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Smithers Encourages Secondary Suites
SMITHERS - Recent amendments to the Town of Smithers Zoning Bylaw now a secondary suite within a single family home in all residential neighbourhoods. The change to the Zoning Bylaw was in response to the Town's Official Community Plan, which identified secondary suites as a means to improving housing affordability and mix in Smithers.
A secondary suite is an additional self-contained dwelling located within a single family home that meets the requirements of the BC Building Code and Town bylaws. The Town is encouraging home owners with existing suites to arrange for a voluntary inspection with the Town of Smithers Building Inspector, who will assess the necessary steps to bring the suite into compliance. Homeowners are provided with an amnesty period from paying the $200 voluntary inspection fee until December 31st, 2016.
"Encouraging secondary suites is one strategy to improving housing affordability within the community, both for renters and for the home-owners who need a mortgage helper. Secondary suites also modestly increase the density in existing neighbourhoods, which benefits Smithers as a whole and makes efficient use of our existing infrastructure", commented Mayor Taylor Bachrach.
Media Contact:
Alison Walker, Planner
(250) 847-1600
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2012 Smithers Spirit of the Mountains Winter Festival
February 8 - 12, 2012
The Town of Smithers is excited to present the 2012 Spirit of the Mountains Winter Festival. We hope you enjoy the five days of activities and events that are planned.
View the Events Poster for more information.
If you would like to host an activity during the Fesitval, please contact Andrew Hillaby, Director of Recreation, Parks & Culture at 250.847.1600.
LISTEN to the Smithers Spirit of the Mountains Winter Festival audio clip
NEW “Truck Route” Restrictions in Effect
Attention Truckers / delivery personnel:
New "Truck Route" restrictions are now in force on all roadways within the Town of Smithers.
On January 24th, 2012, Smithers Town Council adopted the new Truck Route regulations for all roadways within the Municipality. Truck Route Bylaw No.1676 establishes specific routes of travel for all vehicles in excess of 5,500 kg G.V.W. (Gross Vehicle Weight), considered "trucks".
Important sections of the new Bylaw are as follows:
- All trucks travelling in Smithers must now keep regular travel restricted to the designated routes as laid out in Schedule "A" of Truck Route Bylaw No. 1676.
- No person in charge or control of a truck shall allow it to be parked on any street other than a truck route.
- Trucks may only vary from the "Truck Route" for the sole purpose of loading or unloading of goods at that location, or to a repair shop or truck storage facility.
- When departing the truck route for the any of the allowed purposes, the person in charge or control of said truck, shall return to the truck route at the intersection of the truck route or street nearest to the location.
- The RCMP, Smithers Bylaw Enforcement, or a Peace Officer are all authorized to enforce this Bylaw.
- Failure to observe the requirements of Truck Route Bylaw No. 1676 could result in a fine of up to $2,000.00 upon Summary Conviction.
For more bylaw information, please refer Bylaw Section of the Town's webpage, or for further information call;
Matt Davey
Prevention and Community Safety Officer
phone: 250-847-1600
Smithers Arena Schedule & Calendar of Events
2011 Arena Schedule:
- Week of February 6 - 12 *Updated January 31st
-
Week of February 13-19 *Updated February 7
Public Skating and Shinny Hockey are on now!!
Please call the Arena hotline for times - 250-847-5719.
Please call the Arena hotline for times - 250-847-5719.
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Calendar of Events:
FEBRUARY 2012 |
|
| February 9 |
FREE Public Skating 2-3:30pm during the |
| February 10 | FREE Public Skating 7-8:45pm during the 2012 Spriit of the Mountains Winter Festival |
| MARCH 2012 | |
| March 10 - 11 | PeeWee Tournament |
|
|
|
| April 6 -8 | Sicamous Eagles Hockey Club |
AUGUST 2012 |
|
| August 13-17 | Northern Hockey School - 9th Annual Hockey Camp |
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Click to find out more information about the Civic Centre Arena.
