Kent/Agassiz – Here are the highlights from the Kent Council Meeting of October 16, 2019.
New Parking Signs Coming to Downtown
Council approved several recommendations to help improve parking in the downtown core as requested by the merchants, including adding more signage indicating limited parking times, clearly identifying public parking spaces, and supporting an education and awareness campaign for patrons and business staff.
Public parking signs will be erected at 7136 (beside Shoppers Drug Mart), 7167 (Agassiz Harrison Museum lot), 7233 (Post Office lot) and 7255 Pioneer Avenue (across from Mountain Sushi).
Two-hour parking signs will be installed on the west side of the District’s 7036 Pioneer Avenue lot (in front of the bakery and salon buildings).
As the Agassiz Harrison Museum parking lot will be receiving two electric vehicle chargers in the near future, District staff have been directed to consult with museum representatives to consider signage that will help eliminate long-term parking that may negatively affect museum operations. This includes identifying designated staff parking, designated museum and tourist information patron parking and two-hour parking stalls. Changes will also be made to convert the stall currently designated for tour buses to RV parking.
Other parking signage includes:
- Installing three-hour parking signs on the north side of central Pioneer. This will accommodate park and business patrons requiring more on-street parking;
- Installing two-hour parking signs for the small section of parking at the southeast end of central Pioneer Avenue;
- Replace the missing two-hour parking sign at the southeast end of central Pioneer Avenue; and
- Ensure that all two-hour parking signs are marked with the time period of “Mon to Sat 8:00 am – 6:00 pm”
Second Public Hearing Scheduled for Short Term Rentals
Council rescinded its second reading of District of Kent Zoning Bylaw 1219, Amendment Bylaw No. 1622, 2019 (Short Term Rentals) as a result of the additional research conducted by staff related to defining a block, implementing applications and enforcement strategy. The amendment bylaw received second reading with the staff recommended changes, and a Public Hearing date was set for November 13, 2019 at 6:30 pm pursuant to the Local Government Act.
The bylaw amendments are in response to public feedback received from the Public Hearing of June 24, and addresses concerns heard related to applications, licencing, zoning and absentee owners. The public is encouraged to attend the upcoming Public Hearing to share their thoughts on the amendment bylaw and help shape regulations relating to Short Term Rentals in the District. The Public Hearing Package, including the amendment bylaw will be available for review online or at Municipal Hall beginning October 31.
Live 5-2-1-0 Playbox Slated for Schep Park
Live 5-2-1-0 Playbox Slated for Schep Park
A new Live 5-2-1-0 Playbox will soon be set up in Schep Park (between 7341 and 7348 Elm Road) for free, thanks to Pacific Blue Cross grant funds.
In partnership with the Fraser Health and Chilliwack Division of Family Practice, the District received grant funding in 2018 to provide enhanced physical activity opportunities and execute a community food mapping process within the District of Kent. Setting aside half of the $10,000 of this grant, the second playbox within the District is fully funded.
The boxes are secured with two numeric padlocks. Parents and guardians can register with the Community Recreation and Cultural Centre (CRCC) at no cost and obtain the access code to enjoy free, unlimited use of the playbox supplies.
The District’s first playbox was funded by the Gizeh Shriner’s Club of BC and installed in 2016 at Pioneer Park, located between 7011 and 7167 Pioneer Avenue. Two new Mobile Playboxes followed in 2018. The mobile playboxes are rolling duffle bags filled with similar games and equipment that can also be signed out at no cost from the CRCC to be used anywhere around the community.
The Schep Park playbox is anticipated to be installed in Spring 2020. For more information or to register for an access code, contact the CRCC at 604-796-8891.
Remembrance Day Parade
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #32 will be conducting the annual Remembrance Day parade on Monday, November 11, and invites the public to join them. Assembly will begin at 10:00 am at Agassiz Secondary, parading to the cenotaph for 11:00 am followed by two minutes of silence and wreath laying.
There will be a temporary delay of vehicle traffic traveling north and south along Highway 9 at the intersections of Morrow Road, Cheam Avenue and Highway 9. Barricades will be placed at these intersections and single lane traffic will occur until the parade signals the traffic control person that they are prepared to cross the highway. At this time, traffic will be temporarily halted from approximately 10:40 am to 10:55 am as the procession crosses Highway 9. Once safely across, the highway will reopen and pylons will be placed on Morrow Road to prevent northbound highway traffic from turning right.
