The steering committee overseeing updates to the Bearberry-Red Deer River area structure plan (ASP) continues to look at a number of issues facing the district in the lead up to a possible open house in September, said chairman David Wells.
“We are making progress, but it seems to take more time every time you talk about a new issue,” said Wells. “Real people and real lives are affected by the stuff we are bringing forward.
“Aggregate extraction is becoming a big issue along the Red Deer River corridor and we need to talk to the people who are affected. And then there's private camping, which is not regulated right now. It has become a big issue.”
Area structure plans are tools used for community planning and the development and use of land. They provide a policy framework that is coordinated with the overall goals, objectives, and policies of the municipality.
The Bearberry plan is being updated to bring it into line with the countywide municipal development plan (MDP). ASPs can be more restrictive, but not less restrictive than the MDP.
During the July 15 steering committee meeting, members passed a motion instructing administration to come forward with a policy on erosion mitigation measures and strategies along waterways.
Committee member and Division 7 councillor Al Kemmere said riverbank erosion along the Coal Camp Road caused by the Red Deer River is an ongoing concern.
The updated Bearberry ASP area is located in the northwest corner of Mountain View County, west of the Town of Sundre.
The plan area is bound by Clearwater County, the Red Deer River, and the northern extension of Range Road 63 from the intersection of Highway 584 to the county boundary. The total plan area encompasses approximately 194.8 square kilometres (76.8 square miles).
On July 15, committee members also instructed administration to bring forward a proposed policy outlining the criteria for the development of a direct control district for private camping.
Committee members passed a motion rescinding an earlier motion that called for administration to prepare a proposed definition of private campgrounds with a maximum of six camping units per quarter section of agricultural land from May 1 to Sept. 30.
The new direct control district definition could be included in the updated ASP if accepted by the committee.
Private camping is not currently defined under the county's land use bylaw, meaning people cannot apply for a permit to have private camping on their property.
In May a public hearing into a proposed redesignation of property in the Bearberry area from agricultural district to direct control district to allow private camping at the site was opened and then adjourned earlier this month pending the adoption of the updated Bearberry ASP.
The redesignation application has been made by Nitro Holdings Ltd. for a 21.4 acre property where private overnight camping has already been taking place.
The public hearing into the application was opened on May 28, with supporters and opponents of the application speaking to council and taking questions from councillors.
The land in question is located at NW 34-32-7-5 in Division 5 of the county.
Applicant and landowner Helen Kohanik says the campground would be for private use only and would not be made into a commercial operation at anytime in the future.
On July 15 committee members also reviewed a number of proposed maps that could be included as part of the updated ASP.
The steering committee will meet again on August 11.
A date for the public open house for the updated plan has not been set, although the committee hopes it will be in September, said chairman Wells.
