Quesnel Council Highlights - July 16th mtg

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

BC Energy Step Code – Building Construction Energy Regulations Joe Hart, Co-Owner of ICON Homes (Quesnel), President of the Canadian Housing Builders’ Association of Northern British Columbia and Vice-Chair of Canadian Home Builders’ Association of British Columbia, provided an overview of the Province’s BC Energy Step Code. The Province is regulating incremental steps to increase energy-efficiency requirements in the BC Building Code so that all new construction will be net-zero energy ready by 2032. Net-zero energy ready means a home is capable of producing as much energy as it consumes. The BC Energy Step Code requirements are different for each climate zone in the province and includes the building envelopes, mechanical systems, and airtightness targets. Part 9 Residential Buildings of the BC Energy Step Code states that new homes constructed according to energy enhancement requirements found in the five different steps (categories) included in the BC Energy Step Code will have the following general energy improvements compared to a home constructed under current regulations of the BC Building Code: Step 1 – improve performance (airtightness) Step 2 – 10% better Step 3 – 20% better Step 4 – 30% better Step 5 – Net Zero Ready The BC Energy Step Code came in to effect April 2017 on a voluntary basis. Local governments may set bylaw requirements for builders to meet one or more Step Codes as of December 15, 2017. Mr. Hart further provided an overview of what various local governments in the province are implementing in regards to BC Energy Steps Codes 1 – 5. For example, some local governments are offering financial incentives, rebates, educational knowledge and expertise to assist local builders, etc. Mr. Hart cautioned on moving too quickly to require building to certain steps and instead recommended the City to look at incentives.

Proposed Cannabis Retail Store – 213 St. Laurent Avenue Council approved a Retail Cannabis application for 213 St. Laurent Avenue, and did recommend to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch a license should be issued to Hive Cannabis Inc. However, Council has asked City staff to bring a report forward to review bylaw and/or policy options for future Cannabis Retail Store applications.

Proposed Bare Land Strata Development – 1702 Dyke Road Council approved first and second bylaw readings for an Official Community Plan (“OCP”) and Zoning bylaws amendments that would permit the construction of duplexes for the Riverfront Walks Bare Land Strata at 1702 Dyke Road. This proposed redevelopment requires an OCP and Zone amendments that would allow for duplex construction that would be constructed with a shared interior lot line.

Bylaws 1871 – Smoking Regulations Amendment Bylaw (Prohibits Smoking/Vaping in Specific Downtown Areas) – Final Adoption 1872 – Official Community Plan Amendment (Bare Land Strata Development at 1702 Dyke Road) – First and Second Bylaw Readings AND Set Public Hearing to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 30, 2019 at City Hall Council Chambers 1873 – Master Zoning Amendment (Bare Land Strata Development at 1702 Dyke Road) – First and Second Bylaw Readings AND Set Public Hearing to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 30, 2019 at City Hall Council Chambers

Next Meeting 6:00 pm – July 30, 2019 - Regular Council Meeting – City Hall/Council Chambers