Office of the Wet’suwet’en and the Town of Smithers Re-Sign Protocol Agreement
SMITHERS - The Office of the Wet'suwet'en and the Town of Smithers are pleased to announce the re-signing of a Protocol Agreement at the Office of the Wet'suwet'en on January 27, 2012. The re-signing marks the second year of the agreement focused on improving information sharing and communication between the Office of the Wet'suwet'en and the Town of Smithers.
The agreement commits both organizations to regular meetings of both senior administration and political leaders over the next year and includes guiding principles of mutual respect, cooperation, and the importance of good communication in building trust between the Office of the Wet'suwet'en and the Town of Smithers.
"First, the Wet'suwet'en Chiefs' welcome the newly elected Mayor and Council and thank the previous council for their endeavours in working with the Wet'suwet'en Chiefs and Office of the Wet'suwet'en," said Debbie Pierre, Executive Director for the Office of the Wet'suwet'en. "The signing of the second year Protocol Agreement with the Town of Smithers is a good start for the work to be undertaken in the upcoming year. We emphasize the importance of communication between the Town of Smithers and the Wet'suwet'en on matters of mutual interest. The Wet'suwet'en endeavour to bring forward the principal of working collaboratively while respecting each others mandates and jurisdictions. We look forward to another progressive year ahead."
Over the course of 2011, the Office of the Wet'suwet'en and the Town of Smithers jointly presented to the Provincial Union of B.C. Municipalities Community to Community Forum and the Laxalstsap Government on working together with local government and First Nations communities. The Town of Smithers and the Office of the Wet'suwet'en have had several discussions regarding Crown lands within the Town of Smithers boundaries and their potential future development. Wet'suwet'en Chiefs have welcomed the newly elected Council to their territory and played an active role in the inaugural meeting of Council held in December of 2011.
"Re-signing the protocol agreement provides an important opportunity for us to deepen our relationship with the Wet'suwet'en Hereditary Chiefs," said Smithers' Mayor Taylor Bachrach. "I believe we will achieve our greatest success when we work together from a place of trust and respect, and I'm happy that the protocol has set us on that course."
Both parties look forward to strengthening the relationship over the next year and continuing the dialogue that encourages mutual understanding.
Media Contact:
Deborah Sargent
(250) 847-1600
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NEW Job Posting - Closes February 20, 2012
Public Service Announcement
The recent snowfalls, forecasted snowfalls and warming trend has prompted residents to be concerned with accumulated snow loads on home roofs. The Town of Smithers' current ground snow load is 3.1 kiloPascals (kPa) plus 0.2 kPa rain component, for a total 3.3 kPa, or 69 pounds per square foot (psf). For building design, the ground snow load is reduced by 45% for residential buildings and by 20% for commercial buildings. Therefore, the specified roof snow loads (including rain) are approximately 40 psf for residential and 56 psf for commercial.
Pure water density is around 1,000 kg per cubic metre (kg/m3) or 62.4 pcf. The density of newly fallen snow is typically 70 to 150 kg/m3 (4.4 to 9.4 pcf). Typically winter snowpacks have a density of 200 to 300 kg/m3 (12.5 to 18.7 pcf).
Using the higher snowpack density of 300 kg/m3 (18.7 pcf), then the current design depth of snow on roofs is 2.1ft on residential and 3.0ft on commercial. Owners should consider removing the snow if the packed accumulated snow exceeds these depths, if heavy rains fall on these snow depths, if the roofs are flat, low-sloped or have valleys, and if more snow-fall and accumulation is forecasted.
Older homes and buildings were designed to a lighter snow load and owners should consider removing snow at lower depths than those listed above.
The Town of Smithers recommends that you keep the following in mind when attempting to remove the accumulated snow from your roof:
1. Do not shovel alone - have a spotter.
2. Do not over-exert yourself.
3. Remove snow evenly from the roof to avoid unbalanced loading.
4. Do not shovel all the way to the roof surface - leave 50 mm (2 inches).
Contact:
Roye Lovgren, Building Inspector
(250) 847-1600
Reduce - Reuse - Recycle
It's not garbage if it can be reused, repaired, recycled or composted
Although the Town of Smithers does not do residential recycling pickup, there are many organizations in the Town of Smithers that do help with reuse, repair and recycling of items that are no longer needed.
