Here are the highlights from Sturgeon County Council’s regular meeting on March 25, 2025.
Public Hearing – Bylaw 1662/24 – Amendment to Land Use Bylaw 1385/17
Council held a public hearing for Bylaw 1662/24 to amend the site grading regulations within the Land Use Bylaw. This would facilitate an effective and balanced approach to site grading across the County that considers site context and provincial jurisdiction. Council will consider the presentations made during the hearing and any written submissions registered and will make a decision at a future Council meeting.
Consolidated Contract Award Report February 26 – March 17, 2025
Council received the Consolidated Contract Award Report February 26 – March 17, 2025 as information. This report outlines contracts worth more than $500,000 issued by Sturgeon County.
Bylaw 1670/24 – Amendment to Land Use Bylaw 1385/17
Council gave second and third reading to Bylaw 1670/24. The bylaw amendment redistricted a portion of a 17.19-acre parcel from R4 – Hamlet Residential to DC24 – Direct Control District 24. The purpose of this application is to facilitate the relocation of a Recreational Vehicle Sale operation (All Sun’s RV Ltd) to Rivière Qui Barre.
Bylaw 1676/25 – Amendment to Land Use Bylaw 1385/17
Council gave the first reading of Bylaw 1676/25 to allow for a proposed Land Use Bylaw amendment to proceed to Public Hearing to receive feedback from affected parties.
Bison Low Carbon Ventures Inc. is proposing a carbon sequestration facility at their lease site located approximately one mile west of the Legal Crossroads Area Structure Plan by the Town of Legal, and a land use bylaw amendment is necessary to allow for this development.
Sand and Gravel Advisory Committee Recommendation – Reclamation
Council directed Administration to provide recommendations before summer 2025 on the potential reclamation of lands used for gravel operations for recreation purposes, as suggested within Sand and Gravel Advisory Committee correspondence. The Committee raised this matter with Council after industry partners expressed an interest in providing lands to the County.
Options for Historic Resource Designation (Victoria Trail and Bridge)
Council directed Administration to implement a heritage marker for the Victoria Trail, in addition to the development of a Municipal Historic Area Designation Bylaw for intact portions of Victoria Trail for Council’s future consideration.
Victoria Trail, also sometimes known as the Carlton Trail or Fort Garry (Winnipeg) Trail, is often referred to as “the first highway” in western Canada for its role as an early and primary overland travel route for exploration, mission, and settlement in the Canadian West.
2025 Assessment and Financial Update
Council directed Administration to prepare the 2025 Taxation Rates Bylaw to reflect a municipal tax rate reduction from 1.66% to 0% by using additional tax revenue anticipated from the annual assessment declaration in 2025, and by replacing new 2025 debt with $5.0 million from the Municipal Tax Stabilization Reserve (to be repaid by the 2024 operating surplus).
Despite Council’s efforts to implement a tax reduction, residents will see increases on their annual property tax bill due to the rise in educational taxes that are collected by Sturgeon County on behalf of the Government of Alberta. Sturgeon County has no control over education tax requisition required by the province each year.
Council also received a financial update in support of its decision making on the municipal tax rate for 2025.
Community Aggregate Payment (CAP) Levy Option
Council approved the distribution of the Community Aggregate Payment (CAP) Levy revenue as follows: 50% General Revenue, 37.5% Recognized Community Associations, 12.5% CAP Levy Reserves and directed Administration to bring forward associated policy updates.
Tobogganing Activities on Municipal Land
Council defeated a motion for Administration to complete a feasibility study to determine level of service options for tobogganing hills in Sturgeon County. A feasibility study would have provided recommendations and evaluate the related organizational impacts on staffing and resources.
Safe Communities Facilitator Permanent Position
Council approved the transition of its Safe Communities Facilitator position from a temporary (1.0 FTE) to a permanent (1.0 FTE) position, effective April 6, 2025. This position is responsible for identifying crime prevention and reduction strategies within Sturgeon County and building strong community relationships and programs to raise awareness and address community safety issues.
Sturgeon Valley Core Area Structure Plan
Administration provided information to Council on possible amendment to the Sturgeon Valley Core Area Structure Plan to remove all lands identified as Valley Core Reserve north of Twp Rd 544A (excepting those lands that are currently subject to an Outline Plan application). This amendment would allow the lands to retain their existing agricultural designation and assist in preserving the unique character of the Sturgeon Valley Core. No further action was taken by Council following administration’s presentation.
CLOSED SESSION – Contractual Matter
Council discussed a contractual matter in closed session.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Council Correspondence
Council received a Letter from the Honourable Ric McIver, Minister of Municipal Affairs regarding Budget 2025 – Education Property Tax. The letter informed the County that the Government of Alberta is increasing the proportion of Alberta Education’s operating budget covered by education property taxes to 31.6 per cent in 2025/2026 and 33 per cent in 2026/2027. Sturgeon County collects educational property taxes on behalf of the Government of Alberta.
CLOSED SESSION – Assessment Complaints Update
Council discussed an assessment complaint update in closed session.
Next Council Meeting
The next Sturgeon County Council meeting will be held at 9 a.m. on April 8, 2025. Future agendas and past meeting minutes can be found online.
Fast facts about land use bylaw amendments and public hearings
View our webpage about land use planning and community engagement.
View our interactive regulations map.
At Sturgeon County, before Council gets public feedback on a proposed land use bylaw amendment, it gives the proposed bylaw first reading. This does not mean Council supports the bylaw; this allows the proposed bylaw to go to the next stage of the bylaw process, which is gathering public input.
Public hearings, along with other public notices, are promoted on the public notices page on the Sturgeon County website as well as in local newspapers, on social media, and on road signs in accordance with the new Sturgeon County Public Notification Bylaw.
Public hearings are open to any members of the public to view or provide input.
Viewing the public hearing: You can view the hearing in-person or via livestream at sturgeoncounty.ca/CouncilMeetings
Making a written submission: you can provide a written submission by email up to the close of the public hearing.
Speaking at the public hearing: you can provide a statement at the public hearing in person or via videoconference. You are encouraged to pre-register to speak in-person at the public hearing. If you wish to speak via videoconference, you must register at least 24 hours prior to the opening of the public hearing. Register by contacting Legislative Services at 780-939-8277.
When considering public input, Council considers how and to what degree the person is impacted by the proposed amendment.
