Clearwater County passes Land Use Bylaw rewrite

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Thanks in part to months of public pressure, the draft had gone through multiple revisions.

“I feel like we have spend enough time, and more than enough taxpayer dollars on a damn good bylaw,” said Deputy Reeve Bryan Cermak. “It’s not perfect by any means, but we don’t live in a perfect world.”

A clause in the bylaw ensures it’ll be a living document, with a requirement for mandatory annual reviews to ensure it aligns with public priorities.

Coun. Genny Mehlhaff lauded some of the amendments that she says allow residents greater autonomy over their land, including loosened restrictions on sea cans, direct market sales, RV storage, secondary suites and more.

Calling it an unprecedented process, Coun. Neil Ratcliffe applauded the removal of restrictions that weren’t being enforced anyway — particularly in Nordegg.

Despite all the revisions, Coun. Jordon Northcott remained opposed.

“It’s been very clear to me that the majority of residents are in opposition to this Land Use Bylaw rewrite,” he says. “I there was an opportunity to create an improved LUB, but that clarity didn’t happen.”

In supporting the motion, Coun. Daryl Lougheed calling it an exhaustive process, adding that the bylaw is now “more right than wrong”.

Before the final vote, Reeve Michelle Swanson emphasized her desire for the next council to have a clean slate, with the ability to make changes as they see fit a year from now.

Councillor Barbara Gibson agreed, saying it would be “unfair” to saddle the next council with the work of passing the bylaw.

Once a fierce critic of the LUB rewrite, Marianne Cole, president the Clearwater County Taxpayers Association (CCTA) told 94.5 Rewind Radio that she appreciates the work put into it over the summer.

“Certainly I agree there are some positive changes to the document,” she says. “Is it a perfect document? No. But there is opportunity to make changes going forward.”

Marianne Cole speaking about what she deems positive changes to Clearwater County’s LUB.

Cole adds, she was please to see changes to restrictions on sea cans, RV storage, and use of private property — but believes rules around development permits remain too rigid.

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Lougheed says county administration deserves credit for being a leader in this respect, as he says other counties are now reaching out for guidance in their own legislative journey.

Third reading was passed in a 6-1 majority vote, with Northcott opposing.

by Jordan Rein

Clearwater County passes Land Use Bylaw rewrite

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