May 11, 2026 - Council Highlights

From the meeting held on May 11, 2026

Mayor’s Report

On April 11, 2026, Mayor Pranger placed first amongst seven competitors in the “Politicians Class” at the 104th Chilliwack Plowing Society Annual Plowing Match. In honour of this achievement, she was presented with a plaque from Jim Sache, a board of director of the Chilliwack Plowing Society.

Mayor Pranger also took a moment to highlight a special achievement by District of Kent resident Marina Striker, who completed the Codona 250 mile trail race. She placed 15th in the women’s division, and 63rd overall, with Mayor Pranger noting just how excited she is for Marina.

Council’s Report

Councillor Spaeti expressed her deep gratitude to the ten local businesses that choose to support Agassiz Minor Soccer, which has a total of 156 participants registered across four age groups. Noting that with their support, this longstanding program can continue to be offered at a low cost, helping reduce barriers and improve access to organized sports for local families.

Canada Day Preparations 

Canada Day preparations are underway, and this year's theme will be in celebration of the FIFA world cup, meaning it will be a soccer showdown! Events and activities planned for the day at Pioneer Park include an inflatable sports coliseum, soccer jersey crafting, food trucks, soccer themed attractions and games, and Canada Day cupcakes.

Council approved closing a section of Pioneer Avenue for the day and will be handing out the cupcakes. For more information be sure to follow the Community Recreation and Cultural Centre on Facebook, See you there!

Agassiz Fall Fair and Corn Festival

Council approved the application from the Agassiz Agricultural and Horticultural Association for the Agassiz Fall Fair and Corn Festival Parade. The annual parade will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2026, beginning at 10:00 am.

To learn more about this event, or to register for the parade, please visit: https://www.agassizfallfair.com/parade-registration

Lets’emot Regional Recreation and Aquatic Centre Update

Council thanked Staff for their hard work in securing grants, noting their appreciation for receiving a $22,000 Risk Management Grant from the Municipal Insurance Association of British Columbia. This grant will be used to support the startup and commissioning of the Lets’emot Regional Recreation and Aquatic Centre.

On May 4, Mayor and Council had the opportunity to tour the Lets’emot Regional Recreation and Aquatic Centre. Commenting on how impressive it was to see the progress made on the building, and how excited they are for the public to get to use the finished facility.

Councillor Spaeti noted the upcoming Burgers and Brews event which will be held at the Agassiz Legion (1846 No 9 Hwy.) to raise money for the Lets’emot Regional Recreation and Aquatic Centre. The event will be held May 26th at 5:30 pm, with $30 tickets which can be purchased from Councillor Spaeti directly or from the Community Recreation and Cultural Centre at 604-796-8891.

Temporary Use Permit – 2062 Lougheed Highway

Council received a delegation from the representative of the property owner of 2062 Lougheed Highway in relation to their application for a Temporary Use Permit (TUP) to allow their companies Maharg Contracting and Senica Logging to continue operations in the short term while they find a suitable solution in a new location. The delegation stated that the business has been operating in that location since 2000 and recognize that their non-compliant use was recently brought to the District’s attention. Their companies support other local businesses, employ approximately forty people including students graduating from the welding program. In closing, the delegate noted their willingness to make additional changes to further mitigate their impact to neighbouring residences.

Public notification, by way of letters to surrounding property owners within a 30-metre radius and newspaper publications resulted in concerns raised including the negative impacts to the rural residential character of the area as well associated operational issues (noise, light, general disturbances after hours.), and continuing traffic/safety concerns with commercial vehicles on the Lougheed Highway. All correspondence were received by Council.   

During Council’s deliberation, Mayor Pranger summed up the following comments:

• The Temporary Use Permit request is not an easy decision for me to adjudicate as the Mayor.
• I have served this community on Council for more than 25 years.
• At one time, the District of Kent had a Regional Growth Plan and a OCP that we
• could rely on.
• For years now we have known that we have very little land for commercial and light industrial use.
• We have requested 35 acres of land known as the Teacup properties to come out of the ALR so that we can develop these lands with a mixed use commercial, light industrial, and residential properties. The ALC has flatly denied our request.
• As a community, we have very limited land to provide commercial and no light industrial opportunities. We have no land for a large grocery store or for the new elementary school that has been requested. We also have no land for a medical clinic or other health facility.
• Nor do we have land for this light industrial forestry operation that provides 35 employees work so they can sustain their families and livelihood.
• I am going to be in support of this Temporary Use Permit and I want people to know that we have limited land to grow our community. We as Council are proud to support our agriculture, but we need to also support the other businesses in our community as well.
• We have been accused of sending businesses to other communities, but we have no choice as we have very limited land to develop commercially and for light industrial.
• When will the Province and the ALC wake up and recognize that people will continue to operate commercial and light industrial businesses on farmland or rural residential lands that we have to enforce.

The result was the approval of a one year TUP, with a one year renewal, at 2062 Lougheed Highway to allow for the temporary continuation of a limited commercial vehicle and equipment storage use with additional terms and conditions contained in the draft TUP document.