Tara's Council Update - Sept 9, 2013

Happy Thursday,

My record for getting council updates our before the papers has been broke by the flu.  It went through our house with everyone getting sick and it's only today that we're all healthy. Regular start to the school year, but disrupted my flow!

In September, Council work gets back into the routine with two council meetings a month and council committees meeting again.  One of the committees I work on is the Inter-Municipal Committee between Rockyview County and Cochrane.  In this committee members of both councils and senior staff discuss joint issues and stay connected.  This meeting was similar to most with updates from both municipalities and discussion on projects like the pool, curling center and issues like fencing between our urban border and their rural ranching communities.  Our council lobbied hard for a solid financial contribution from Rockyview for the new pool and curling center but it's up to their council to decide how to distribute their resources.

A win:  Town staff are not including what their communication/public engagement is for each project in the council reports.  We continue to improve in our communications!

Tara's Council Update

View Agenda and Public Hearing Agendas here

Overview:  3 Public hearings and decision on the related bylaws, decision to continue with municipal bench marking partnership, decision on new council meeting times, update on Wetlands policy work.

1.  Bylaw 16/2013 - Residential Districts -  No public at this public hearing.  The developer spoke to the benefit in that this amendment allows them to introduce another variety of housing.  Councillor Toews and I both had suggestion for further public engagement but our planning managers point that interest on new developments is different than interest on existing communities is well taken.  

This change allows for town homes to be street focused instead of inside facing which is the traditional model.  With the changes it allows for these to be better blended into the communities.  Reassuring to hear that if anything parking should be better.  

It's expected that this form of housing is expected to be used in new developments and not in existing neighborhoods until they reach the 50 age mark and start to re-develop.  As the East End is nearing this point, I'm concerned for the possible impacts to the older neighborhoods.  But as the planning commission (made up of public members and council) would make the decision on this and communities would have the chance to provide feedback, I think this in a good position.

Passed 7 All.

2.  Bylaw 17/2013 - Omnibus to Land Use Bylaw - Unlike federal omnibus legislature that makes sweeping changes, these changes are really about minor details to the Land Use Bylaw like grammar changes and word consistency.  Have no fear, you can still have 2 adult ostriches in the rural areas of Cochrane.  (whew.. I was worried there might be debate on that! :))  No public feedback, but not expected as this is just cleanup.  

Passed 7 All


3.  Bylaw 18/2013  - River Heights Commercial Use Re-designation -   This is to allow for religious institutions (ie Church) to be in the area of Cochrane Toyata etc.  It wouldn't be my first pick to have a church next to highway commercial but as the applicants were for it and spoke to how this is a growing trend, I had no concerns.  No public feedback but a representative of the applicant spoke for it.

Passed 7 All

4.  Municipal Bench Marking - Year Two

Last year council gave approval for Cochrane to join a partnership of like communities to share information.  Their work was delayed due to the impact of the flood on so many neighboring communities but this was an ask to join for year 2.  Some discussion from council that this program instead of providing best in class solutions lead to leveling of services.  ie. - If Airdrie only spent X, we should only spend X, instead of considering the unique needs and deliveries of each community.  I see this as an chance to share knowledge and find improvements, so I was in favor of continuing.

Passed 7 All

5. Notice of Motion - Procedural Bylaw - (Council meeting times)   Notice of motions are how individual councilors can introduce changes.  Councillor Brooker brought the Council Meeting times back to the table.  He'd changed his mind on his decision of the last meeting.  This is an old argument for me, championing that council meetings should be available to the public and not barred by council meeting times that make it difficult for them to attend.  Councillor Brooker supported moving the meetings to 1 AM.  After much debate, and my loosing a number of decisions 6-1, council settled on what I think is an acceptable middle ground.  One meeting a month will be at 1 PM and 1 meeting a month will be at 6 PM

6.  Strategic Planning - Wetlands Policy - Strategic Planning sessions are how council gets updates on key items with the freedom of not being in a formal council meeting.  Makes it easier to ask questions and get clarity.  These are open to the public.

This session was on the Wetlands Policy that we've been working on.  As we get closer to developing the lands in south Cochrane it's key that we have this in place as these lands are "knob and kettle" (full of small hills and wetlands).  The question is, what does preserving wetlands in the Cochrane context mean? 

Staff have done a good job at trying to engage the public in this complex issue. With a few tweaks. The Province doesn't have this clear yet, either.  To get information and to share your thoughts visit the website here 

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As always, if you have questions or comments, contact me at tara.mcfadden@gmail.com  

And please share these updates with your neighbors!

Best,

Tara