MD of Pincher Creek Council notes, October 11, 2011 meeting

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

In addition to issues covered in other recent articles on this website, the MD of Pincher Creek No. 9 discussed several other issues at their October 11 meeting.

Bonertz Hill flood repair postponed
The repair of flooding damage that occurred on June 17, 2010 to Bonertz Hill has been postponed until the project can be retendered in the spring of 2012.  Alberta Disaster Recovery replied to the MD's inquiry about the road repair, indicating they agreed the cost tendered was excessive and that the project should be retendered in 2012. The lowest tender submitted was significantly higher than originally projected, in fact just about double at $499,172.25. The amount budgeted was $250,000.00.  In addition to the higher cost, concerns were raised about when bridge 0479, which crosses Drywood Creek and is the responsibility of Alberta Transportation, would be repaired.

Enel Alberta Wind Inc. requests land use bylaw amendment
Enel Alberta Wind Inc., the general partner of the Castle Rock Ridge Limited Partnership, requested a land use bylaw amendment to redesignate 3 lots of land from Agriculture (A) to Wind Farm Industrial (WFI). All three lots are owned by one landowner, who provided consent for the application. Development Officer Roland Milligan was on hand to submit the application and answer questions.  Unsurprisingly, this turned out to be the most contentious issue raised at MD Council this day.
Councillor Rod Zielinski was initially opposed to the amendment, saying "I'd rather see it as a site-by-site (process)." He was concerned that otherwise "It would be a blanket approval to let them do whatever they like." He expressed concerns that once zoning was in place there might be no control whatsoever over the density and size of windmills at the rezoned sites.    Deputy Reeve Bjorn Berg expressed the opinion that it would be best to have a decision that allowed for future development without all the conflict that has historically gone on around windmill issues.  "The windfarm zone establishes a boundary zone that encourages them to reopen it in the future," said Berg.  "I'd like to ensure that they stay here in the future."
Mulligan indicated the amending bylaw 1153-08 passed in April of 2009 rendered all existing wind farms non-compliant with the MD's Planning Bylaw, requiring the rezoning of existing wind farms.  He indicated that Cowley Ridge is presently non-conforming at a time when the windmills there are out of date.
In the end it was decided "That council re-zone the lands containing existing non-compliant wind farms to wind Farm Industrial in order to bring the existing use into compliance with the planning bylaws of the M.D."  A public meeting will be held on November 8 about this issue.

Conservation Easement postponed
MD Council voted to waive the 60 day notice requirement on a request for Conservation Easement of a small parcel of land  but wanted some explanation of reasons for these easements. "Is this a suitable parcel for conservation easements?" asked Berg, a sentiment echoed by Councillor Yagos.  Reeve Cyr suggested council "ask for somebody from nature conservatory to come and explain what we're rubber stamping."