Objections to noise bylaw

Times Contributor    

 

Wheatland County’s public hearing on Nov. 20 and subsequent passing of the new noise bylaw drew some objections from two council members and one submitted letter. No one was in public attendance.

The bylaw is to prohibit certain noisy activities that disrupt others’ quiet enjoyment and to lessen the incidence of noise during certain hours within the boundaries of Wheatland County. See the Wheatland County website for the bylaw. (2012-79) www.wheatlandcounty.ca/index.php

“We have complaints from large to small and do continue to get complaints each year,” said Peace officer Sgt. Jeff Cyr. “I would like to see that there are reasonable people and we wouldn’t need to have a bylaw such as this, but unfortunately there are unreasonable people out there.”

Officers said that by having the bylaw, it allows them the right to address complaints when ratepayers call in.

Ratepayer LaVerne Erickson wrote that the proliferation of governance at all levels is becoming a social concern. He said the pioneer values of human dignity, ingenuity, cooperation, self-determination and community spirit eroding due to the excess regulation.

“What would motivate a council to develop a seven page document trying to regulate noise?” asked Erickson. “Perhaps it would be better to enact an educational bylaw on neighbourly negotiation.”

Erickson felt excessive commercial and industrial noise could fall under existing permits, dogs barking under animal bylaws. 

What is noise to one person is music to another.

“I enjoy hearing the noise of children playing, musicians practising in the long summer nights, geese loudly honking at sunrise or agricultural machinery running at all hours, trying to stay ahead of the weather. These noises of loud laughter at jokes, and a thousand other summer noises are all part of life in Wheatland County, where winter comes too soon and nature’s snowy silence covers the land,” stated Erickson.

Councillor Brenda Knight felt the hours of  9 p.m. to 6 a.m., may hamper farmers adjacent to the villages and hamlets in their farming activities.

“I am opposed to this. We are over regulating. You should be able to enjoy your property without the law coming down on you. I think sometimes we go too far,” said Councillor Alice Booth.

The bylaw passed second and third reading, coming into effect, with four votes in agreement, Booth and Knight opposed and one councillor not in attendance.

 

Memory Tree may come down

A large tree at a local party spot, next to Strathmore campground off  RR243A, is set for removal to decrease party usage on the property. 

The adjacent landowner has placed a gate across the South end of the area. He did this to discourage the party activity, but is still dealing with garbage and people letting livestock out. He wanted to place another gate on the north end to effectively cordon off the area from use.

Councillors discussed that it was public road allowance and that the County could not support the fencing of public access. There are many other road allowances in the county that farmers might want to fence.

“We can’t have you guys saying you can’t go in. I think we are creating more problems with this. It is a touchy issue and may set a precedent,” said Councillor Ben Armstrong.

Councillor Alice Booth questioned the County’s response to the party activity and stated she felt it was unfair to leave the farmer with no tools to mitigate it.

“Our responsibility is the road. We can’t have the fence there unless we legally close the road,” said CAO Jennifer Deak.

Discussion concluded that policing was the only option for the landowner and that he should remove the gate. They directed removal of the large tree sheltering the spot, to take away its gathering appeal.

Officers pointed out that the tree had crosses and other memorabilia marking the spot and some people may have some emotional attachment to the tree.

 

Action taken to help the Strathmore Rural Fire 

Fighting Association

Councillors directed staff to draft a bylaw for first reading, to support the takeover of the Association’s loan totalling $132,015.07. Advertisement in local papers will designate a public hearing date. CAO Jennifer Deak said that the action helps lower the Association’s monthly payments and keeps the Association viable. Members of the Association come from both Strathmore and Carseland Rural Fire.

Councillor Ben Armstrong said that the bylaw and subsequent public hearing give the public a chance to give their feedback and raise awareness for the Fire association’s issues.