Notices will be sent out to Spardell residents notifying them that development variance permits (DVPs) at Spardell Mobile Home Park will be reconsidered at the July 20 Sparwood council meeting.
Council first denied park owner Rick Pater’s application for the DVP at the April 7 meeting following concerns from Spardell residents on the park’s water quality.
Coun. Jenna Jensen and Coun. Margaret McKie were both opposed to the permit’s approval upon first application, which was announced March 2, as they believed focus should be put towards ensuring the park’s water quality was adequate.
The DVP itself would allow for four new pads to be added to the park that would be exempt from modern day building standards in order to remain consistent with the majority of the park, which was originally constructed in the 1970s. Included in the exemptions would be street lighting specifications, curbs and gutters and road widths.
According to Manager of Planning Nelson Wight, following the original rejection of the DVP in April, Pater was instructed to review his application as it pertains to the park’s water quality and distribution systems.
“There have been a number of concerns about the water quality and pressure in the park and the applicant has done that work and investigated how the water distribution system can be improved,” said Nelson, adding, “the solution seems to be with a phasing plan to connect the entire mobile home park to the district water supply as well as upgrade current supply lines.”
McKie’s concerns on the water’s quality remained murky.
“What dates will Mr. Pater expect the water systems to be completed? From what I understand the water is still an issue,” she said, requesting that a motion be made for Pater to personally speak on the issue.
According to Pater and his phase plan, seven houses and Units 1-#24 (a total of 32 units of the park) have been hooked up to district water.
“Our goal is to have town water for all of the tenants by this year and most of the park will have new lines and full pressure by next year,” said Pater of his plans.
The remainder of Pater’s plans to have Sparwood’s water flow through Spardell are already behind, however, in accordance to his explanation in front of council on June 15.
“We are anticipating all of the houses and units #1-60 to be on town water by September, pending approval of engineering from Interior Health,” said Pater.
In Wight’s report, Phase 2 of Pater’s connection plan, which applies to Units #25-60, was meant to be completed by the end of June.
Plans for a dozen units (#61-66 and #69-74) were expected to follow by mid-July with the last phase of the water connection originally conceived to be completed by September 2015, encompassing Units #67 and 68, #75-90, #933-113 and #125, according to Wight’s report.
Of the park’s quality concerns, Pater said, “We are on a boil water advisory but it’s really more of a technicality. We have had the same quality of water for the last 50 years. The water is tested every two weeks and there is no bacteria in the lines or choliforms or anything to indicate there is contamination.”
Halko brought up concerns from residents as recent as last week, inquiring whether the park’s discoloured water that residents have spoken of had been rectified.
Pater explained, “It’s never been a system where the lines can be flushed out so there’s a certain amount of sediment that comes into the line. What’s happening now, and I’m not an expert, but what I have concluded is that every time there’s a disruption [such as a power outage] and at times even without, a certain amount of air gets into the lines and when the water is charged back up again, there is turbulence and it stirs up sediment in the line.”
He added, “The new lines won’t have this issue. Right now, our focus 100 per cent is getting the new lines in.”
Moving forward, Coun. Joe Jarina asked if Pater would be prepared to deal with any pipe problems that may arise following connecting Spardell to the municipal water system.
“Are you going to do anything that needs to be done to ensure that the residents have water, particularly while waiting for new pipes to come in?” he asked.
Pater said, “The town water has enough pressure that even if there are leaks, the pressure will be maintained. But absolutely we will react if there are any problems.”
Jensen queried Pater on his level of commitment and what can be done to reassure council that the new lines will be installed next year.
“I don’t want to see us move forward and have things falter or stop on your end. How can we be assured that this will be done and new pipes will come in next year?” she asked.
“I can tell you that I am moving as quickly as I can to get these plans engineered and I have funds committed … I am committed to having this done and will work to the best of my ability to make sure it is,” he responded.
Council ultimately allowed notices to be sent out to Spardell residents and consideration for granting the DVP will be readdressed at the July 20 council meeting