Council Briefs
•Council heard a presentation by Pharmasave co-owner Mike Ramaradhya, who was asking for input on a plan that will see the building’s west side redone. The current mural, completed in 1987, is crumbling and the owners are concerned falling pieces of stucco create a liability for pedestrians and vehicles. A select committee will be created to work with the owners to come up with a plan to replace the mural.
•Rhonda Barter reported on her attendance of a low-cost housing conference in Richmond. Her costs were covered by the Town of Creston and RDCK Areas A, B and C. A request for funds to create a business plan for the use of Pioneer Villa was included in her presentation.
Barter said the community should have a right to request a long-term lease on the building, which was built in part with local funds and financed by a mortgage, which was also paid by the operators of Pioneer Villa.
“The government said the building is no longer suitable for use as a seniors’ residence but they are asking $2.4 million for it,” she said. “Something isn’t adding up here.”
•Council approved a request to keep Millennium Park open until 10 p.m. for the Canadian Cancer Society’s annual Relay for Life, which will be held on June 4.
•The use of Spirit Square on 11th Avenue by the Creston Valley Blossom Festival committee was approved.
•Town staff are exploring the possibility of holding a daylight time opinion poll in conjunction with the provincial referendum on the harmonized sales tax.
•A rezoning process will be undertaken to accommodate Creston’s New Life Christian Church, which has purchased a neighbouring house at 1913 Elm Street. The proposal would change the zoning designation of the property from residential to institutional.
•Tree grates commemorating the late Lawrence Lavender and Lela Irvine will be purchased for Canyon Street.
•Council instructed town staff to enter into lease negotiations for a property at the cemetery that would see construction of a local crematorium by G.F. Oliver Funeral Chapel.