Kimberley Official Community Plan

4.0 ACHEVING OUR VISION

Objectives and policies in this section provide the basic framework for the future management and development of lands in the City of Kimberley. They have been developed to ensure that future growth and development in the community is balanced in order to foster economic growth while fulfilling the social and environmental needs of residents.

The objectives and policies presented in this section help to integrate decisions on land use, transportation, environment, community facilities, infrastructure, and social and economic planning into a broad municipal strategy. The policy and action statements set out below form the strategies to achieve the objectives of the Plan and ultimately move us toward the community’s desired vision for the future.

4.1 Community Character

4.1.1 OBJECTIVE:

Maintain Kimberley as a community where residents and visitors experience a unique mountain town with characteristic charm and a comforting, friendly, easy-going vibe. Foster a diverse, safe and caring community with access to services and facilities to address the social, cultural and economic needs of all residents and visitors and to maintain or improve their quality of life. Advance education, health and wellness initiatives, support investments in walkable connected neighbourhoods and revitalization of commercial and industrial areas to expand economic and employment opportunities.

4.1.2 POLICIES:

The City will:

ensure that new development meets a high standard of appearance and has an appropriate scale, form, and character which enhances the visual appeal, vibrancy and small-town feel of Kimberley;
partner with community organizations to expand and enhance arts, cultural, environmental and recreational events and programs that celebrate and promote Kimberley’s unique character and sense of place;
foster strong relationships amongst community members, organizations and the business community to create new economic opportunities that complement the community character;
maintain the desirable cultural, environmental, recreational and social characteristics of the community;
support effective police, fire protection, rescue and emergency services;
encourage architectural and urban designs that reflect Kimberley’s natural environment and unique history;
develop guidelines and implement programs to enhance streetscape features such as street trees, lighting, benches, public art, and bicycle infrastructure to provide visual interest, improve the pedestrian experience and enhance vibrancy and liveability of the downtown and other commercial areas to support business growth;
support ongoing transition to new community branding, signage and building design;
support higher levels of maintenance and improvements for trails and pedestrian networks to enhance safety and encourage continued use at night and in winter months; and
encourage initiatives to make Kimberley more vibrant and to support businesses year-round, such as festivals and special events, wayfinding, interpretive and banner signs, community beautification and collaboration amongst destination marketing and local business organizations.

4.2 Built Environment

4.2.1 OBJECTIVE

Encourage the enhancement of the built environment to sustain and enrich the community’s unique small town character and sense of place. Promote high quality design which respects the natural setting, utilizes renewable energy, and considers changing climatic conditions while enhancing liveability and quality of life through sustainable building and development practices.

4.2.2 POLICIES

The City will:

maintain an understanding of existing infrastructure capacity;
encourage energy efficient community and building design;
incorporate climate adaptation measures in infrastructure design;
increase street trees for shading, stormwater interception, noise buffering, improved aesthetics and property values and manage forested areas to reduce wildfire and dangerous tree hazards;
encourage greater waste diversion and recycling of materials in building design and construction;
work toward enhancing the accessibility of community spaces and infrastructure;
ensure that core services and facilities within the community are connected by a safe and accessible network of sidewalks and pathways;
encourage mixed uses and higher densities for new development within the downtown;
implement infrastructure that supports and facilitates greater uptake of alternative forms of transportation, such as bicycle lanes, bicycle parking facilities, bus stops, sidewalks and pathways, electric vehicles or other emerging technologies;
encourage residents, visitors and businesses to utilize alternative forms of transportation, such as transit, electric and hybrid vehicles, bicycles and walking;
lead by example by implementing the use of electric or hybrid vehicles in its operations where practical;
consider opportunities to provide greater pedestrian facilities in the downtown and other commercial areas by piloting various physical improvements;
manage the City’s linear assets (roads, sidewalks, water, sewer, and storm) in coordination with strong growth management policies to reduce the long-term infrastructure renewal costs to the community;
concentrate capital investment on the rehabilitation of existing assets rather than the purchase or construction of new assets that will add to the existing infrastructure deficit and increase maintenance costs;
encourage new subdivisions and individual buildings to take advantage of passive solar gains;
continue to educate residents, visitors and businesses about the importance of conserving energy and water;
continue to explore opportunities for clean or renewable energy systems and support the expansion of green energy projects in the community, such as the SunMine;
continue to encourage high-efficiency, clean-burning heating throughout the community;
reduce corporate greenhouse gas emissions by 33% from 2007 levels by 2020;
support initiatives to reduce community greenhouse gas emissions by 6% from 2007 levels by 2020; and
continue to track and report progress towards meeting corporate and community greenhouse gas targets.