Click here to view: Town of Smithers - Garbage Collection Webpage, Town of Smithers Recycling Webpage
In BC there is currently a 'Product Stewardship Program'. The Product Stewardship model is comprised of several key players working together to ensure that products no longer being used by consumers are managed in an environmentally responsible manner.
Products covered by the Industry Product Stewardship Program:
British Columbia's Recycling Handbook - A simple guide to what can be recycled under BC's Stewardship Program (http://www.return-it.ca/ips/index.html)
TOWN OF SMITHERS RECYCLE PARTICIPANTS
Antifreeze
- Ok Tire Store - 3911 Hwy 16 - 250-847-4478
Appliances
- Large (freezers, fridges, stoves)
Smithers/Telkwa Transfer Station - 6050 Donaldson Road - 250-846-6805
Hours of Operation - Open: Monday - Friday: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm., Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Closed: Statutory Holidays - Small Appliance Recycling Program
Bulkley Valley Bottle Depot (www.encorp.ca) - 3318 Victoria Drive - 250-847-3416
Unplugged website - a listing of all accepted small residential appliances (http://www.unpluggedrecycling.ca/)
Batteries - (http://www.call2recycle.ca/)
- Automobile: Smithers/Telkwa Transfer Station - 6050 Donaldson Road
- Rechargeable: Totem Audio - 1276 Main Street - 250-847-4722
Glacier View Satellite - 1215 Main Street - 250-847-4499
Beverage Containers including Milk
- Bulkley Valley Bottle Depot (www.encorp.ca) - 3318 Victoria Drive - 250-847-3416
- Smithers & Area Recycling Society - 2880 Tatlow Road - 250-847-8944
Cardboard & Paper
- Smithers & Area Recycling Society - 2880 Tatlow Road - 250-847-8944
Cell Phones - (http://rcbc.bc.ca/events/waste-reduction-week/recyclemycell)
- Totem Audio - 1276 Main Street - 250-847-4722G
- Glacier View Satellite - 1215 Main Street - 250-847-4499
Clothing (including sports & blankets)
- New to You (Hospital Auxiliary) 3688 Broadway Avenue - 250-847-2424
- Salvation Army - 1065 Main Street - 250-847-1501
Computer Equipment
- Bulkley Valley Bottle Depot (www.encorp.ca) - 3318 Victoria Drive - 250-847-3416
Electronics (including cameras & stereos) (http://www.esabc.ca/cfm/index.cfm)
- Bulkley Valley Bottle Depot (www.encorp.ca) - 3318 Victoria Drive - 250-847-3416
- Electronics Stewardship Association of BC (http://www.esabc.ca)
Flammables (including gasoline)
- Smithers/Telkwa Transfer Station - 6050 Donaldson Road - 250-846-6805
Fluorescent Bulbs
- Smithers Lumber Yard - 3528 Hwy 16 E. - 250-847-2246
Furniture (in good condition)
- New To You (Hospital Auxiliary) - 3688 Broadway Avenue - 250-847-2424
- Salvation Army - 1065 Main Street - 250-847-1501
Grass Clippings & Leaves
- Smithers/Telkwa Transfer Station - 6050 Donaldson Road - 250-846-6805
- Town of Smithers - Public Works Yard - 2888 19th Avenue - 250-847-1649
Ink Cartridges
- Glacier View Satellite - 1215 Main Street - 250-847-4499
- Speedy/Interior Stationery - 1156 Main Street - 250-847-9712
Medications (http://www.medicationsreturn.ca/british_columbia_en.php)
- Pharmasave #034 - 1211 Main Street - 250-847-8750
- Pharmasave #105 - 3752 Fourth Avenue - 250-847-4474
- Safeway Food & Drugs #144 - 3664 Hwy 16 - 250-847-4744
- Shoppers Drug Mart #2257- 1235 Main Street - 250-847-2288
Motor Oil, Filters & Containers (http://www.usedoilrecycling.com/en/bc/returncollectionfacilities)
- Canadian Tire - 3221 Hwy 16 - 250-847-3117
- Glacier Toyota - 3187 Tatlow Road - 250-847-9302
Paint, Pesticides, Propane Tanks, Flammable Liquids (www.productcare.org)
- Smithers/Telkwa Transfer Station - 6050 Donaldson Road - 250-846-6805
Hours of Operation - Open: Monday - Friday: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm., Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm, Closed: Statutory Holidays
Trees & Branches
