Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
Northern Sunrise County will be hosting a Land-Use Bylaw (LUB) Refresh Open House on Jan. 13, and residents are urged to participate.
The open house will be hosted from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in council chambers with Mackenzie Municipal Services Agency (MMSA) in attendance.
“It is necessary to host this open house to allow ratepayers to provide feedback and input into the LUB refresh,” says Reeve Corinna Williams.
“As this is a complete Refresh of the LUB, interested ratepayers can read the Nov. 12 council agenda, the draft document is available and new information in the LUB is shown in red,” she adds.
Multiple changes have been proposed including additions for bylaws regarding alternative and renewable energy (solar and wind for both commercial and personal use). Williams urges ratepayers to read the complete LUB to understand what will be discussed at the open house.
“We are hoping to get feedback, concerns, and input into the refreshed LUB at the open house,” she says.
“It is open to all members of the public; however, the LUB pertains to only the county. Public consultation is required after first reading of the bylaw is completed as per the Municipal Government Act; however, council wanted to allow feedback prior to first reading being completed.”
Williams explains MMSA will be in attendance as they are the County’s planner and assisted administration and council in developing the LUB refresh.
“This is an opportunity to have input on how development is handled in the county,” Williams says.
“It allows people to ask questions or to bring forth ideas or concerns with the County’s current processes,” she adds.
To prepare for the meeting, Williams suggests ratepayers read the Nov. 12 agenda information on LUB changes by visiting the website www.northernsunrise.civicweb.net and reading portion 6.5 Request for Decision Draft Land Use Bylaw B458/24.