4.3 Growth Management

4.3.1 OBJECTIVE

Sustain and enhance Kimberley’s quality of life through well planned development that reduces long-term infrastructure maintenance costs and allows for a diverse range of housing types and affordability. Land use and infrastructure decisions will promote compact connected growth that minimizes new infrastructure, protects environmentally sensitive areas and mitigates the impacts of natural hazards such as floodplains and steep slopes.

4.3.2 POLICIES

The City will:

encourage compact development that protects the natural environment, reduces infrastructure costs, and reduces the energy requirements of residents, businesses and the City;
encourage new growth in areas where existing infrastructure has capacity or can be efficiently extended with minimal long-term cost to the community;
encourage and support initiatives that improve and enable Kimberley’s food security;
support preservation of the rural character of areas surrounding the City by encouraging compact urban growth and collaboration with the Regional District of East Kootenay to maintain open space and crown land in both jurisdictions;
preserve open space and protect the natural environment by avoiding development in environmentally sensitive areas and wildlife habitat;
continue to monitor the existing infrastructure’s capacity to understand the community’s development capacity and where growth can be most efficiently accommodated;
maintain all transportation mode connections throughout the City, and work with regional partners on transportation issues;
continue to involve the community in meaningful engagement to determine the form of growth and service levels most appropriate for Kimberley;
develop and monitor an inventory of existing infrastructure capacity to direct new growth to areas with existing service capacity;
restrict development on steep slopes, floodplains and wildfire hazard areas to reduce and mitigate the effects of a changing climate;
consider implementing development cost charges, local or specified area taxation and latecomers agreements with developers to assist in the financing of improvements or expansions to the City’s infrastructure systems that will be required to facilitate future growth and development.

4.4 Economic Development

4.4.1 OBJECTIVE:

Expand and diversify the local economy with targeted infrastructure and employment land policies focusing on clean energy, light industry, manufacturing and knowledge-based sectors. Continue to grow and promote Kimberley as a tourism destination and an affordable attractive community to balance livelihood and lifestyle. Identify innovative means of increasing year-round tourism by supporting additional festivals, sports events and cultural activities. Support existing businesses to expand while attracting new businesses that diversify the local economy.

4.4.2 POLICIES

The City will:

work to ensure adequate supply of serviced land for future industrial and commercial uses to support a larger employment land base;
support initiatives to attract new businesses and retain existing businesses to encourage expansion of employment opportunities to allow residents to remain in the community;
strive to increase and diversify the City’s tax base through economic diversification;
encourage the expansion of renewable energy production, value-added production, manufacturing, and technology sectors;
promote and create awareness of Kimberley as a centre for high-level athletic training and development;
continue to reduce procedural, policy and regulatory barriers for investors, entrepreneurs and event organizers;
maintain attractive residential, commercial and industrial tax rates relative to competing jurisdictions;
continue to promote outdoor events that utilize Kimberley’s exceptional network of trails;
leverage cultural events and local heritage to promote tourism;
encourage regional collaboration for economic development marketing;
actively target potential renewable energy production, value-added production and eco-industrial manufacturing opportunities and support ongoing marketing and investment attraction initiatives to support business and employment growth in Kimberley and the region;
monitor the housing supply to protect affordability as the economy continues to transition;
support clean energy initiatives in the community, including the expansion of the SunMine;
collaborate with tourism stakeholders to ensure strategic investments in tourism infrastructure; and
continue to work collaboratively with the ʔaq̓am community (formerly St. Mary Indian Band), the City of Cranbrook, and the Regional District of East Kootenay to support regional economic diversification, growth and resiliency.