- Smithers/Telkwa Transfer Station - 6050 Donaldson Road - 250-846-6805
Hours of Operation - Open: Monday - Friday: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm., Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm, Closed: Statutory Holidays
Tires - (http://www.tirestewardshipbc.ca/)
- Kal Tire - 4320 Hwy 16 - 250-847-2665
- OK Tire - 3911 Hwy 16 - 250-847-4478
- Tatlow Tire - 3668 Tatlow Road - 250-847-3286
- All Seasons Automotive - 3829 Hwy 16 - 250-847-9428
Thermostats
- Information site http://switchthestat.ca/eng/index.php
WEBSITES FOR COMMON RECYCEABLES
British Columbia Product Stewardship Council http://www.bcproductstewardship.org/general/mission.php
Canadian Electrical Stewardship Association - http://www.cesarecycling.ca/
Call to Recycle - http://www.call2recycle.org/
BC Ministry of Environment Recycling - http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/recycling/
Product Care - "Product Stewardship Solutions" - http://www.productcare.org/
Recycling Council of British Columbia - http://rcbc.bc.ca/recyclepedia
Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako http://www.rdbn.bc.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=403:recycling-brochures&catid=133&Itemid=498
Stewardship Agencies of British Columbia - http://bcstewards.com/
Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program (CARIP) Report
The following Report meets the Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program (CARIP) requirements to publicly report on climate actions undertaken by this local government in the current year and intended climate actions for the following year.
Click for more information, on the Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program (CARIP) Report 2011.
Recreation Programs
Registration is on for 2012 Winter Programs - for all ages.
Find out more about the programs being offered by the Town of Smithers Recreation Department, on the Recreation Programs page.
The full Winter 2012 brochure is now available!
Youth Recreation Program Leader Course Application Form *Posted December 12, 2011
Smithers Airport Promotional Video
Smithers and Burns Lake Mountain Bike Trails - part of BC Premiers Award
BC Rec Site and Trails officer Kevin Eskelin has won a BC Premiers award for his innovative work with the Smithers and Burns Lake Mountain Bike Associations. Eskelin worked with the local organizations in the establishment of trail networks that meet provincial mountain biking standards. An excerpt from the news release states; "Thanks to Kevin Eskelin’s vision, mountain biking may have a new mecca in Burns Lake and Smithers. These two northern communities, hit hard by a declining forest industry, were keen to diversify. Capitalizing on a new provincial mountain bike policy, Kevin worked closely with the communities, mountain bike associations, First Nations and other stakeholders to create a world-class facility. Over three years, he helped partners raise over $600,000. And now 50 kilometres of professionally designed and built trails wind their way through 4,600 hectares of wilderness, delighting riders of all levels, garnering the region high profile press and placing these two unlikely communities on the international mountain biking map." Congratulations to all. A video on the project and award can be viewed by clicking here.
Smithers Community Profile
Click here to view the Smithers Community Profile.
MANDATORY GARBAGE CARTS – FAQ
Click here to obtain more information regarding the Mandatory Residential Garbage Carts.
For further information, please contact the Municipal Office at 847-1600, or the Works and Operations Department at 847-1649.
Apply for your Home Owner’s Grant here
The Provincial Home Owner Grant is designed to help homeowners reduce their property taxes. You can apply for your Homeowners Grant thru the E-HOG link here.
