Regional Sustainability Strategy

"THAT staff compose a letter to the CRD which outlines the following in regard to the Regional Sustainability Strategy: The Town is concerned that the context statement language is too prescriptive and does not allow for a municipality to creatively respond to the RSS; The Town is opposed to removing water service extension restrictions and instead would support the retention of the existing RUSCSPA boundary and service restrictions; The Town is concerned that any emergency management focus should be solely on CRD assets rather than local government matters to avoid duplication of services; The Town is concerned that the Rural Settlement Lands designation as conceived will further the fragmentation of rural lands; The Town would support the development of a business case analysis to better understand the rationale and costs associated with the proposed new service areas; this approach should be considered as part of an ongoing review of existing service areas; The Town would philosophically support a regional transportation authority and is interested in exploring proposed governance models; The Town would support the retention of agricultural land within the ALR, recognizing that there are existing processes to address this issue; The Town finds many of the targets area lofty and a review of some of the proposed targets is necessary to ensure that a more pragmatic approach can be taken; and The Town would prefer a Public Hearing in the Fall rather than in August to ensure the best opportunity for public engagement."

"THAT the report dated March 5, 2015 from the Director of Development Services titled "Regional Sustainability Strategy" be received for information. AND THAT staff compose a letter to the CRD which outlines the following: The Town is concerned that the context statement language is too prescriptive and does not allow for a municipality to creatively respond to the RSS; The Town is opposed to removing water service extension restrictions and instead would support the retention of the existing RUSCSPA boundary and service restrictions); The Town is concerned that any emergency management focus should be solely on CRD assets rather than local government matters to avoid duplication of services; The Town is concerned that the Rural Settlement Lands designation as conceived will further the fragmentation of rural lands; The Town would support the development of a business case analysis to better understand the rationale and costs associated with the proposed new service areas; this approach should be considered as part of an ongoing review of existing service areas; The Town would philosophically support a regional transportation authority and is interested in exploring proposed governance models; The Town would support the retention of agricultural lands within the ALR, recognizing that there are existing processes to address this issue; The Town finds many of the targets are lofty and a review of some of the proposed targets is necessary to ensure that a more pragmatic approach can be taken; and The Town would prefer a Public Hearing in the Fall rather than in August to ensure the best opportunity for public engagement."