4.5 Natural Environment

NATURAL LANDS

4.5.1 OBJECTIVE:

Promote responsible stewardship of the community’s environmentally sensitive areas, ensuring that habitat is protected, risks from natural hazards are mitigated, and both air and water are of exceptional quality. Support the identification, preservation and conservation of environmental lands through education, guidelines, regulations, monitoring and enforcement. Encourage the development of sustainable local food systems and take action to reduce corporate and community greenhouse gas emissions.

4.5.2 POLICIES

The City will:

Environmentally Sensitive Areas:

protect and enhance environmentally sensitive areas by minimizing disturbance from human activities and development;
continue protecting the Mark Creek and Mathew Creek Community watersheds and establish a protection plan for these essential resources;
provide strong regulations for water course buffers and consider implementing policies which go beyond Provincial Riparian Areas Regulation to restrict development that negatively impacts natural water courses, riparian areas, watersheds, water bodies and wetlands;
support opportunities for interpretation and learning about environmentally sensitive areas and their importance to the community and benefits of their protection;
prevent the storage of snow on streambanks to limit the exposure of vegetation to salt and gravel;
encourage riparian restoration efforts along Mark Creek and other water bodies within the City;
pursue partnerships and funding to improve mapping and study of environmentally sensitive areas, including biodiversity corridors and sensitive aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

Natural Hazards:

update the Mark Creek Flood Assessment and evaluate options to mitigate flood hazards to existing and new development areas;
continue to implement, monitor and update the Kimberley Creek Floodplain Bylaw and Flood Assessment Report;
encourage property owners in flood risk zones to complete modifications to buildings, structures, site grading and landscaping to reduce the hazards posed by flooding;
prohibit or restrict development on difficult or steep terrain with 20% or greater slope;
develop guidelines for development on difficult or steep terrain less than 20% slope;
encourage protection of steep terrain, with 20% or greater slope, in new development areas as designated open space;
continue to implement the recommendations in the Adapting to Climate Change in Kimberley Report (2009) including ongoing evaluation of priorities and assessment of vulnerability and risk;
continue to manage the wildland/urban interface in accordance with the Community Wildfire Protection Plan and continue public engagement and communications to raise awareness of the risk of wildfire and recommended policies and actions for wildfire prevention;
ensure wildfire protection and mitigation measures are implemented in new development areas including legal documentation to ensure that interface areas on private lands will be maintained in perpetuity; and
encourage property owners in established areas to complete modifications to buildings and landscaping to reduce the hazards posed by interface fire.

NATURAL RESOURCES

4.5.3 OBJECTIVE:

To ensure the equitable and sustainable management of natural resources in the community in a way that supports economic development while maintaining these resources for future generations.

4.5.4 POLICIES:

The City will:

support the ongoing reclamation efforts at the former Sullivan Mine and Concentrator sites and promote reuse and redevelopment of remediated portions of these sites;
direct natural resource exploration, extraction or processing proposals, including sand or gravel aggregate operations, to properties designated “Industrial” or “Resource and Reclamation” shown on Land Use Plan (Schedule A) and that will have no adverse environmental impact, including impacts to nearby properties and land uses, or sites where such impacts can be adequately mitigated;
encourage the Province to refer natural resource exploration, extraction or processing proposals in areas surrounding the Kimberley municipal boundary, including the entire Mark Creek and Matthew Creek watersheds, to the City for review and consideration of the impact of such proposals on Kimberley’s land uses, infrastructure, and water and air quality;
consider any natural resource exploration, extraction or processing proposals based on any or all of the following criteria:
1. type and location of activities proposed;
2. prevailing wind direction, and the potential for noise, odour, dust and other nuisances;
3. extent of visual screening, and other mitigation works proposed;
4. compatibility with adjacent land uses;
5. environmental sensitivity of the site, adjacent lands and groundwater resources;
6. characteristics of subject natural resources; and
7. site access and potential impacts to City water supply and infrastructure.
encourage the Province not to issue new leases or permits for natural resource exploration, extraction or processing within 1,000 metres of designated residential areas unless effective mitigation measures can be implemented to significantly reduce or eliminate negative effects.

