Council accepted guidelines for the appearances of future commercial buildings in Penhold during the July 15 meeting.
According to the council package for the meeting, the bylaw passing the commercial design standards was passed earlier this year, however council accepted the finalized version for information after a presentation on July 15.
“Penhold is so fortunate right now because we basically have a blank slate,” said Mayor Dennis Cooper in a later interview. He said this way buildings can have a nice flow, but added the design standards give lots of room for architects to choose their own materials and designs.
The design standards ask that some key elements of Penhold's history – such as agriculture or the railway – be incorporated into commercial buildings.
Also during the July 15 meeting, a piece of property was rezoned to allow commercial development to move forward. Cooper said this adds to the other commercial properties moving through the development process.
“It's great news for Penhold,” he said. The coming developments include a grocery store, a pharmacy and other commercial space, some of which is still available to tenants.
The influx of commercial property will be of aid to both residents and visitors to Penhold, Cooper said.
“It's going to be a tremendous change for our community,” Cooper said.
Combative sports definition changed
Penhold's combative sports bylaw was back in front of council for a proposed change to the definition of “regulated combative sports event.”
All three readings of the revised bylaw were passed during the July 15 meeting according to the mayor.
“It was just to widen the definition,” Cooper said. ‘”Some of the promoters wanted to include amateur sports.”
The report to council, prepared by Derek Crichton, the multiplex manager, said various promoters are vying for access to the Penhold Regional Multiplex.
Events included under the definition of “regulated combative sports event” include boxing, mixed martial arts, wrestling, full contact karate, muay thai, kickboxing and other sports that involve physical striking and grappling, according to the bylaw attached as part of the council package.
Drainage ditch fix
The approved minutes for the June 24 council meeting show council approved $26,000 to address a drainage ditch issue.
According to the minutes, the vote to set aside $26,000 occurred after an in-camera session of council. A vote to set aside $25,000, but second motion to set the amount at $26,000, was passed with all councillors present at the June 24 meeting except Coun. Chad Hoffman voting in favour of the second motion. Coun. Danielle Klooster was absent.
Cooper explained the money is to fix a drainage ditch that is south of the Penhold Museum along Highway 2A. He said Alberta Transportation built the ditch so it sloped into town, which adds to Penhold's flooding woes.
“We're going to pay for it and ask if they can reimburse us,” Cooper said. However, rather than waiting for the province to come forward with funds to fix the problem, Cooper said the town will fix it and then go after the money so residents' properties are protected.
The money is coming out of stormwater control funds that were in the town's budget.
