Rocky View County (RVC) council carried a motion March 8 to provide the Minister of Municipal Affairs with a letter outlining the County’s position on a Growth Management Board (GMB). According to RVC senior planner Richard Barss, while the County recognizes the need for sound regional planning, a Growth Management Board is “not necessary.”
“This year, the Minister announced that she would be considering mandatory Growth Management Boards for the Calgary region,” Barss said. “The Minister then asked all municipalities if they would contribute to the design on the topics of governance, mandate and membership for the potential board.”
Barss said RVC’s submission provides “constructive suggestions” on the design, should the Province proceed with the implementation of a GMB, and council unanimously approved the draft presented by administration.
“I think it’s well-written, it emphasizes the fact that (RVC) believes that we can address regional issues through intermunicipal agreements and other service agreements with our neighbours,” Councillor Lois Habberfield said. “And it does show that should we be in that (GMB), which isn’t our first choice, we will do our best to participate and cooperate.”
Road allowance
Second and third readings were given to an application to close an undeveloped portion of Old Banff Coach Road, and consolidate the 4.39 acres of land with an adjacent parcel owned by the applicant, Cornel and Patricia Yarmoloy.
The bylaw received first reading in May 2015, before being forwarded to Alberta Transportation for Ministerial consent, which was received in October, 2015. Third reading was carried by a vote of 7-2, with opposition from Councillors Jerry Arshinoff and Margaret Bahcheli.
A sales agreement will be signed at the established value of $5,500 per acre, plus the cost of the appraisal and all applicable taxes.
Subdivision approved
An amended subdivision was approved by council after administration was directed to prepare appropriate conditions for the applicant’s preferred option, which would eliminate the requirement to construct an internal subdivision road. The new lots, located northeast of Cochrane, will be accessed from an upgraded mutual approach.
“Our servicing standards provide direction and guide administration on this assessment,” said RVC’s General Manager of Infrastructure and Operations Byron Riemann. “When we assessed this application and the size of the lands being created, we see future development there, and that’s why we recommended the internal road.”
However, Councillor Bruce Kendall made a motion against administration’s recommendation, to approve the applicant-preferred option. His motion was carried by a vote of 6-3 with Councillors Liz Breakey, Arshinoff and Bahcheli voting in opposition.
