Sturgeon County Council Recap | May 9, 2023

Proclamations

Mayor Alanna Hnatiw proclaimed the week of May 8, 2023, as Economic Development Week in Sturgeon County.

Resource Extraction Bylaw

Council directed Administration to amend Bylaw 1607/22 to reflect, within the Resource Extraction land use district, a split setback based on commodity type. This includes:

• a 400m setback between operations and single and multi-lot residences for sand, gravel, and clay operations, and
• a 800m setback between operations and single and multi-lot residences for silica sand operations.

Council also directed that a Resource Extraction Direct Control district be included within the amended bylaw, supporting flexibility for operators to apply for setback reductions on a site-by-site basis, and the inclusion of other performance standards and requirements previously reviewed.

Council also directed that a supporting policy be developed toprovide additional guidance on resource extraction activities in proximity to Livestock Operations, recognizing the protection of agriculture as a primary land use in Sturgeon County. The proposed policy would be subject to the approval of Bylaw 1607/22.

The amended bylaw will come back for Council consideration on May 23, 2023. If the proposed amendments are supported and second reading is given, a second public hearing will be scheduled for public comment in June 2023.

Land Use Bylaw Amendments

Council passed Bylaw 1619/23, which amends the Sturgeon Valley South Area Structure Plan by including a requirement for an outline plan for a proposed Neighbourhood Area Structure Plan (NASP). The outline plan would provide more detail at a site-specific level and would show how the proposed development would align with the NASP.

Council recommended additional amendments be made to Bylaw 1609/23, which proposes to create Sturgeon Valley Land Use Districts and an urban reserve overlay. The amendments would provide for a continuation of agricultural subdivision regulations within the proposed urban reserve overlay. The updated bylaw will be brought forward for consideration at a future Council Meeting.

Council gave first reading of Bylaw 1628/23, which proposes to redistrict a portion of NW-6-57-23-W4M (Lot 1, Block 1, Plan 1722474) from AG – Agriculture District to REC – Recreational District for a disc golf course. The applicant plans to lease the recreation zoned portion of the land to a registered non-profit society that focuses on providing affordable outdoor sport opportunities for Albertans, with a specific focus on disc golf.

A public hearing will be scheduled before Council considers the bylaw further. Details on the public hearing will be posted on the Public Notices page on the Sturgeon County website.

Road Closure Bylaw – NE-16-54-26-W4M

Council directed a second public hearing be scheduled for Bylaw 1626/23 – Road Closure Bylaw regarding the proposed closure of an undeveloped road allowance located at NE-16-54-26-W4M near Range Road 263 north of Highway 633. The closure is required due to a bridge repair conducted previously and is a procedural matter to fulfill Alberta Transportation requirements for road closures.

Following the closure of the Public Hearing held on April 11, Administration identified the opportunity to provide additional information in order to clarify the scope of the proposal. The second Public Hearing will be held on June 13, 2023, as part of the Regular Council Meeting. Additional details on the public hearing will be posted on the Public Notices page on the Sturgeon County website.

Road Construction – Contract Awards

Council awarded the following contracts:

• 2023 Pavement Preservation Program – Mill and Fill, to St. Albert Parking Lot Maintenance Ltd. at a contract price of $1,164,326.75 (excluding GST). The work will be taking place in a variety of locations as identified in the project map.
• Township Road 570 Rehabilitation Project from Highway 44 to East of the Alcomdale Hamlet access to Central Civil Solutions Inc at a contract price of $929,705.68 (excluding GST).
• Bridge File 08369, Bridge Culvert Replacement on Range Road 251 North of Highway 642 and other work tender (2023-066), to Avid Energy Services Inc. at contract price of $618,402.65 (excluding GST).

First Reading of Borrowing Bylaw for Estates Way construction

Council give first reading of Bylaw 1629/23, which proposes to authorize the use of long-term borrowing to fund the reconstruction and surfacing of a section Estates Way from Park Road to Range Road 225 located within the Sturgeon Industrial Park. The County is looking to upgrade a 500-meter section from a gravel surface to a paved surface for a total of $1.16 million. The County is proposing to borrow 80% of the project cost ($928,114) to cover the developer’s share of the infrastructure upgrade, which would be recovered through off-site levies.

Public Hearings

Council held a public hearing for a proposed Public Notification Bylaw 1618/23, which outlines how the County proposes to meet its legislated public notification requirements as set out in the Municipal Government Act. Council will consider the the submissions made at the Public Hearing and will make a decision regarding the Bylaw at a future Council Meeting.

The Bylaw will be advertised in various media outlets and posted on the Sturgeon County website to provide information to residents and to allow for petitions before Council considers second and third reading at a future Council meeting.

Public Hearings – Rezoning for Resource Extraction

Council held two public hearings for bylaws proposing redistricting for resource extraction operations:

• Bylaw 1621/23– Redistricting of a Portion of SW-28-54-27-W4M from AG – Agriculture District to RE – Resource Extraction District. The applicant is proposing to amend Land Use Bylaw 1385/17 to facilitate a natural resource extraction operation. The subject land is 61.13 hectares (151.05 acres) and has a residence located to the west of the parcel adjacent to Range Road 274. The applicant intends to redistrict approximately 25.75 hectares (63.63 acres) from AG – Agriculture District to RE – Resource Extraction District, which would create split zoning on the parcel.Administration noted errors in notification of adjacent landowners regarding this public hearing. Accordingly, the public hearing will be continued during the May 23, 2023 Council Meeting to allow for proper notice and opportunity for public comment.
• Bylaw 1622/23 – Redistricting of a Portion of N-27-54-27-W4M from AG – Agriculture District to RE – Resource Extraction District. The applicant is proposing to amend Land Use Bylaw 1385/17 to facilitate a natural resource extraction operation. The proposed redistricting mostly includes lands within NE-27-54-27-4; however, also includes a small portion of land within NW-27-54-27-4, totaling 6.19 hectares (15.30 acres). The subject area is currently districted AG – Agriculture and the applicant intends to redistrict to RE – Resource Extraction, which would create split zoning on the parcels.Administration noted errors in notification of adjacent landowners regarding this public hearing. Accordingly, the public hearing will be continued during the May 23, 2023 Council Meeting to allow for proper notice and opportunity for public comment.