Town Council Notes, January 14, 2013

Toni Lucas, Pincher Creek Voice

Pincher Creek's Town Council met on the evening of Monday, January 15.  In attendance were Mayor Ernie Olsen, Councillors Don Anderberg, Sahra Hancock, Lorne Jackson, Wayne Oliver, and Murray Lauder.  CAO Laurie Wilgosh was also present.

Handfords continue to look for answers

Randy and Cheryl Handford returned to council to readdress their concerns regarding a development close to their home property.  The couple attended council on November 26 and again on December 10 regarding this same issue.  They again expressed concerns over lack of communication in regards to the development in question including the house address, setback restrictions, the basement, and how it impacts their neighbouring property.


The Handfords said they talked with Manager of Legislative Services Gus Kollee to clarify some of their issues as suggested by the council at the December 10 meeting.  "Gus has been very good, and he is trying to help us out" said Randy.  "It seems the deeper I dig, the more questions I get, a lot of it around the land use bylaw, and how it was applied in this case." The Handfords have requested a Real Property Report (RPR) and a Certification of Compliance and according to Randy neither document has been produced.

"I'm kind of wondering why we don't have a RPR in this case, it seems strange.  How is it civic addresses have changed by a verbal internal decision by administration?" said Randy.  "What's the position, role and responsibility of the MDSA  (Municipal Development and Subdivision Authority), and who they are supposed to help out?  I am requesting the MDSA minutes to look for the decisions and the reasons for those decisions."

"The records of the MDSA should tell me what decisions were made that I haven't been able to access.  they aren't in the minutes but I'm assuming there are other reports, and I should be able to find out why those decisions were made."

"What do you hope to get out of this?" asked Mayor Ernie Olsen.

"I would like to see a review, of at least this file," replied Randy.  "Hopefully a review of the process on how you folks manage and apply your land use bylaw.  This was a lack of due diligence, and a lack of oversight.  That's the starting point, that what I would like to see."

Councillor Wayne Oliver looked for clarification from the couple about a few of the issues.  "A variation of the plan number, on some documents it says 2261jk, and on other documents it says 2261h?" he asked.  Randy agreed, and added that there are further complications of the civic address changing from Fredrick Street to John Avenue.  Oliver clarified at least one of the couples previous questions.  "A stop work order is for all or a portion of the work.  So it's within the realm of the body issuing a stop work order to let a piece of the work continue."

"Some of you people have gone the extra mile for us, and we appreciate it," said Randy, as the couple were getting ready to leave.

After the couple left, council looked at options as when the best time look at this issue again, and decided to approach it as business arising on Town Council meeting held January 28.

Street parking one suggested option for resident

Robert Bruckner previously approached council at their December 10, 2012 meeting to see about getting signs that would allow him to  park in the laneway that runs past his property.  Bruckner does not have a driveway or a garage, and expressed concerns about parking on the street and would like to park vehicles on the east side of 569 Broadview .

Council examined the ramifications if they issued signage that would allow Mr. Bruckner the right to park in the alley.  "I have a bit of hesitation around making an exclusive private use of a public laneway," said Councillor Sahra Hancock who pointed out that there is street parking available in the area.

"Broadview Street has 22 houses on it, and 20 of those houses have a driveway facing south.  Only Mr. Bruckner's house and one other house don't have, so I think it's standard for that street for people to have  a driveway  for off street parking right in front of the residence.  He could develop a driveway," said Councillor Wayne Oliver.

Town amends Account Payable, Cheque Issue, Expenditure Policy

In the Account Payable, Cheque Issue, Expenditure Policy there will now be an addition to line 4.9 that currently reads "The CAO may re-allocate budget dollars within the capital budget and the operating budget," to include an amendment that re-allocations in excess of $5000 dollars are to be reported to Town Council.

Following the public meeting Council went in-camera with land easement and encroachments and land roll issues. development issues on the agenda.