Kneehill County council discussed landfill concerns, along with other council matters at its regular meeting on Aug. 20.
In 2018, Kneehill County hired WSP Global Inc. to evaluate the existing Class 3 landfill and assess the remaining airspace. Based on waste density and cell size, the remaining airspace was projected to last 9.7 years, with the landfill expected to run out of space around 2027.
It was noted that without a scale at the site, all waste weights and volumes are estimated.
Kneehill County operates various waste disposal and recycling sites, including transfer sites, a Class 3 landfill, curbside collection in hamlets, an annual household hazardous waste round-up and access to facilities in neighbouring municipalities.
Residential household waste is collected through the curbside collection program for hamlet residents, while rural residents can drop off waste at any of the County’s transfer sites. The waste is stored in large transtor bins, which are then transported to the Drumheller and District Landfill.
To extend the landfill cell’s life, site attendants sort loads into available recycling options rather than allow general offloading into the landfill. This has helped maintain and extend the remaining airspace. According to Google, airspace is the volume of space in a landfill that is allowed to be used for the disposal of municipal solid waste.
With the landfill nearing the end of its lifespan, discussions were held on options that included constructing a new Class 3 landfill cell, allowing the landfill to reach the end of its lifecycle and closing it without new cells, or shift the County’s focus to recycling rather than maintaining a landfill.
“We need more information,” said Reeve Kenneth King. “We need a made-in-Kneehill solution.”
Council moved to restrict the use of the Torrington landfill to Kneehill County ratepayers or residents, effective Jan. 1, 2025.
Council also directed administration to investigate the cost of providing solid waste services within Kneehill County and at the Torrington site beyond the site’s current lifespan.
Railway Ave. closure
A request to purchase Railway Avenue, located on the east side of Ruben Scheele property in the former Hamlet of Allingham, was presented to council.
Closing the undeveloped avenue and purchasing the land would allow Scheele to maintain the area and increase the size of his lot.
It was noted that Scheele would be required to survey, purchase and consolidate Railway Avenue into the adjacent lots upon approval by council and the Minister of Transportation.
A consolidation of all six titles into one title would also be required.
The applicant currently owns approximately 6.6 acres, and the closure would add an additional two acres of land.
An encroachment agreement is currently registered on the title for a garage, which could be removed if the road closure is approved.
Council moved with the first reading of Bylaw 1906 to pursue the closure of Railway Avenue in the former Hamlet of Allingham.
Council also moved to schedule a public hearing in accordance with Sections 22 and 230 of the Municipal Government Act.
Redesignated land
Council received an application to redesignate a portion of land back to the Agriculture District, from Direct Control 5 on Oct. 22, 2019 by Kent O’Brien.
The Direct Control 5 designation was originally intended to accommodate a micro cannabis cultivation facility on part of SE18-30-24-W4.
Rezoning the land back to the Agriculture District would permit uses, both permitted and discretionary, within the existing buildings and surrounding area.
The Direct Control 5 designation would no longer apply under Land Use Bylaw 1808. Once a new land use bylaw is adopted, the previous bylaw would be rescinded and Direct Control District 5 would cease to exist.
The applicant would need to submit specific details with their development application, upon redesignation approval.
According to the applicant’s Letter of Intent, no cannabis was ever grown, stored or produced in the existing building or on the surrounding land and due to financial constraints, the applicant does not intend to pursue the original application.
Council moved the first reading of proposed Bylaw 1907, which would amend Land Use Bylaw 1808 by redesignating 1,224 square metres on a portion of SE18-30-24-W4 from Direct Control 5 District back to the Agriculture District.
Council also moved to schedule a public hearing, as required by Sections 216.4 and 692 of the Municipal Government Act.
Buggie purchases
In recent years, Kneehill County has experienced drier conditions and stronger winds, creating prime conditions for grass fires.
In a presentation to council from Debra Grosfield, CLGM Protective Services Manager and Dan Marsellus, Rural Fire Chief, it was noted that historical call volumes show a steady increase in the number of grass fires, even when fire bans are in place.
Requests to council were that the replacement of the Carbon Bush Buggy that was originally scheduled for 2023, be deferred to 2025 and the replacement of the Three Hills Bush Buggy, initially set for 2024, also be deferred to 2025.
Various types of buggies were presented based on recommendations that considered risk assessments and historical call volumes and responses.
Coun. Wade Christie noted that some buggies would not be feasible because they lacked sufficient clearance or had a centre of gravity that was too high.
“It’s dangerous,” Christie said, noting the terrain the equipment is required to travel through.
Council approved the purchase of Type 6 Bush Buggies for Carbon and Three Hills at a cost of $390,000 each in the 2025 budget, with funding to come from the Capital Equipment Reserve.
Cheryl Bowman
Multimedia reporter
ECA Review