Alix residents can have chickens soon in residential areas only after council gave first reading to a revised bylaw regulating chickens and coops in the village.
Council considered allowing chickens in agricultural and urban reserve districts but decided, during their regular meeting Feb. 7, to only allow them in residential districts.
“This fits with what I’m hearing from council,” said Alix’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Michelle White told council when presenting them their options.
She provided three options including: in residential only; in any district other than commercial or industrial; or in residential and agricultural and urban reserve areas.
During council’s Jan. 17 meeting council declined giving the bylaw second reading in order for CAO White to revise the draft bylaw to include suggestions council made, such as the distance for setbacks of coops from fences or houses and which districts they should be allowed.
CAO White also revised the draft bylaw to change the definition ‘keep’ to ‘possess.’ The bylaw was also amended to ensure a coop is housed in the rear or side yard of a property.
The village allowed a temporary chicken coop but it’s currently located in an urban reserve district.
A public hearing will be held for the bylaw but no date has been set yet.
Fire chief appointment
Village council approved the Alix Fire Department’s re-election of Fire Chief Darren Hiron. Corrie Anderson and Ken Anderson were re-elected as deputy fire chiefs.
Joyce Simard will continue as treasurer; Holly Plunkett will continue as secretary; and Ian Andrews will continue as Member of the Floor.
Other appointed positions include: Fire Training Officer – Ken Henry; Lieutenant – Scott Stadynk; Equipment Managers – Cody Kromm and Al Zimmer; Medical Captains – Jill Hillman and Trish Verveda; and Fire Trainer – Ken Henry.
Auditor presentation
Daniel Luymes, of BDO in Lacombe, educated the new council for more than an hour on BDO’s role as the village’s financial auditor and the audit process and gave councillors the chance to ask questions.
Lisa Joy
ECA Review
