Council approved a land redesignation request in Bragg Creek from residential to commercial to facilitate a retail store.
During the public hearing there was a lengthy discussion on whether or not to approve the designation because it could require the applicant to update her sewer system to provide a sewage pump-out option.
Elizabeth Hertz, applicant, said she wasn’t aware that she would have to do this; she said her store isn’t like a restaurant where there would be a public bathroom. As well, she said she plans to hook up to the centralized sewage system when it becomes available in the area and paying for upgrades now, only to have to pay to attach to the centralized system later, would be cost prohibitive.
Council discussed including in the approval a clause that advises the development authority to allow for the retail space without a public washroom
Councillor Lois Habberfield said council shouldn’t be allowed to start dictating conditions to the development authority.
The rest of council agreed and decided to drop the clause. Hertz was asked if she still wanted council to proceed, knowing she could be required to complete the upgrades and she said yes.
The redesignation was unanimously approved.
A public hearing is coming to council April 26 to discuss consolidating a road allowance.
Currently three residents in the Saddle and Sirloin community, located in Bragg Creek gain access to their property by driving on private property but there is no formal access agreement to allow for this.
In September 2011, the three residents contacted the County office and asked for assistance to resolve the issue.
County staff suggested a land swap with the neighbour who owns the land and the landowner was open to the agreement but the other neighbours were not. They wanted to see the construction of a County standard road. During council Jan. 29, three options were presented to council to deal with the land. Costs varied between $75,000 and $191,000.
Council gave the residents in the area six weeks to try and come up with a solution.
During council March 5, Drew Hyndman, planner for the County, said an agreement has been reached to swap 3.15 of acres county land with the landowner for the road. The cost associated with building fencing, and driveway improvements will come in around $8,500.
Councillor Margaret Bahcheli wanted to know how it would benefit the County to swap that much land.
Hyndman said it will keep the County from having to build a municipal road. Councillor Liz Breakey said the 3.15 acres of land is mostly swamp land.
Council approved the public hearing date. Bahcheli was opposed.
