Structures and Access

Scope of the Structures and Access AG Plan

The Structures and Access Plan focuses on facilitating the return of businesses to their physical locations, either through accelerated re-entry following evacuation, or through the identification of alternate business sites while rebuilding occurs. As with various other plans within this document, close coordination with the RDKB EOC will be required if business centers are to be relocated, and when entering areas affected by disaster.

AG Plan Lead and Committee Members

Organizations
AG Lead: Clear Sky Consulting Ltd

AG Members: RDKB Emergency Management

RDKB Building Inspection Mgr.
Rossland Building Inspector
RDKB Manager of Planning

Additional Case Management and Support Organizations

Kootenay Boundary Regional Fire Rescue
RCMP
Local municipal planning and development staff
Rossland and RDKB Building Inspectors
Building Officials Association of BC https://boabc.org/
Local Government Bylaw Officers
School District 20
Local structural, geotechnical and mechanical engineering firms.

Incident Quick Start Checklist

Convene the AG committee.
Coordinate with Economic Impact Assessment AG to understand the impacts to commercial buildings and if there is a need for alternate commercial or industrial spaces.
Review list of alternate commercial spaces identified pre-incident and determine which are
Roll out plans for alternate locations for businesses and assist them in accessing these resources.

Typical Response and Recovery Activities

Identify vulnerable commercial and industrial locations in the region. Encourage and assist the property/business owners to reduce site hazards pre-disaster and prepare for relocation during times of an incident. The economically sensitive locations are identified within the Economic Infrastructure Action Group plan.
Businesses should develop a phased restart plan as evacuations are lifted that prioritizes steps for business resumption. A well-prepared business will have already identified these steps in their continuity plan. Any re-entry plans must be coordinated with the RDKB EOC.
Develop a list of vacant or open commercial buildings/properties and share this information with the businesses that have been impacted during a disaster. LCIC maintains a list that can be built upon.
Encourage property owners to waive or defer rents when businesses are recovering from an economic disruption out of their control or a disaster.
Identify areas in which to triage businesses during a disaster. Temporary business location may need to be established such as, “container districts” to house businesses, or buildings in which businesses can establish kiosks or otherwise meet with customers and continue to conduct their business.
Work with the RDKB EOC, Rapid Damage Assessment teams to support business assessments and coordinate access and information sharing.

Inventory of Existing Programs and Assets for Structures and Access

Local municipal governments support business license applications, development and building permits. Temporary use access permits, for temporary changes in land use or zoning are also available. These may require Board of Director approval.
The City of Rossland and the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary have building inspectors on staff. These individuals can provide assessments and support to determine if buildings are safe to re-enter or occupy, and to issue permits for renovations or remediation of the affected location.
Structural safety assessments and other services may be available through insurance coverage or through the RDKB EOC (by way of provincial funding approval processes).

Alternate Site List for Commercial Activity

Several locations across the South Kootenay area may provide opportunities for alternative sites if certain economic locations are evacuated, damaged or under restricted access.

Alternative sites should meet the following requirements to ensure they are a suitable option for relocation;

Ability to provide electrical connections to businesses, and possibly water connections
Security
Washroom facilities
Parking
Safe access (for traffic flow, pedestrian considerations)
Ability to receive cargo / inventory

** Note: some of the locations listed are held by private entities, and rent may be expected for the use of this space **

Indoor Locations:

Beaver Valley arena – at certain times of the year.
Trail Memorial Centre –at certain times of the year.
Zellers space at Waneta Plaza Shopping Centre.
I4C office building (CBT Columbia Gardens building).
Community halls (all communities).
CFSK “for rent” office space.
Selkirk College (certain times of the year).

Outdoor Locations:

Trail Memorial Centre – parking lot.
Waneta Plaza Shopping Centre – parking lot.
Downtown Temporary Road Closure – various municipalities.
School District 20 – may have space available.
Red Resort parking lots (summer).
Columbia Gardens industrial area (for industrial clients – bare or vacant land).

Action Plan for Future Preparation and Mitigation Activities

A list of available alternative business locations will be available on the regional disaster website. Ensure that this information is kept up to date. www.BizDAP.ca

Arrange for temporary business locations for impacted businesses. Ensure that all necessary services are available to resume business. Synergize with local municipalities to support this initiative.
Businesses should have a good idea what requirements are needed to resume business operations from an alternative workspace. Encourage business owners to pursue mutual aid agreements with other local businesses in the area, that they could potentially cohabitate in the same working location, if needed.