MD increases Biosphere funding
MD OF BIGHORN – Bighorn council made the decision to increase its support to the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley in 2023 to the tune of $10,900.
A funding request had come from the Biosphere Institute in September 2022, which asked for $14,000 for an increase from $7,800 previously provided by the MD.
“I do see the benefit of Biosphere in the MD of Bighorn,” Reeve Lisa Rosvold said. “They have been contacting the MD and asking how they can help with our strategic objectives concerning the environment and climate change.”
The funding for the Biosphere Institute were allocated in the 2023 operating budget out of the council initiatives program.
Some discussion was conducted by council over the funding increase of $7,800 and other options for funding were raised.
“The previous funding of $7,800 has been stagnant over the last few years,” Rosvold said. “This is a big jump that they are requesting but they also requested more from all the other municipalities. I am happy to support a higher funding amount.”
Coun. Rick Tuza put forward a request, which council passed, to fund a 50 per cent increase to $10,900 out of the 2023 budget. The remaining 50 per cent may come out of the 2024 budget during its deliberations.
The increase in funding will help the Biosphere Institute expand its capacity to provide a variety of services to residents. These include expanding the Future Leaders K-12 education program, supporting the MD through the WildSmart program, and engaging the MD in the Accelerate Climate Action in the Bow Valley.
“We have a lot of residents in Bighorn who are participating in those programs,” Rosvold said.
Council approves Harvie Heights Community Association grant request
To help the Harvie Heights Community Association (HHCA) with unexpected costs associated with its community hall renovation, MD council has approved a funding request of $5,033.71.
The renovations are being done to improve the accessibility of the bathrooms. Using money from a casino event, the HHCA has been renovating its community hall but unexpected damage was discovered by the contractor. The damage was to the underlay and supporting beams, found after the renovation began.
This work was not included in the original quote, and with renovations underway, additional work now has to be completed so the hall is operational by spring.
“They are renovating the hall so the washroom will be an accessible washroom,” said Doug Saul, community services coordinator. “During the renovations, the contractor said they took up the floor and it looks like it need work underneath the floor.”
The funding request is also to install an automated external defibrillator (AED) once the renovation is complete. Saul said the Exshaw Community Centre also has an AED. Director of Protective Services Andrew Box added Benchlands Community Hall also has an AED.
“The unit has to be protected from the cold so the battery stays usable and there are some security issues,” Saul said. “The Exshaw Community Centre works on a FOB key system. The Harvie Heights Community Association is looking at doing something with its security. They are looking at an input button with a number combination.”
MD hears from public on remote group facility bylaw amendment
Residents in the MD of Bighorn provided council feedback on a proposed amendment to the land use bylaw (LUB) that could potentially create a new type of land use in a remote group facility in the forestry and rural recreation district.
According to the staff report, a remote group facility is defined as summer camps, religious camps, training facilities for military forces, fitness camps and other uses of a similar nature. The current LUB does not have a use that would accommodate these group facilities.
The 1996 land use bylaw allowed a similar land use known as group recreation facilities and events, but it was removed in the 2010 land use bylaw.
“If you read the definition in the 1996 bylaw, it has the word temporary but doesn’t define what temporary is, which makes it difficult to enforce,” said Peter Scholz, the now former director of planning services. “It only allows for non-profit uses.”
Fritz Seidel, a member of the MD of Bighorn council from 1992 to 1998, spoke in opposition to the amendment.
“After producing the land use bylaws and general municipal plan, we found it served us well although there have been some amendments," Seidel said.
He added he attended the MD’s visioning sessions where he worked with a group of MD residents.
“Having looked through the material, we came to the only conclusion,” he said. “If it isn’t broke, there is nothing to fix.
“Now suddenly, we have to look over our bylaws and see how we can possibly accommodate those applicants who have not put down any money,” Seidel said. “I’m not sure that with our current land use bylaws, it is not sufficient to accommodate some of these inquiries. My position is people should put down their money, and there is a process that the public can participate.”
Seidel noted during his time on council, the provincial government removed the regional planning commission, which supervised the southern regional planning commission.
“We had many sessions and public meetings, and we started from scratch,” Seidel said. “We were guided by one of the senior planners that had been working for Ralph Klein, and an engineering company that helped us to create those documents.”
After hearing from the public, Coun. Rick Tuza asked if council would have the opportunity to discuss the list of uses, which may be causing confusion, specifically fitness programs.
The amendment will head to a later council meeting for decision.
MD hears public concerns over commercial developments
An informal request to build a convenience store on Richards Road near Ghost River Bridge led to a public hearing on select commercial development proposed in the MD of Bighorn.
Bighorn council heard from members of the public on proposed commercial developments in more remote areas of the municipality.
Bighorn administration found the existing land use bylaw does not adequately respond to such proposed commercial development, with the amendment proposed gas bars, restaurants, commercial outfitters and remote group facilities to the rural recreation district LUB.
“The planning department has received a number of inquiries regarding commercial uses in more remote areas,” said Scholz. “There is nowhere in the current land use bylaw that commercial uses are listed as permitted uses in these areas.”
Municipal staff told council is someone had property in the district they would have to go through the Municipal Planning Commission which would allow residents to voice opposition or support.
“The Municipal Planning Commission meetings are open to the public and advertised in advance,” Scholz said.
Doug Richards, a local resident, voiced opposition to the amendment for what he considered “opening the door” for more commercial development.
“At Ghost Marina, there is a gas and service station. I don’t know why you need another one.”
Richards added he felt these issues should be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
He added he felt added stores or gas bars in more rural areas would ultimately not be helpful.
“I am fairly self-sufficient and I wouldn’t find those conveniences necessary,” he said.
Rosvold asked if any land use could be changed to rural recreation.
“Private land, farming land, forestry lands, can any of those be applied and what would be a good case to allow the switch of land use,” she said.
Scholz said the owner or leaseholder of the land can apply to have their land redesignated.
The bylaw amendment will return to a later council meeting for a decision.
