
economic development to ensure the MODC becomes a place where existing businesses thrive
and new business are welcomed and given the best opportunity to succeed.
Initiative Activity Others
1. Establish an MODC point of
contact for all business inquires.
Staff directed to direct economic
inquires to ED Officer
2. Develop and update an MODC
business directory
Working with Chamber
3. Work with the local business
community to determine better
ways to serve MODC businesses
and industries.
• Regular meetings with chamber
and chamber staff
• Worked with chamber on events
• Attend Village Merchant
meetings. Planning facility a
strategic planning session with
this group in Jan 2015
• Regular contact with HABA
• Explored Village Core water
project
• Looking at signage for 3
farmers markets
• Working with Chamber to
organize a business conference
in early 2015
4. Connect with the MODC
business community by
undertaking a business
retention and expansion
program customized
specifically for the MODC.
Implement any
recommendations arising from
the business visitation and
BR&E programs.
• Conduct regular business visits
• 38 Conducted to date
5. Partner with the Chamber
of Commerce and other
business groups to
conduct an annual MODC
business awards and
recognition program that
would include businesses
from the entire MODC.
• Promote LQ Business Awards
to MODC businesses
4. Objective: The Municipality of the District of Chester understands that building a well-
planned, well maintained and attractive community will attract people to live, work and
play in the community. The MODC will work hard with their community and economic
development partners to create the community that stands out among other South Shore
communities.
Initiative Activity Others
1. When completing the update of the
MODC Municipal Planning Strategy and
Land Use Bylaw consider the use of
Smart Growth principles
Council, CD Staff
2. Undertake a long range financial
management plan.
Council
3. Undertake an asset management plan
where any future infrastructure funding
decisions will be informed from the
asset management plan.
Council
4. As a part of the MODC marketing and
communication strategy, include
residential attraction as a target
audience.
Communications
5. Objective: The Municipality will work with existing businesses and industrial sector
partners to assist in promotion of select sectors in order to grow, strengthen and expand
the MODC’s business community.
Initiative Activity Others
1. As part of the MODC
marketing strategy, develop
marketing, promotional and
feature sheets to attract
investments in the emerging
industrial sectors.
• Niche Agriculture:
Working with regional
partners to organize and
agriculture day in March
2015
• Supported SMART Tree
Project
• Working with New Ross
Food Project
• Working with climate data
study group to have
marketing materials for
business attraction
2. Rebrand and promote Kaizer
Meadows as an industrial/business
park with unique attributes such as
high-tech landfill, recycling facilities,
and onsite water treatment
No started KM Staff
Communications
6. Objective: The Municipality will work with its partners in tourism to become a more
recognizable tourism destination by focusing on tourism infrastructure development,
product development and marketing.
Initiative Activity Others
1. Continue to work closely with partners
to develop the mandate of the REN2
and consider rolling the existing
functions of the Bluenose Coast into the
REN2.
• Working with VIC partners Warden, CAO
2. Assist potential investors and
developers with specific tourism
projects and encourage tourism
investment within the MODC.
• Working regionally
3. Work with local and regional partners to
undertake a regional tourism strategy.
REN
4. Continue with the development of the
Arts, Culture and Heritage asset
inventory and map. Use this background
information as a basis for the Cultural-
Heritage strategic plan.
Not started
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