Clearwater County council heard from concerned residents at a July 24, 2025 public hearing regarding proposed Land Use Bylaw (LUB) rewrite. (Clearwater County/YouTube)

By Jordan Rein

"I hate this bylaw"

Clearwater County tables second reading of contentious Land Use Bylaw (LUB) rewrite

Aug 3, 2025 | 8:00 AM

Clearwater County has tabled second reading of its Land Use Bylaw rewrite after receiving an earful from residents during a July 24 public hearing in Caroline.

Dozens of residents showed up to the hearing, with some stepping up to the microphone imploring council to respect perceived rural landowner rights and freedoms, reject urban or globalist oversight, among many other concerns.

One resident from Withrow stated succinctly that she “hates” the proposed amendments.

A Nordegg resident expressed concerns the proposed node development in the Saunders-Alexo and Whitegoat Lake region see the area becoming “another Canmore”.

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Another resident implored council to ensure residents have the freedom to do what they like with their lands— including putting a secondary residence for aging parents.

“If you want to live in Red Deer or Airdrie, go ahead, you can have your woke agenda— I don’t want it,” said another resident. “Why the hell do you think I live out here?”

Following the hearing, Clearwater County shared an online update highlighting three principles guiding the rewrite process.

• This rewrite modernizes outdated rules
• It adds flexibility, not restrictions
• It’s based entirely on local needs, not outside agendas

The bylaw, which passed first reading in council chambers on June 24, aims to make a number of updates to the county’s existing LUB, which was passed in 2001.

Since then, a number of amendments have been made relaxing certain restrictions on recreational vehicles, and ‘Direct Market Sales’ such as farmers market tables, among others.

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“Tabling, will continue the work [on the bylaw], and it can still be defeated,” said Coun. Genny Mehlhaff who committed to advocating for amendments heard from residents in her division, as well as those in attendance at the meeting.

After getting the hours-long verbal onslaught from residents, Coun. Jordon Northcott conceded that a closer look may indeed be required.

Second reading will be considered at a future meeting. You can read the July 24 updated draft bylaw here.