Citing excessive red tape, Rocky Mountain House town council has scrapped the Municipal Planning Commission (MPC).

While acknowledged, but not strictly mandated by the Municipal Government Act (MGA), an MPC is defined as a development and subdivision authority for land use development, and is a referral agency for redesignating land use.

As mandated in the Town’s Land Use Bylaw (LUB), residents were given a chance to voice concerns during a public hearing.

A resident raised concerns about the Town not having proper oversight when it comes to land use decisions.

Specifically, the resident mentioned the possibility of a conflict of interest, as he says two Rocky councillors are realtors.

Renee Hartling, senior development officer for the Town of Rocky Mountain House, outlined certain advantages and disadvantages to having an MPC.

Among the advantages is a shared accountability, says a report, as town council and administration would be able to share responsibility for politically sensitive decisions.

As for potential disadvantages, Hartling says MPCs can significantly increase the amount of time it takes for projects to get approved, as it revolves around the commission’s meeting schedule.

MPC meetings were becoming less common anyway, said Councillor Len Phillips, and moving away from it is a natural progression.

As for concerns about the voice of the people not being heard, Councillor Tina Hutchinson said folks can still make inquiries to the Subdivision Appeal Board.

The MPC was seldom utilized anyway, says Hutchinson, as the only permit applications brought to MPC were those that had significant variance with the existing Land Use Bylaw.

However, council resolved to go its own way by giving second and third reading to a motion originally brought forward by Phillips during the July 16, 2024 meeting, which aimed to mothball the MPC.

Council also gave third and final reading to bylaw 2024/13, which would eliminate the MPC from the Land Use Bylaw.

Rocky Mountain House will join other communities such as Sundre, Olds and Hinton, which lack an MPC and where Town administration holds the authority to approve subdivision and developments.