Big Valley council is not impressed that the County of Stettler did not consult the village about a sand and gravel development proposed for a property directly east of the village, off Highway 56.
At the June 16 meeting, council directed administration to send a letter to the county expressing their disappointment that the County’s municipal planning commission approved a development permit application for the new pit without notifying the village. Currently, an existing pit sits directly across Hwy 56 from the proposed pit. Both are on private land within the county and are about a mile from Big Valley.
According to County Development Officer Jacinta Donovan, the developer still needs to get Alberta Environment approval and must also meet several conditions for gravel pits. The application was properly advertised and adjacent landowners were notified.
Big Valley had sent a letter to the County about an intermunicipal development plan between the village and the county but had not received an answer at the time of the meeting. The plan would address developments on county land bordering the village.
Nuisance animals
Council made a few amendments to the animal control bylaw before giving the bylaw second reading.
Some of the amendments included limiting the use of village traps to village residents and stipulating that animals must be trapped humanely.
Before proceeding to third reading at the next council meeting, council will seek further public input.
No change to speed limit
Residents will continue to be required to slow down to 30km per hour on Railway Avenue after council voted two to one in favour of retaining the lower speed limit.
Coun. Sandra Schell motioned to raise the limit to 50km per hour. The limit was lowered to accommodate tourists walking from the train station across Railway Avenue and up Main Street.
Schell explained the limit unfairly penalizes residents but Mayor Lois Miller and Coun. Ken Johnson voted against the motion, stating that the limit was a safety issue.
