Possible amendments to a land-use bylaw could reduce the number of applications that are being resubmitted to council for minor lot size changes.Council approved first reading and set a public hearing date for Jan. 10, 2012 for a bylaw that deals with subdivision of land.The amendment if approved would allow administration to review and allow for a variance of five per cent in parcel size for conditionally approved subdivisions. Anything more than five per cent but below 10 per cent will have to be reconsidered by the subdivision approving authority and anything above 10 per cent will require a new subdivision application.Currently, variance to shape or size of a conditionally approved subdivision that hasn't been endorsed is presented to council for a decision.Council approved first reading unanimously, but Div. 2 Coun. Don Nesbitt expressed hesitation.ìThis is a political (issue) and I think it should stay in the political arena, not administrative authority,î he said.Applicant looks to purchase road allowanceCouncil gave first reading to close, sell and transfer 2.03 acres of undeveloped road allowance to an applicant looking to create a biofuel complex north of Innisfail.The proposed road allowance transfer is part of the proposed subdivision and consolidation.The portion of Rge. Rd. 282 is located south of Twp. Rd. 362.ìThis is my area and I have mixed feelings whenever we sell road allowance. I don't understand why they need it,î said Div. 3 Coun. Penny Archibald.ìI'll grant first reading,î said Div. 4 Coun. David Hoar. ìI'm aware where it is and it hasn't been used in recent history and I can't see any need for it in the future,î he said. ìI don't see any harm.îìAt least it helps put some setback from the highway,î said Div. 6 Coun. George Gehrke. ìIt gives about 66 feet. There's no use at this time and it's attached to the property.îArchibald moved first reading.Assessment review board bylaw updatedCouncil agreed to replace a two-year run with the regional assessment review board with a more permanent, ongoing term.Amendments to the regional assessment review board bylaw were voted on last week and clear up some of the roles and keep the timeline between the parties involved ongoing.In January 2010, changes in provincial legislation altered the process to be followed when appeals to property assessment were received.The City of Red Deer created a Regional Assessment Review Board and invited area municipalities to join.The county created a bylaw under tight deadlines, learning about the new bill in May 2009 and approving the bylaw for January 2010.ìThere were still things to work out,î explained Nancy Lougheed, legislative services manager.The new agreement clarifies responsibilities of both parties as well as the sharing of assessment-related information and offers a membership fee of $2,000 that covers fixed operational costs such as board member training and business travel for advocacy.