4.6 Heritage and Culture

4.6.1 OBJECTIVE:

Protect and celebrate Kimberley’s natural and cultural heritage to maintain and enhance our community’s unique character and sense of place. Support community partners and organizations to preserve, promote and manage heritage and cultural resources to maximize their economic, social, cultural, educational, and aesthetic benefits to the community.

4.6.2 POLICIES

The City will:

continue to recognize and support the Kimberley Heritage Museum, the Sullivan Mine and Railway Historical Society Interpretive Centre and the Kimberley Arts Council as important organizations and facilities for the advancement of heritage and cultural development;
encourage the Federal Government to revitalize and rejuvenate the Post Office building;
build relationships with the Ktunaxa Nation and member communities to identify, recognize and protect important First Nations heritage sites or locations;
identify and advance potential collaborations among the various community organizations and individuals linked to arts, culture and heritage in Kimberley;
support the development of a heritage conservation program to identify and inventory historically significant buildings and sites, and encourage their renovation and restoration in a way that respects their historical significance;
explore the establishment of a Revitalization Tax Exemption Program Bylaw to support heritage building restoration, upgrades, and exterior facade improvements;
encourage the preservation of heritage buildings by permitting, where appropriate and feasible, the conversion of residential uses to commercial uses;
develop partnerships with community groups to produce interpretive signs and brochures that support the education of the public about Kimberley’s cultural and natural heritage;
use public art to build community identity and promote the use of public spaces for local artists to demonstrate their craft and display their works;
celebrate Kimberley’s heritage and promote it as a year-round arts and cultural centre by supporting the arts community to coordinate additional festivals and special events;
look for opportunities to link community arts and culture facilities to commercial and residential areas by sidewalks or pathways; and
encourage partnerships amongst local community organizations to expand and create new arts, heritage and culture initiatives in the community.

4.7 Infrastructure

TRAIL AND PATHWAY SYSTEM

4.7.1 OBJECTIVE

Continue to support development of a well-planned, well-maintained, and integrated system of trails and pathways to support healthy active living and tourism opportunities. Connect neighbourhoods to each other and surrounding open spaces and community amenities. Encourage recreational opportunities that minimize their impact on watersheds and environmentally sensitive areas and build support for ongoing protection and stewardship of these special places.

4.7.2 POLICIES

The City will:

encourage and support community partners, such as the Kimberley Nature Park Society, Kimberley Nordic Club, Kimberley Trail Society, NorthStar Rails to Trails Society, and other community members in the promotion, enhancement, construction and maintenance of trails;
incorporate trails and pathways for walking and cycling as an integral component of the transportation system in community planning, subdivision and development approvals;
require dedication and/or construction of trails and pathways to City standards on or adjacent to development sites as a condition of development approval;
amend the Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw to update design criteria for trails and pathways, ensure new construction and major upgrades to existing trails and pathways meet consistent standards;
design trails to minimize stream crossings and impacts to riparian and environmentally sensitive areas;
support provincial and regional agencies and neighbouring communities to build a regional recreational trail network; and
review and monitor the existing trail system, condition and maintenance requirements, establish standards for maintenance and new construction, and seek opportunities to fund investment in new trails and maintenance of existing trails.

TRANSPORTATION

4.7.3 OBJECTIVES

Enhance the existing transportation network to balance priority of all modes of travel by increasing opportunities and improving safety for walking, cycling and using transit. Continue improving connections between neighbourhoods and commercial areas to reduce parking demand and support healthy active living.

4.7.4 POLICIES

The City will:

