File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By James Peters

Lytton Rebuild

Amid tension between incoming and outgoing councils, Lytton moves forward with new building bylaw

Oct 27, 2022 | 5:36 PM

LYTTON, B.C. — As its final act, the outgoing council in Lytton has passed dramatic changes to the village’s building bylaw. The changes are meant to make the community more resistant to future disasters in the wake of the 2021 fire that destroyed much of the village.

The move by the outgoing council was made amid controversy.

As Lytton has grappled to recover from the wildfire that razed the village on June 30, 2021, its municipal leaders have dealt with a firestorm of criticism for their handling of rebuilding efforts.

Mayor Jan Polderman and three of the village’s four councillors — all but Councillor Melissa Michell — opted not to run in the October 15 municipal election.

Polderman chaired his final meeting Wednesday evening (Oct. 26). All of the incoming council — Mayor-elect Denise O’Connor and Councillors-elect Nonie McCann, Jessoa Lightfoot and Jennifer Thoss — with the exception of Michell attended the meeting virtually.

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Three of the newly-elected officials encouraged the outgoing council not to pass the new building bylaw, with Lightfoot, a former mayor of Lytton, saying it should be a matter for the incoming council to decide.

When it came to a vote, council approved the changes by a 3-2 count, with Polderman saying the bulk of the framework for the new building bylaw had been months in the making.

In her closing remarks, outgoing councillor Lilliane Graie did not hold back in blasting the incoming councillors.

“As to the people who spoke earlier,” Graie said, “I find it somewhat laughable that they’re thanking us for the good job that we did when they’re the people who have been harassing and attacking this council for 15 months. When we have people who have been calling our contractors at all hours of the day and night, using up money that is for the Village of Lytton to use when they don’t live in the municipality or pay a dime in taxes to it.

“I would like to say that you should be ashamed of your behaviour, but I doubt you will be” Graie continued. “It’s been difficult working through the problems you have created for this council. You didn’t have to do that and, this incoming council, I hope you learn very quickly the mess that you have made.”

The new building bylaw requires rebuilt homes to be more fire-resilient with little-to-no fuel sources nearby. The community would also be built with a goal to net-zero carbon emissions.