Mayor sets $20,000 goal
Mayor Jeff Genung is participating in the firefighter stair climb challenge this year and is well into training for the grueling event. At Monday's council meeting, Genung set a fundraising goal of $20,000. If you wish to help reach the goal, go to
Parks and Rec
The Parks and Recreation Committee's 2019 work plan includes work toward drafting two policies for council consideration.
The first is a sponsorship policy, which the committee is recommending as a possible revenue stream. The policy would outline how the town could engage in selling naming rights and sponsorships on town lands and buildings.
The second is an off-leash dog park criteria. The criteria would set out how council approves dog parks, what should be included in a dog park plan and where the parks should go. The latter was stated to be of special importance because of the contention that can arise when they are approved in residential areas.
Coun. Susan Flowers applauded the plan, but also emphasized that the town should also consider regular walking, jogging and biking areas that do not intersect with dog parks.
Sunset Ridge public hearing
The public hearing on Sunset Ridge Phase 2 and Non-Statutory Public Hearing on Sunset Ridge Phase Neighbourhood Plan 3 went before council Monday night. The phase 2 hearing was a formality to update the plan to include the annexed 40-acre of land on the north end and secondary road access.
The Neighbourhood plan was a chance for developer Melcor to update the town on plans for the future build out of Sunset Ridge, highlighting that Phase 3 can only move ahead after the secondary access has been completed and dual turning lanes constructed from Sunset Boulevard to Highway 22.
The dual turning lane caused some concern with Sunset residents, represented by Ron Gosselin at the public hearing. A complete solution, estimated at $10 million would require the twinning of Highway 22 to the interchange on Highway 1A. Plan B, which would be half the cost, would twin a small portion of Highway 22 near the intersection.
Gosselin was critical of the secondary plan saying it would do little to curb the traffic bottleneck if motorists were turning into a second lane and immediately merging back into traffic.
Melcor urged the town to work with the province or come up with funding through off-site levies to build one of the dual turn options.
Homeowners also expressed concerns regarding a proposed Community Centre that will eventually be paid through HOA fees.
As it stands, Gosselin said Melcor has not done well communicating around the issue.
Melcor’s Allan Bouchier said a lot of that communication and planning is set to happen once a Homeowner’s association is established.
