Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
An application was received by Town of Peace River earlier this year requesting an amendment to the Land-Use Bylaw to allow gravel extraction on a property along Shaftesbury Trail.
The property owner applied to amend the land-use district applied to River Lot 38 from Residential 1-A to Direct Control District to allow for a new development permit application for natural resources extraction to do gravel extraction on the property.
After hearing from residents at multiple public hearings and through correspondence, council was ready to make its decision at the regular council meeting Nov. 12.
“The council defeated a motion for second reading of the bylaw,” says Mayor Elaine Manzer.
“Council took into account all the information that was presented at the hearing both from the applicant applying for the amendment, the M.D. of Peace and area residents.”
Council held two public hearings, one on Aug. 12 and one on Sept. 16, in regard to the request. Five written responses and verbal responses were received during the public hearing process, all of which opposed the amendment to allow gravel extraction near the residential area.
In addition to the people who attended the public hearing, 116 letters were also submitted to council opposing the proposed gravel extraction operation along Shaftesbury.
Town administration will work with the applicant to determine next steps for the area, which will remain zoned as Residential 1-A.