County Council in Brief

Posted on: Staff Writer

From edition: December 27 2019 Strathmore Times

Wednesday, December 17, 2019
Information from Wheatland County Council Regular Meeting

2019-26, an amendment to land use re-zoning near Cheadle, was passed.
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2019-33, a public hearing on the intermunicipal development plan (IDP) with Kneehill County regarding discretionary use development permits. Drumheller and Wheatland County already have an IDP but the specific land use areas overlap with Kneehill County as well. Rosebud County residents Wendy Clark and Rick Skibsted provided an update on Rosebud River Valley conservation efforts. Some area residents have created a partnership with Western Sky Land Trust to protect privately owned land in the valley. As the issue spans both Wheatland and Kneehill Counties, and Kneehill County’s public hearing is scheduled for January, Wheatland County council deferred debate at this time.
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County residents were able to have their say regarding the Alberta First resolution proposed in early November by Division 1 Councillor Jason Wilson. Council received more than 140 emails, numerous phone calls and over 40 residents attended the Dec. 17 council meeting. Council accepted an amended resolution that removed the request for a referendum on independence by a vote of 4-3.
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Canadian Badlands Tourism, which has over 61 municipal memberships, gave a presentation. Their funding has been “mostly cut” but they are developing sustainability programs to keep the initiative alive. The provincial government keeps around $40 million of the tourism tax and the group is lobbying to have some of that money go back into tourism initiatives.
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Bylaw 2019-27, to allow employee dwellings inside of the Lakes of Muirfield golf course clubhouse was moved to first reading. A public hearing will be scheduled for Jan. 14 at 9 a.m.
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Bylaw 2019-38, to amend existing rural address signage for rural lands that share an approach, to assist both municipalities and emergency services. Bylaw was passed as amended.

Complete minutes from council meetings can be found at www.wheatlandcounty.ca once they have been adopted.