樱桃视频property owners must now submit site alteration applications if they want to remove trees or soil, and the process will cost them. But the result will be a stop to indiscriminate land clearing.
The District of 樱桃视频adopted the site alteration bylaw on Tuesday (June 28) despite protests from councillors Corinne Lonsdale and Raj Kahlon.
The bylaw is meant to maintain as much nature as possible, said Coun. Dave Fenn. But the it hasn't had enough time to circulate through the community, said Lonsdale, who's motion to refer it to next council meeting was opposed.
"I don't necessarily disagree with it," said Lonsdale. "But we need time between now and adopting the bylaw to explain it."
Lonsdale criticized council for acting in contrary to its mandate.
"This council ran on a platform of making things easier," she said. "This will add one more level of bureaucracy."
Site alteration applications must include, among other information, a topographic plan, runoff calculations in accordance with the subdivision and development control bylaw, an erosion and sediment control plan as well as the locations of areas to be altered along with volumes of cut and fill indicated.
Kahlon said he also opposed the bylaw.
"Clearcut, nobody wants it," said Kahlon. "But this will add to cost, it's annoying process, I won't support it."
A site alteration permit will cost landowners $250 with a reconsideration by council costing $125. That's on top of the cost of hiring an arborist to assess the property.
Acting mayor Sonja Lebans said that a bylaw of this kind is not unique to 樱桃视频and in fact it's common for municipalities to have site alteration bylaws.
"Being able to say what you'll do on a property is not onerous," she said.
The bylaw applies to all land in the district with some exceptions and landowners with hazardous or dying trees or alien invasive plant species will be permitted to remove the vegetation after the property has been inspected. Residents cutting trees, removing or depositing soil and wood waste and be fined $1,000.
