During their regular meeting Apr. 14, Sylvan Lake councillors:
● approved a development application to permit the expansion of an outdoor patio at the former Lakers Pub location.
Kjeryn (Shereen) Davis asked for permission to extend the patio to the sidewalk on Lakeshore Drive while maintaining a 2.57 metre side yard setback consistent with the building and existing deck.
She plans to open Bukwildz as a “family friendly restaurant” with a “focus on healthier food options”. Interior seating would accommodate 42 people while the estimate for the patio is 120 people maximum.
One of the requirements of the approval was that colour tones be consistent with those outlined in the Pattern Book. Another requires to entire patio to be fenced similar to the existing fence.
Councillors Jas Payne and Matt Prete voted against approval indicating they weren’t concerned about the colour matching what’s in the Pattern Book. Other councillors wanted to retain the requirement for colours as stipulated.
● unanimously granted first reading to a bylaw to create medium lot residential, narrow lot residential and public facility districts for Phase 4 of The Vista in Ryders Ridge subdivision. A public hearing was set for May 12. The area will be accessed from Ryders Ridge Boulevard and borders the former railway right-of-way at the northeast corner of the quarter section. The public facility area includes a storm water management facility.
● awarded a two year contract to Animal Control Services (Jim DeBoon) to provide animal control services for a total patrol cost of $61,800 in 2014 and $64,890 in 2015. DeBoon has provided the service to Sylvan Lake for the past 32 years. His was the only proposal received. The proposal maintains existing service levels for winter months of 70 hours per month and summer months of 80 hours per month. DeBoon said he also maintains 24-7 emergency response service 365 days a year.
● approved purchase of a 2014 Volvo road grader from Strongco Corporation of Red Deer for an amount not to exceed $282,000 excluding GST, to replace a 1989 model.
Asked by councillor Matt Prete about the advisability of keeping the older grader rather than trading it in for $20,000, John Watson, public works manager, said it’s showing considerable wear. He added the efficiency of contract graders during snow storms really showed up this year.