Richard Froese
South Peace News
Big Lakes County has appointed two members to the recently-expanded Slave Lake Regional Subdivision and Development Appeal Board.
At its regular meeting Dec. 11, council appointed current members Ken Matthews and Peter Blacha to the new appeal board for a three-year term starting Jan. 1, 2025.
Council adopted a bylaw at its regular meeting Nov. 27 to form the new inter-municipal appeal board with the Town of High Prairie, the Town of Slave Lake, the Town of Swan Hills and the new member, the M.D. of Lesser Slave River.
Under the new bylaw, each municipality appoints a maximum of two members at large, down from three under the previous bylaw.
No council members are permitted on the board.
All members require designated training to serve on the board.
Training for Matthews expires in January 2027, Blacha’s training expires in December 2026, says Pat Olansky, director of community services and planning.
Matthews served on council for 15 years until he was defeated in municipal elections in 2021. He served as reeve for several years.
Training will be available in 2025 through the Land and Property Rights Tribunal, says Olansky.
The municipality from which an appeal originates, shall pay all board costs and expenses for that hearing.
Training, honour- arium costs and travel expenses are including in the planning budget.