prioritize safety, then cost, followed by traffic volume and speed when designing and managing transportation infrastructure,
encourage compact, mixed use developments that support travel by foot and bike;
encourage alternative modes of transportation for community members and visitors to reduce traffic and parking demand;
work with BC Transit to support the expansion and enhancement of the Kimberley transit system, including expanded service to and from Cranbrook;
limit expansion of the road network to support a compact community footprint that minimizes long term infrastructure costs;
update subdivision and development servicing standards to reflect current best practices to improve resiliency of infrastructure to changing climate conditions and reduce long-term maintenance costs;
develop streetscape enhancement design guidelines that may incorporate active transportation infrastructure, landscaping, lighting, bicycle parking, street furniture, and wayfinding;
implement streetscape enhancements and active transportation infrastructure that improve accessibility, equity, health and well-being, environmental sustainability, personal and community safety, and community cohesion and vitality;
support efforts to improve pedestrian and vehicular wayfinding signage in the downtown, resort and other commercial areas;
improve the bicycle experience throughout City by developing new cycling infrastructure that integrates with the existing trail network, the downtown and other commercial areas;
encourage new multi-family and commercial developments to provide bicycle parking;
investigate ways to reduce the need to acquire or dedicate more land for parking in the downtown and other commercial areas, which may include:
- promote transit, walking and cycling and improve associated infrastructure;
- consider time-restrictions or pay-parking strategies in public lots and on-street parking;
- designate locations for bus, RV and large vehicle parking; and
- maximize on-street parking including consideration to reconfigure some streets to one-way travel with angle parking.
consider traffic calming measures to address neighbourhood speeding issues, which may include:
- changes in road width and speed design geometry to prioritize safety before traffic volume and traffic speed;
- incorporation of speed control structures; and
- reducing speed limits on local roads.

WATER

4.7.5 OBJECTIVE

Continue to provide exceptional water quality exceeding all regulatory standards and strive to minimize system loss, reduce per capita water demand, and minimize future infrastructure investment through source protection.

4.7.6 POLICIES

The City will:

limit expansion of the water distribution system to support a compact community footprint that minimizes long term infrastructure costs;
will only consider expansion of the water distribution system for new development areas after analysis of long-term lifecycle costs compared to overall benefit to the community;
not extend the water distribution system beyond the City’s boundaries;
implement measures to reduce per capita water consumption in order to diminish the need to increase the City’s water distribution capacity including requirements for high-efficiency fixtures in all buildings and facilities;
regularly review and update water use rates to encourage water conservation and consider adjustments to encourage accessory dwellings and other types to address housing needs;
encourage ski hill and golf course operators to implement alternatives to using drinking water for snow-making and irrigation;
consider future implementation of water metering as a means of equitably distributing the operating and capital costs associated with the water distribution system and encouraging water conservation;
enhance contributions to water capital reserves for the maintenance, repair and upgrading of the aging water distribution system;
ensure that residents and visitors are provided the highest quality drinking water through watershed protection planning and enforcement to limit resource development and recreational access in key areas of the watersheds;
protect the watersheds and recognize their value to the community water supply as natural infrastructure to be considered in the City’s asset management program; and
plan for potential upgrades to water treatment facilities that may become a provincial requirement.

WASTEWATER TREATMENT

4.7.7 OBJECTIVE

Ensure wastewater treatment and collection meets or exceeds all regulatory standards while implementing measures to reduce water and energy use to maximize capacity and efficiency and to minimize cost.

4.7.8 POLICIES

The City will:

limit expansion of the wastewater collection system to support a compact community footprint that minimizes long-term infrastructure costs;
will only consider expansion of the wastewater collection system for new development areas after analysis of long term lifecycle costs compared to overall benefit to the community;
not extend the wastewater collection system beyond the City’s boundaries;
identify and implement regulatory tools to reduce the volume of non-wastewater, such as pool, hot-tub and drainage water, discharged to the wastewater collection and treatment system;
plan and seek funding for major upgrade or replacement of the aging wastewater treatment plant; and
enhance contributions to wastewater reserves for the maintenance, repair and upgrading of the wastewater collection system.

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

4.7.9 OBJECTIVE

Develop and implement an integrated stormwater management system to reduce flood risk, protect aquatic and riparian habitats from erosion and sedimentation, reduce infiltration to the wastewater system, improve resiliency to changing climate conditions and to meet or exceed regulatory standards.

