During their regular meeting Jan. 27, Sylvan Lake councillors:
● approved the first reading of bylaws and set public hearings dealing with two subdivisions.
Proposed zoning redesignations in Crestview “will accommodate the developer’s ability to market a commercial site that maximizes frontage along 50 Street, provides for medium density residential options based on a cul-de-sac design; and cleans up parcel boundaries allowing for more municipal reserve contribution based on proposed subdivision boundaries,” wrote the town’s consultant, Matthew Pawlow of Parkland Community Planning Services.
Across 50th Street, in Beacon Hill, Phase 6 requires land use amendments to covert land from urban reserve to medium lot residential, narrow lot general residential and public facility districts. These are based on the previously approved outline plan.
Pawlow wrote, the development concept in the outline plan describes diverse neighbourhoods with large and small residential lots within the same blocks containing various architectural styles.
“Based on subdivision designs, lots may or may not have rear lane access and where front garages are permitted, low density residential dwellings will include attached, detached, recessed and flush garages to alter the streetscape.”
Public hearings on both bylaws were set for Feb. 24 after which second and third readings of the bylaw may be entertained.
● approved a $47,000 budget to create an Investment Attraction Strategy and Implementation Plan as requested by Vicki Kurz, the town’s economic development officer. She also received approval to solicit proposals from consultants to do the work.
The money had previously been allocated to match a grant the town applied for under the Invest Canada Community Initiative program. The town was unsuccessful in that application which would have included “three critical components of investment readiness as a means to prepare Sylvan Lake for investment attraction on a global stage”.
● agreed to amend dates and other information in the town’s Corporate Tourism Strategy 2013-18 and adopt the revisions.
● heard from Mayor Sean McIntyre that the unofficial count was over 50 people participated in Coffee with Council which was held on Saturday. “Our direction has been to have a quarterly engagement with the public,” he said, adding he looks forward to the next event.
● received a report from Betty Osmond, the town’s chief administrative officer, which indicated among other things: the second residential snow plowing program has been completed; maintenance of outdoor rinks has resumed but is subject to weather conditions; and collection of domestic garbage and green box materials from the front of residences appears to be successful and will continue until ground conditions permit return to normal practice.