Red Deer County council has passed two amending bylaws related to the removal of snow and ice from sidewalks adjacent to properties. The moves came during the recent regularly scheduled council meeting. “While the current practice in the county is that adjacent property owners are responsible for this sidewalk clearing, there is no written policy/bylaw in effect,” county manager Curtis Herzberg said in a briefing note to council. It is recommended that the county's practice be formalized by adopting bylaws relative to this matter.
“A review of other municipalities within Alberta shows that in all instances, property owners are responsible for the clearing of snow and ice from sidewalks adjacent to their property. In the areas where the sidewalk may be adjacent to public lands, county administration will be reviewing and coordinating the service to insure these sidewalks are cleared pursuant to the county's bylaw.”
Bylaw No. 2016/22 adds a new section relative to sidewalks with the provisions being that adjacent landowners “will be responsible for clearing snow and ice from adjacent sidewalks within 48 hours of the snowfall; the snow and ice being removed onto private property.”
Bylaw No 2011/29 provides the option for issuing a violation tag with a $100 penalty that could be applied for failure to clear the sidewalk or clearing the snow/ice onto the road, other portion of the sidewalk or other public place.”
Meanwhile, Red Deer County council has passed a motion in support of a Mountain View County resolution related to gravel pits.
The move also came during the recent regularly scheduled council meeting.
The resolution, which required a second municipality to second it, is scheduled to come before an upcoming zone meeting of the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties (AAMDC).
The resolution calls on Alberta Environment and Parks to amend the existing Code of Practice for Pits to “include an obligation for timely progressive reclamation including obligation deadlines that are enforceable”, “ensure securities reflect liability and provide sufficient incentive for progressive reclamation” and “ensure municipal land use and development approvals are obtained prior to the province issuing pit registrations or accepting changes to existing pit registrations.”
The resolution calls on the province to “maintain inspection and enforce compliance with conservation and reclamation regulations and the Code of Practice for Pits.”
In a briefing note regarding the resolution, county manager Herzberg said, in part, that, “A viable aggregate industry is a necessary component of a vibrant Alberta economy. As the province grows and expands there has been an increased level of conflict between adjacent land uses and aggregate operations.”
If passed at the AAMDC annual general meeting, the resolution would be used to lobby the provincial government for changes.
