Rocky View County council has decided to take the bull by the horns and dive into the difficult territory of the County’s gravel policy by approving work on a new county-wide Aggregate Resource Plan.
“I know it has been contentious in the past,” acknowledged Div. 4 Coun. Samanntha Wright, who co-sponsored the motion alongside Mayor Crystal Kissel at the Nov. 15 council meeting. “I know we have received some letters from industry stating that this isn’t the path we need to go on. I couldn’t disagree more. I think this is definitely the path we need to go to create absolutes for industry, and it creates absolutes for residents as well.”
Gravel pits have always been a bone of contention in Rocky View County. Competition among competing gravel companies is typically fierce, which makes finding common ground on a policy difficult, acknowledged Kissel.
Oftentimes, residential homeowners are also opposed to development of nearby gravel pits for fear it will impact their property values. That is why, Kissel noted, it will become increasingly important to spell out how gravel will be developed in RVC in the future to avoid such conflicts.
“If we had some rules set out, everybody is on the same playing field,” she said. “I think this is looking into the future and finding a better way to do business.”
That’s also why, agreed Wright, it was important for the County to take its time and get the policy right. The motion brought to the table on Nov. 15 set Oct. 31, 2024 as the deadline to have the work on the Aggregate Resource Plan ready for a vote before council.
“It’s about balancing our obligations,” stated Wright. “Protecting residents, but identifying we do need gravel. Gravel is a commodity we all have to have. It’s our roads, it’s our homes – it’s not about saying ‘No’ to gravel. I want to make that clear.”
Div. 1 Coun. Kevin Hanson liked the methodical approach proposed by Wright and Kissel to develop such an aggregate policy.
“We really want to make sure we have these terms of reference hammered out properly, and probably work as well to get industry on board,” he said. “If it is coming down, they should be at the table and have a voice, because it has to work for everybody. I am looking for a fulsome engagement, and hopefully that will end up in those terms of reference, and maybe we will be provincial leaders in this respect.”
Div. 5 Coun. Greg Boehlke said he too would support the motion as long as it focuses on bringing all parties to the table in the consultation period between now and 2024.
“I think this is probably a good idea,” he said. “I hope it doesn’t get sidetracked by activist groups or anti-gravel groups, or pro-gravel, for that matter. It would be nice to run down the middle and come up with some plan where everybody can agree that this is the road forward.”
The motion was approved by a unanimous vote of 6-0, with Div. 2 Coun. Don Kochan not present for the vote.
