Recycled tires to be repurposed for use in playground
Council heard that the municipality’s application to the Alberta Recycling Management Authority for a 2020 Municipal Demonstration Grant had been approved for a maximum of almost $15,000.
Luana Smith, legislative executive assistant and special projects coordinator, said recycled tires would be used in the Sundre Royal Purple Park.
“This will be what’s called a pour-in-place,” said Smith.
Pour-in-place products provide a low maintenance rubber surface for, among other options, playgrounds. It stays put, preventing water from pooling up and creating a non-slip surface. The recycled rubber flooring is environmentally friendly and much more accessible than other products such as gravel, allowing children and adults of all abilities to enjoy the playground.
“I believe we were awarded this grant because we had huge support from the community, and we had an interesting design that enhances the playground for those that are physically unable to use the regular swings,” said Smith.
According to letter dated Jan. 8, 2020 and signed by Brad Schultz, the authority’s director of operations, “This project ensures thousands of scrap tires will be diverted from landfills and recycled into an innovative product for your community to enjoy. Since the inception of the Tire Recycling Program in 1992, 121.5 million tires have been recycled — enough to circle the earth twice.”
Coun. Paul Isaac’s motion to accept the correspondence for information carried.
Smith said in a follow-up inquiry that work is expected to take place this spring.
Land use bylaw amendments approved
No expressions of opposition were brought forward during a public hearing that had previously been advertised regarding proposed amendments to a portion of the municipality’s land use bylaw to provide administrative changes for clarity and efficiency.
Describing the bylaw as a living document, Betty Ann Fountain, development officer, told council, “it should be reviewed periodically to flag any inconsistencies around interpretation of regulations, and amended accordingly to keep it up to date not only for staff, but for our stakeholders.”
Included among the changes outlined were:
• revisions to the definition of accessory buildings, which are not to exceed 4.5 metres in height nor exceed the height of the main building, with the exception of a maximum height of nine metres for an oversized accessory building;
• the maximum floor area for a garden suite or laneway home set at 105 metres squared;
• and landscaping regulations that ensure developments provide a positive overall image for the municipality and also encourage good environmental stewardship.
After concluding the public hearing for the bylaw, council approved the amendments as presented. Visit www.sundre.com to find the full land use bylaw in the “Policies and Bylaws” section under the “Your Government” tab.
Council supports recreation plan update
Council considered and approved a request to support the Town of Olds’ bid to apply for funding for the 2020 Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan Update for the six regional municipal partners.
“In order to make the application for the grant, they need a motion from all of the councils in the regional partnership to support the application, so we are asking council to support this initiative,” said Linda Nelson.
Coun. Cheri Funke sought clarification, inquiring whose master plan is being updated.
“Theirs, ours, the county’s?” the councillor asked.
“There was a regional recreation master plan that was prepared a number of years ago,” said Nelson.
“I don’t know that the plan was ever formally adopted by councils. But the plan is a number of years old, so we believe it would be beneficial” to support the effort to update the document, she said.
The other municipal partners are Mountain View County, Didsbury, Carstairs and Cremona.
