Rocky Mountain House town council is considering mothballing an old bylaw it says is potentially getting in the way of developments within town limits.
During the July 16, 2024 meeting, Councillor Len Phillips brought forward a notice of motion to eliminate the Subdivision and Development Authority Bylaw, which would also eliminate 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.
Phillips says the elimination of the MPC could be an easy way to remove red tape, as land use considerations could be handled in house.
“Do we need an MPC committee anymore?” asked Phillips. “Is this something that administration can just deal with? I believe that we can do that. This will speed up our process so we’re not waiting for MPC meetings to be had.”
Deputy Mayor Ken Moesker described it as an unnecessary level of bureaucracy.
Town Councillor and MPC board member Tina Hutchinson, who voted to give first reading to remove the bylaw, agreed that having an MPC is redundant.
Admittedly, Senior Development Officer for the Town of Rocky Mountain House, Renee Hartling, says there are some distinct advantages and disadvantages to having an MPC.
Among the advantages is a shared accountability, says the 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.
The report shows that several central Alberta communities operate without an MPC. That includes Sundre, Olds and Hinton, where Town administration holds the authority to approve subdivision and developments.
Council voted to give first reading to Bylaw 2024/12, which would “eliminate the Municipal Planning Commission, and streamline and reduce red tape for subdivision and development applications.”
Before any changes are made, however, the Municipal Government Act that a public hearing be held before any amendments are made to a municipality’s Land Use Bylaw (LUB).
Council will hold said public hearing Oct. 1, 2024 at 9 a.m. in council chambers (5116 50 Avenue).
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