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Nearly 400 People Attend Lamont County Land Use Public Hearing
Nearly 400 People Attend Lamont County Land Use Public Hearing
Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser
Members of Lamont County Council and Administration expected a large turn-out for its Aug. 15 special meeting at the Lamont Recreation Centre, but they probably did not expect nearly 400 people to be in attendance.
According to Lamont County Communications Coordinator Jay Zaal, there were approximately 375 attendees with 15 people listening via livestream.
Following the adoption of the agenda, Reeve David Diduck stated, “The only topic of discussion is the public hearing, and that is the only topic that will be allowed to be discussed are items related to the LUB, (Land Use Bylaw) and MDP, (Municipal Development Plan). Discussion regarding staff and operations will not be entertained.”
Following introduction of council members, Diduck went over the ground rules and any comments would have to be directed through the Chair. Economic Development Officer Tina Cosby gave a power point presentation on the MDP and LUB before turning the floor back over to Chair Diduck.
“It’s very awesome and fantastic turnout to tonight’s meeting,” stated Diduck.
He went on to say, “Obviously, a big step forward from public hearing held on January 24 where we had three written submissions and two in-person presentations.
From there we went to the March 4 meeting where we determined to give residents an additional 60 days to send in written questions and concerns. We received 17 letters. Council summarized those opinions and are going to take those under consideration.
But after that meeting it was determined that we needed a second public hearing, and the main reason for that was that the residents felt that the advertising for the first meeting was inadequate. So, we definitely took large measures to ensure that the advertising for this meeting was front and center and obviously, it’s had some very positive results, so thank you one and all for attending tonight.”
The first presenter of the evening was Sada Gagnon, who resides in the Industrial Heartland. – First of all I’d like to thank everybody for coming. We had to fight hard for this meeting amongst what’s being told here. It wasn’t just handed to us, we fought hard to get this second meeting so I appreciate every single one of you that came here. (Applause) This was not handed to us so I appreciate that we get some benefit on that, not just council, because were right there fighting you guys and you wanted to pass that right through; one, two, three, nobody know anything. Secondly, I have to say I’m pretty disheartened by talking to people in this county, how many people are afraid to stand up and talk to you guys or say something because it’s the old boys club or the repercussions for speaking up, or something’s going to happen to their land.”
Gagnon warned council that if any repercussions come as a result of ratepayers speaking out that they will all join together and there will be future repercussions on them. That comment drew robust applause from attendees. Pointing to members of council sitting on this stage, Gagnon pointed out, “These people pay you to be here so it’s time you hear us. I’m so tired of hearing strict rules. This public hearing is for the public so if we have questions we should be allowed to ask even if it’s multiple questions.”
Gagnon’s concern was with the stipulation that a single detached dwelling could only be rebuilt when it has been destroyed by an Act of God. She pointed out that it was not in the 2007 LUB and openly asked why it was included in the proposed LUB revisions.
Reeve Diduck asked which section she was referring to when someone in the crowd yelled out, “Didn’t you guys read it?” Gagnon then asked the question, “Isn’t it your guys’ job to catch these weirdly written rules and regulations of what you’re putting on us? Not the average Joe.”
When it came to questions, ratepayer Sylvia Holowach had a few of her own. But she started off by thanking Councillors Aaron Wick and Neil Woitas for the support they had voiced and shown up to this point. She also thanked council for granting county residents another opportunity to voice concerns regarding these proposed land use bylaws.
“A huge thank you to the residents of Thorhild County for exposing their plight and in turn waking almost every landowner in Alberta to take a closer look at the bylaws being presented to them. And last, but not least, thank you everyone that’s here tonight. Thank you so, so, so much.”
Holowach asked Diduck if she could ask questions now or after her presentation, and he responded by saying, “Council is not accepting questions, but we will ask you questions.”
She countered, “Okay, so I can’t ask you guys if you read this document.” Diduck replied, “You can ask, sure. I’m prepared to answer that.”
Holowach asked, “Council, have you all read the MDP and LUB documents and be honest please.”
Diduck said he had. Councillor Roy Anaka said, “I have read most of it and I have a lot of questions and don’t understand part of it.” Councillor Daniel Warawa said, “I read about three quarters of it and there’s also a lot of questions that I have.”
Councillor Woitas said, “I skimmed through it, but definitely with the help of the residents now when it was presented they said it was basically what we have now with a few changes. Totally honest, I didn’t read it word for word the first time around, but now, like I said there’s a lot of stuff coming out.”
Councillor Wick said, “I think you and I have been in contact enough that you to know that I’ve read a lot of it, not all of it, A lot of it, same as you, did not understand, but we are both working, I think that this is what it’s about. I am the same as you guys, I did not understand a lot of it, and we just found some more stuff again that we don’t.”
Presenters Theresa and Peter Lysyk requested the county have offensive nuisance noise guidelines for all industries put in the form of a bylaw and that a clause be included in the LUB. Other presenters brought forward concerns regarding identification of hazard lands one in 100-year flood level, permitting, designation of environmentally sensitive areas, development costs and requirements for subdivisions, multi-family dwellings on the same parcel of land, etc.
After hearing over two hours of testimony, Diduck ended the public hearing and the meeting was adjourned, but not before telling attendees that council would be taking a long hard look at all of the testimony and letters before making a decision. He did not respond to an earlier question from Gagnon who asked if the amendments to the bylaws would be made public before they are passed.
