As partners in Boomtown Trail, it was incorporated into Elnora’s Land Use Bylaw that all commercial properties conform to a ‘Design Guideline’ developed by Boomtown Trail.
Boomtown Trail is a tourist route beginning in Edmonton and ending in Calgary. It has several guidelines for municipalities on the trail to follow but Elnora’s council felt this wasn’t necessary to be a part of any more as they are required to follow the guidelines including updated signage.
“It adds another level of difficulty and extra cost for development,” said Mayor Robert Aellen.
Red Deer County is currently undergoing a review of the village’s Land Use Bylaw and required confirmation if it was intended to be incorporated.
Council carried a motion to remove the Boomtown Trail Design Guideline requirement from the municipality’s Land Use Bylaw.
Elnora Campground
Ball tournaments and off-site camping were brought to the discussion table.
Deputy Mayor Leah Nelson noticed vehicles parking wherever they pleased around the campground while it was reserved.
She also found the entrance to the Public Works building blocked off by vehicles, posing a serious issue in the face of an emergency.
Nelson mentioned possibly making two sites into one to create large sites for the larger RVs and trailers now on the road.
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Sharon Wesgate suggested council look at the area as a group to get a feel for what they think would work.
Mayor Aellen added that they could designate larger lots at the end of the campground. “I don’t know if it’s anything we need to worry about,” said Coun. Karrilyn Mose.
An example of a packed campground came from Elnora’s 21st annual Brahma Rama at the Elnora Campground on Sat. Aug. 10.
“I have done the same walk down there when it has been full and people have their slides out. They are making it work. It may be a little bit different if they are having fires and stuff like that but there isn’t any issues,” said Coun. Mose.
Council asked administration to bring the topic back for discussion next year and will monitor the situation for the time being.
As for ball tournament season, Nelson was “shocked at the disrespect I have seen.”
During the men’s baseball tournament, a group had a fire right in the middle of a ball diamond and people were parked everywhere they could fit, including between the bleachers.
Council agreed to approach the agricultural society and baseball association to figure out who should be monitoring the area and adding the possibility of a deposit-deduction system so situations like this no longer occur.
Bookings are done through coaches and have been working well.
Front door access
A resident complaint regarding the village office’s front doors came to a close after Red Deer County fire services inspected the infrastructure. Red Deer County is Elnora’s fire codes provider and determined there to be no issues surrounding the aged facilities front doors.
The complainant was worried about the swing of the doors as they only swung inwards into the building.
Although no confirmed date of the building is available, it is believed to be constructed in the early 1900s, well before any Alberta Building Code existed.
Since the door is considered regular maintenance and is grandfathered into the current provincial building codes, there was no legal issue and no major renovations required.
Tree branch cleanup
When undertaking an ‘Unsightly Premises’ inspection prior to the Elnora Brahmarama, it was noted that there were tree branch piles at several sites around the village.
There was a discussion on the viability of purchasing a tree chipper but administration suggested a short-term option to handle the debris like an appliance pickup which is a day where people arrange to have stockpiled branches removed by Public Works staff for a cost recovery fee.
Council felt mid-October may be a suitable time of year to do this practice as it is tied into other cleanup activities.
Terri Huxley
ECA Review
