By Marianne Cole
New MDP Tests 50%
The new Municipal Development Plan guidelines have been tested twice during the summer through applications to re-designate land from Agriculture District (A) to Country Residence Agriculture (CRA). One involved an application to re-designate 20 acres while the other was for a 9.24 acre re-designation.
According to both the new MDP and the current Land Use Bylaw (LUB) a maximum of 7 acres is allowed unless more is needed for existing shelterbelts, farm buildings, or amenities such as sewer.
In the first case the Municipal Planning Committee (MPC) had suggested approval of only 10 acres, three acres more than allowed due to septic needs. Following a public hearing on the matter, Council went against MPC’s recommendation, as well as their own document, when they approved the 20 acres re-designation during 2nd and 3rd reading by a vote of 5-2 with Councillors Northcott and Cermak opposed.
In the second case, an original application was made for a 5 acres re-designation but at first reading this was amended, and passed, to potentially allow 9.24 acres. Following the public hearing Council reverted back to the allowable 5 acres re-designation which they then passed during 2nd and 3rd reading.
With these two recent tests of the validity, control, or power of the new MDP, and the fact that it had an impact or was adhered to only 50% of the time, it will be interesting to see its effectiveness in future land development matters.
Land Use Bylaw Review
Beginning At their August 22nd meeting Council approved plans to begin a review of the current 22 year old Land Use Bylaw. Specific highlights of the project include:
· Vicinia Planning and Engagement Inc. (Liz Armitage) has been hired as the External Project Lead.
· The Council Steering Committee (SC) and a Public Advisory Committee (PAC) will set out goals and expectations.
· The PAC will have a total of 10 members from a variety of interest groups along with 2 interested parties of the public and one councillor (as well as an alternate councillor).
· The opportunity for the public to submit applications to become part of PAC will be advertised for two weeks (no dates noted).
· Kick-off Engagement sessions are being planned for:
Virtual (online) September 25, 2023, 6:00PM (www.clearwatercounty.ca/LUB)
Subway Room, Rocky Regional Rec. Center, September 27, 2023, 4:30PM and 7:00PM
Leslieville Community Centre, September 28, 2023, 8:30AM and 5:00PM
Nordegg Community Hall, September 30, 2023, 1:00PM
Caroline Community HUB, October 2, 2023, 8:30AM and 5:00PM
· Further stakeholder meetings are planned for November 2023.
· Final draft is planned to be released in August 2024.
We encourage everyone to get involved as the LUB is a very specific document that governs all forms of land development and business operations in the county. It is much more controlling than the MDP so it is very important to have your input.
Broadband Concerns were raised during the August 22nd Council meeting about broadband finances. First of all a question was asked if the CTI (Canadian Telecommunications Initiatives) Grant had been received. This was a grant we were to have received some time ago. The reply to the question was that staff could get that information and pass it on. Another question was asked related to the amount of money spent on broadband (likely to be about $1M this year) and if any income had been generated from the county’s fibre installations. (Note: The installation of fibre out to Ferrier and Nordegg has been completed as well as past Caroline. Work still has to be done on connectivity to Sundre and Olds.) The reply given to this concern was that the director in charge of this “was not here” so an email reply would have to be sent later.
It is very disconcerting that there is first of all a lack of information presented to Council, and then a real possibility that no income is being received even though millions are being spent.
Deepest Sympathy
Our deepest sympathy is extended to the family of Lawrence Stewart in his recent passing. Along with his other significant community involvement, Lawrence was a long time dedicated member of the CCTA. We truly valued his insight, comments, and friendly smile at our meetings.
Coming Events:
Wednesday, September 13, 2023, 7:30PM and Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 7:30PM regular meetings at the Arbutus Community Hall.
