The following topics were discussed at the Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, May 18.

Bylaw 1077, 2021 – Land Use Bylaw Amendment – Redesignate Lots 7-10 Block 6 Plan 2347BS from Retail Commercial C-1 to Drive in Commercial C-2 – Second and Third Reading

The proposed bylaw involves the re-designation of Lots 7-10 Block 6, Plan 2347BS, from Retail Commercial C-1 to Drive-in Commercial C-2 for the purpose of accessory use of vehicle parking to an “Auto Repair Shop”. The Land Use Re-designation is part of a development application to bring the current land use into compliance. The current vehicle parking on the subject property (vacant) is used by the adjacent property (Mountain Valley Automotive) for vehicles waiting for auto repair. The current Retail Commercial C-1 zoning of the subject property was for a Church that has since been re-located. Retail Commercial C-1 does not permit “Auto Repair” or “accessory use to auto repair ” as a use and therefore the parking use on the subject property is currently non-conforming to the Land Use Bylaw. Discussions with the landowner to bring the property into compliance initiated an application for a 53 Land use amendment and development permit. The surrounding properties are zoned as Drive-in Commercial C-2. Councillor Glavin made a motion for second reading and the motion was carried. Councillor Girhiny then made a motion for third reading, which was also carried.

Bylaw 1078, 2021 - Land Use Bylaw Amendment - A redesignation of Lot 8, Block 12, Plan 6828EO from the Recreation & Open Space RO-1 District to the Multi-family Residential R-3 District for the purpose of townhouse development - First Reading

Bylaw 1078-2021 proposes to amend the Land Use Bylaw No. 868-2013, as amended, by redesignating Lot 8, Block 12, Plan 6828EO (the Dairy Road Park, Bellevue) from the Recreation & Open Space RO-1 District to the Multi-family Residential R-3 District for the purpose of townhouse development. The Municipal Development Plan identifies Dairy Road Park for transition to higher density residential development. This parcel is identified for transition from a park space to residential use. The parcel should be reserved for higher density residential use, taking advantage of the large intact parcel and its prime location. After the bylaw was presented to Council, Councillor Anctil made a motion for first reading. The motion was carried.

Letter of Concern - Outhouse Construction - May 13, 2021

A letter of concern was received in regards to location of one of the washrooms that was being installed along the walking trail. There is concern about smells as well as having to see it when driving by. This site was selected as it is along a very popular section of the community walking trail while also being somewhat centralized. When looking at Coleman, there are very limited locations along the walking path and even fewer locations if not to be located near any residents. This site is actually quite congested and has constructability issues, which had already lead to alternative locations being investigated. Councillor Sygutek said she would like council and administration to look at alternative spots. "If I had a house there, the last thing I would want to do is look out my window at an outhouse. I don't care where we have to put it but we should not be putting it near residential houses. I'm worried about the smell, I'm worried about the animal attractant, there are a number of issues and I understand why we're getting them but I would never ever vote to have an outhouse outside someone's house whether they see it or not. I really hope administration can find somewhere else to do it or I don't think we should have it at all." During further discussion, Council wondered if it would be possible to have one of the two outhouse structures near Albert Stella for the bike park users and place the other structure in between Frank and Blairmore along the walking trail. Councillor Sygutek made a motion that administration look into these locations as possible places for the outhouse structures. The motion was carried.

Economic Development Committee Update

The Economic Development Committee has been held in abeyance in anticipation of transitioning to the Community Marketing Advisory Committee under the General Committees Bylaw. Council wanted to consult further with the Economic Development Committee to gauge their opinion on the proposed transition. Council Held a discussion with EDC Chairperson Oliver Strickland about what direction the committee and its members would like to go. Councillor Ward asked how the board sees themselves moving forward. Strickland said he feels it's time to move forward with a different committee. "I have been in conversations with the CAO and where it seems like council wants to go I think it's in a good direction. I believe that administration's done a good job with the website. The website is positive, it's happening, social media is happening and that's good. We are marketing and we are doing a good job. I think it's time to move into a Crowsnest Marketing Committee. We think it's time to move ahead and do something else with this Council. I think it’s time to dissolve this committee. Let's get this Crowsnest Community Marketing Committee going." Strickland also proposed to Council the idea of having a task force like option that Council would be able to pick the people who could help solve the problems that come up. Mayor Painter said he believes that type of work could be very beneficial to the community. Following further discussion, Councillor Sygutek made a motion that Council dissolve the EDC and start recruiting for the Community Marketing Advisory Committee. Councillor Ward made a friendly amendment that Council dissolve the EDC and then have Council have further conversation about what direction Council wants to go in. The first motion was then made to dissolve the EDC and it was carried. Councillor Ward then made a second motion to bring back a discussion in June and discuss the idea of the Community Marketing Advisory Committee with or without a task force. That motion was also carried.

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