By Marianne Cole
URGENT NOTICE
The latest Municipal Development Plan draft has been completed and up-coming meetings are planned BUT there has been very little publicity to inform people of what’s happening so we are here to do that.
Noticeable parts of the draft are:
NO CHANGE to the troublesome number of subdivisions out of a quarter.
The new draft states:
· Section 10.2.1: The maximum number of titled parcels that is allowed to be created in a quarter section designated Agriculture District shall be three (3)…. Any new parcels or titles created shall come out of an un-subdivided quarter section or the largest agricultural parcel within a previously subdivided quarter section.
· Section 10.2.2: Notwithstanding policy 10.2.1, Clearwater County may approve the subdivision of a fourth (4th) title in a quarter section for residential or non-residential use…..
Size of parcels
· Section 10.2.5: For residential parcel in the Agriculture District…that includes all or part of an existing farmstead, the parcel size shall be no less that …2.25 acres and no greater than …7acres…
· Section 10.2.6: For a residential parcel in the Agriculture District…that does not include an existing farmstead, the parcel size shall be no less than…2.25 acres and not greater than…5.00acres.
· Section 10.2.7: For an agricultural small holding parcel within the Agriculture District…the parcel size shall be no less than… 8 acres and no greater than…20acres.
NOTICE OF MEETINGS
1. August 3, 2022: Leslieville Community Centre, Session 1: 3:00PM – 4:30PM; Session 2: 7:00PM –8:30PM
2. August 4, 2022: Virtual/zoom meeting, 7:00PM – 8:30PM
3. August 6, 2022: Nordegg Public Services Building, 2:00PM – 3:30PM
4. August 10,2022: Lou Soppit Centre, Rocky Mountain House, 3:00PM – 4:30PM; 7:00PM – 8:30PM
5. August 11, 2022: Caroline Community Hub, 3:00PM – 4:30PM; 7:00PM – 8:30PM
CONCERNS
Lack of publicity. As of today, July 26, 2022 the only information about the draft of the MDP and the up-coming meetings has been on the County website. While the notice of the meeting is easily seen on the website, finding the copy of the draft is not. One has to check out various links on the menu before actually finding the draft of the document. This is very frustrating and time consuming, especially for people that are not tech savy. Furthermore there are many county residents, especially our older ones, that do not even have computers. To ignore their opportunity to be informed is absolutely wrong. It was very strongly indicated last year that the most effective way of informing people was through large, eye-catching ads in the Western Star.
Timing of meetings. First of all it is very inconsiderate of the farming sector to have meetings now when they are very busy in the fields trying to get haying/silaging done. Also, other people may be on holidays and unable to attend. Then to have the meetings in the afternoon and evening is another indication of the lack of consideration for the farmers as that is just the time when the hay would be ready for baling, making it impossible to attend. THAT IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE.
This MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN is a very important document and it is crucial that we have the greatest opportunity for input. PLEASE PASS THIS INFORMATION ON TO YOUR FRIENDS. ENCOURAGE THEM, IF POSSIBLE, TO ATTEND THE MEETINGS AS WELL AS CALL THEIR COUNCILLOR WITH THEIR OPINIONS/CONCERNS. TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Coming Events: Check above schedule for MDP Review Meetings
September 14, 2022, CCTA Regular monthly meeting, 7:30PM, Arbutus Community Hall
