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MARCH 7, 2014
Western Financial Place marks AntiBullying Night, and those Tabby, Tabby Cats of the Hat are in town | Page 8
Rail museum > loses funding BC Arts Council cancels $30,000 in annual funding to CMRT | Page 3
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Vol. 63, Issue 45
Proudly serving Cranbrook and area since 1951
www.dailytownsman.com
City throws out new development fees
After the province turned down Cranbrook’s development cost charge bylaw, council has decided to stick with 2004 rates SALLY MACDONALD Townsman Staff
The City of Cranbrook has been forced to scrap changes to development fees after the B.C. government refused to approve the new bylaw.
At its regular council meeting on Monday, March 3, city council rescinded three readings of its Development Cost Charge Bylaw. It would have seen development cost charges (DCCs) rise, for example, from
$2,032 per home in a low density residential development to $4,289 per home. DCCs are fees that developers pay the city to cover capital construction of municipal services such as water, sewer, storm water
and roads. The new bylaw was originally given the tick of approval by council in August 2012 after a stakeholder workshop, open house and public hearing in spring and summer 2012.
Once council has given three readings to the bylaw, municipal procedure then requires the Inspector of Municipalities to approve it. However, director of engineering Jamie Hodge told council on Monday that,
after several discussions with the province, it became clear that the research the city had based its new DCCs on was outdated and the bylaw would not be approved by the Inspector. “It became very apparent that at this point, the information is dated,” said Hodge.
See DCCs, Page 4
Region hit by floods
Melting snow and rain have Cranbrook and surrounding communities awash SALLY MACDONALD Townsman Staff
BARRY COULTER PHOTO
THERE’S A NEW AVATAR IN TOWN: And his name is Percy the Penguin, brought to you by Sweet Gestures Chocolate Shoppe in Cranbrook. The local chocolatières created Percy as a donation to various organizations, and the chocolate bird has been making appearances at recent fundraising events, always appropriately kitted out depending on the event. Above: Sweet Gestures recently held a draw for a penguin with a gold hockey stick, in honour of the Canadian Olympic gold medal winning hockey team. Diane Weyman was the winner. Left to right: Chocolate lover Larry Farmer, Sweet Gestures staffer Emily Pommier, co-owner Deb Smithhurst, the walking, breathing Percy the Penguin, and co-owner Michelle Shypitka.
Cranbrook, BC – Western Financial Place
Parts of Cranbrook, Wasa, Fort Steele, Meadowbrook and Wardner are experiencing flooding after heavy snow gave way to warm temperatures and rain this week. On Thursday, March 6, the City of Cranbrook issued a statement saying that there are flooding issues that have heightened concern around the region.
Thursday, May 22nd, 2014 – 7:00pm TICKETS:
• In person at Western Financial Place Box Office • By phone at 250-426-7328 (seat) • Online at http://westernfinancialplace.ca
See FLOODS , Page 3
www. charley pride .com