4.7.10 POLICIES

The City will:

identify and prioritize drainage catchments that require maintenance or upgrades to slow surface run-off and increase infiltration before entering the stormwater system;
ensure changing climate conditions and current best practices are implemented in the design of drainage facilities and flood control works;
update the Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw to consider changing climate conditions and incorporate current best practices for stormwater management;
consider bylaw amendments to set maximum percentages of land areas that can be covered by impermeable material as per Section 523 of the Local Government Act;
consider bylaw amendments to set standards for the provision of landscaping as per Section 527 of the Local Government Act;
support efforts to daylight creeks and ensure watercourses and wetlands are maintained to function in an open and natural state;
encourage property owners in flood prone areas to properly maintain private stormwater management infrastructure and to undertake modifications to site grading and landscaping to reduce the potential of flooding; and
require stormwater management plans for new developments to ensure stormwater can be effectively managed on site to pre-development conditions and to mitigate downstream impacts.

RECYCLING AND SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

4.7.11 OBJECTIVES

Reduce solid waste generation, increase diversion of organics and reusable and recyclable materials from the waste stream, and prevent the attraction of bears and other wildlife.

4.7.12 POLICIES

The City will:

continually evaluate and improve the collection system and bylaws to reduce collection costs, increase diversion and reduce wildlife attractants;
implement measures to minimize energy use in the collection system and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the landfill;
work with and encourage the RDEK to improve and increase recycling and organics diversion;
work with the RDEK and sub-regional partners to update and implement the Solid Waste Management Plan;
require all new commercial, industrial, institutional and multi-family developments to provide bear-proof waste disposal containers where these containers are to be stored outdoors;
support initiatives or programs, and seek partnerships with public or private organizations, to encourage and facilitate improved recycling, composting and solid waste management;
support and promote provincial recycling initiatives, including those for beverage containers, tires, batteries, used motor oil, e-waste and paint; and
work with the RDEK to determine the feasibility of diverting re-usable materials prior to them becoming waste in the regional landfill.

4.8 Municipal Finance, Governance, and Civic Participation

4.8.1 OBJECTIVES

Advance financial sustainability, responsible governance and strong civic participation to build social capital and enhance the capacity of citizens and elected officials to enact positive change in the community. Pursue partnerships and funding opportunities to balance financial realities and changing expectations for services and infrastructure needs while keeping Kimberley affordable. Seek to build strong community and regional partnerships to support transportation and economic development initiatives.

4.8.2 POLICIES

The City will:

effectively and responsibly manage public funds to balance available resources with community priorities;
operate an efficient municipality while maintaining a well-serviced, safe and liveable community;
focus on core services and divest non-core assets where feasible and practical;
continually update asset management plans as a measure for advancing financial sustainability;
consider implementing a Development Cost Charge Bylaw to help recover infrastructure costs resulting from new development on the premise that infrastructure costs should be paid by those who use and benefit from such systems;
plan for and ensure that the replacement and extension of services and other capital works are financially sustainable over their serviceable lives prior to being included in the five-year financial plan;
maintain the hotel tax to fund tourism promotion, projects and programs;
continue to provide grants-in-aid to community organizations, where financial resources allow, in recognition of the value these groups provide to the well-being and vibrancy of Kimberley;
direct operating surpluses above target levels to capital reserves to offset need for tax increases to fund infrastructure renewal;
set water and sewer rates to ensure reserve contributions sufficient to fund planned capital improvements;
maintain an accessible and transparent process of civic decision-making;
continue to consult advisory groups that represent a broad range of viewpoints to assist Council and staff on policy issues;
maintain and continually improve programs and practices to inform citizens of City plans, programs, decisions and policies;
continue to work with the Provincial Government to improve and develop additional sources of funding for resort municipalities;
continue efforts to diversify the tax base and attract investment in employment generating light industrial, business and recreation class properties by evaluating the tax rates for these classes and minimizing tax increases whenever possible;
actively pursue grants and transfers from senior levels of government and other organizations to reduce the cost of major infrastructure and other projects to the taxpayers; and
consider the following factors in decisions related to land use, development and infrastructure plans:
- the degree of risk the City wishes to assume in financing and recovering servicing costs;
- the level of equity regarding how costs are allocated and recovered;
- capital plans as yearly approved and funded by the City’s Council;
- identified infrastructure improvements and the need to have associated funding in place for both existing and future developments; and
- the degree of risk to assume in borrowing for infrastructure investment.