Committee of the Whole – December 8, 2025

Plain-Language Summary for Residents

This page highlights what’s actually inside the December 8, 2025 Committee of the Whole agenda, in clear terms, so residents can see what major decisions are being shaped before they reach a formal vote.

Most of the items below have no attached reports, meaning major issues are being introduced verbally rather than supported by written materials that residents can review.

All information comes directly from the official agenda package.
Source: 2025.12.08-Committee-of-the-Who…

1. Planning & Land Use

Amenity Cost Charges Bylaw

A new development fee framework. This usually means the Village is trying to cover infrastructure funding gaps — water, sewer, dike upgrades, roads, and aging assets. Residents should expect discussions about who pays for growth: taxpayers or developers.

Tourism Sector Employee Housing

Brought forward without supporting documents. This could affect zoning, density, building locations, and may allow fast-tracked staff housing projects. No information on scale, sites, or impacts.

FVRD Building Inspection Services

Signals that the Village may shift more inspection duties to the Fraser Valley Regional District. Often this happens when internal capacity is stretched or the Village wants to transfer risk and workload.

2. Tourism, ALR Land & RMI Spending

RMI Project Priorities & Tourism Events

The Village plans to submit a Non-Farm Use application to the Agricultural Land Commission for:

PID 002-138-123
PID 013-166-891

This means ALR land may be opened for tourism development.
There is no map, no rationale, no cost outline, and no public consultation provided in the agenda — a major land-use change being introduced with minimal documentation.

3. Infrastructure & Operations

Boat Launch Revenue Report

Usage and revenue are falling:

Day passes down 29% in two years
Extra parking down 34%
Season passes declining each year
Net profit fluctuates

These trends undermine claims that tourism traffic is growing or that expanded parking systems are justified.

Primary Care Unit Update

A verbal update only. No written commitments from Fraser Health or timelines included.

Fuel Mitigation – East Sector

Unclear whether this means brushing, thinning, or larger wildfire treatments. With recent controversy over East Sector projects, residents should watch closely.

Wildlife-Proof Garbage Bins

Replacement program introduced without costs, timelines, or options.

4. Finance & Administration

Deputy Mayor Honorarium

A compensation discussion in a year of heavy financial pressure. No staff report provided.

Lagoon Health

If lagoon conditions are being raised at COW, that typically signals:

aging treatment plant issues
capacity or infiltration concerns
regulatory compliance risks

This affects long-term costs for the entire community.

Evacuation Route

Critical public-safety file with no supporting maps or analysis included. Residents should expect more information at a later stage.

Tree Canopy Benchmarks & Tree Protection Bylaw

Early steps toward regulating tree removal on private property. No policy direction, targets, or justification provided.

Partnerships With District of Kent

Broad item with no detail. Could involve fire protection, RCMP, water, emergency planning, or shared infrastructure.

Seniors Housing Project – BC Housing Grant Update

One of the Village’s most important files — but only a verbal update is planned. No written summary or documentation is in the agenda.

Red Flag List

Issues residents should watch closely

ALR Non-Farm Use Application
A major land-use shift proposed with no documentation for the public.
Amenity Cost Charges Without Data
No background work or cost analysis shown.
Tourism Worker Housing With Zero Detail
Could significantly reshape zoning or neighbourhood uses.
Boat Launch Revenues in Decline
Contradicts narratives about growing tourism demand.
Lagoon Health Raised Without a Report
Often a sign of emerging compliance or capacity problems.
Evacuation Route With No Maps or Options
Life-safety planning should not be handled verbally.
East Sector Fuel Mitigation Ambiguity
Could open the door to forest work without proper environmental oversight.
Tree Protection Rules With No Framework
Potential restrictions on private property rights with no clarity given.
Honorarium Increase in a Tight Budget Year
Raises legitimacy concerns.
Seniors Housing Update With No Written Record
Public cannot verify progress or details.