IN THE NEWS

By Marianne Cole

LAND USE BYLAW REWRITE SIGNIFICANT 

LENGHTY discussion on the Land Use Bylaw rewrite matters occurred at County Council meeting on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. A large variety of opinions and options were presented resulting in various motions made, discussed, withdrawn, and then passed or defeated. There were two major focusses on the matter:

Making the draft available to the public. At the moment the document is NOT being made available to the public.

This caused major discussion with a distinct division of opinion. Those in favor suggested that the public deserves to have adequate opportunity to review, and comment on, a document that has a direct impact on the use of their own property.

By comparison, those who opposed giving the public copies of the draft said that because the document is only a “draft” and is currently being reviewed by legal counsel, we should wait until that review is completed.

Interestingly, even after being perused by legal counsel it will still only be a DRAFT until it is officially adopted by Council. Providing opportunity for public input as soon as possible is certainly in the best interest of both residents and Council.

A motion was finally passed that the draft document be made available to the public as of March 31, 2025.

Timeline for document approval. 

As mentioned above, the document is currently being reviewed by legal counsel. Once returned, it will be reviewed by PAC(Public Advisory Committee) and Council, hopefully in April. There will then be Public Engagement meetings, possibly in May, followed by further potential revisions, Council passing 1st reading, a Public Hearing (maybe June/July) and then final approval. Concerns were expressed about this timing due to spring work, haying, and holidays.

Comments were also made that perhaps the best solution is to wait for final approval until after the fall election. This would allow the “new” council to adopt a document that they would ultimately be dealing with.

In the end a motion was passed that the advisory committees (PAC and Council) have meetings and then schedule the public engagement to follow.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING REQUEST 

At Tuesday’s meeting Council passed a motion to assist in funding the position of a Regional Affordable Housing Consultation Coordinator. This position will assist in determining seniors’ housing needs in the community. As a result of the motion the county will be contributing $13,096.00 to the initiative while the town will contribute $1,786.00 and the Rocky Senior Housing Council $5,000.00.

COUNTY BRAND 

An interesting discussion also took place on Tuesday on the possibility of the county developing a “brand”/symbol (similar to a cattle brand) that could be used to advertise and identify various county operations/projects. Administration was asked to gather info on costs and a potential design.

ROCKY AG SOCIETY LETTER 

A letter was received noting that at their AGM in November 2024, the Rocky Mountain House Agriculture Society reaffirmed their support of $75,000.00 for the development of an Agriculture Recreation Facility in Clearwater County.

UPCOMING MEETINGS:

Wednesday, March 12, 2025, 7:00PM, Leslieville Community Hall

Tuesday, March 18, 2025, 7:00PM, Caroline Hub

Both public information meetings regarding the Land Use Bylaw Rewrite project.

“When Irish hearts are happy, all the world seems bright and gay. And when Irish eyes are smiling, sure they steal your heart away.” Bing Crosby

“May the road rise up to meet you, 

May the wind be always at your back,

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

The rains fall soft upon your fields.” Irish blessing.