Ritchot’s council met on the evening of Wednesday, May 20 to address a variety of items on the municipality’s agenda. The members of council are still meeting via remote video while the council chamber itself has been set up to host the public, with social distancing measures in place.
Councillor Shane Pelletier acted as chair in lieu of Mayor Chris Ewen, who was absent due to a conflict of interest since he took part in a conditional use permit hearing later in the meeting.
PERK Events
Ewen presented a request to council for a conditional use permit to operate a home-based office for his business, PERK Events. PERK operates a food and beverage cart (a mobile coffee bar) for events, and he also runs an online store selling coffee and related products.
After council introduced the topic, Ewen presented his ask, which was to see his home residence in the Hayley Common condominium development act as office space for PERK.
“We operate a mobile cart, going out to events, but given the times we’re in we have also had to open an online store,” said Ewen. “There will be no warehousing in the residence, only files and office equipment. No online store products. I also don’t expect to increase parking or foot traffic as we are an event or online business and do not receive customers.”
All together, three emails of support were submitted, including from other residents at the Hayley Common condos, as well as one from a representative of the condo board.
One email objecting to the home office was also submitted, citing that the Hayley Common Condo Association declaration prohibits home businesses from operating within the complex.
After the presentation, Ewen recused himself from further debate and signed off from the meeting.
“As we go through due process and deliberations, we need to take this declaration into account,” said CAO Mitch Duval. “But we do have a letter from the board of Hayley Common going in support of this, so it does kind of rule it out.”
Council approved the conditional use permit for PERK subject to existing regulations governing traffic, space, parking, and signage.
Council then proceeded to handle other business, including the second reading of the tax levy and financial plan introduced on April 20.