Sundre's council agreed last week to reschedule a second preliminary hearing regarding the municipality's appeal against Mountain View County's land use re-designation for aggregate extraction immediately west of town.
Following an in-camera discussion during the Dec. 4 meeting, elected officials proceeded to carry a motion to set a new date in March for the next hearing with the Municipal Government Board to allow additional opportunity to discuss the matter with county officials in the hopes of amicably resolving the matter.
"We have agreed to sit down and work together to resolve the concerns that the town had put forward," Linda Nelson, Sundre's administrator, told the Round Up last week.
"We're much stronger as a team than we are working separately," said Nelson.
The first preliminary hearing with the Municipal Government Board was held last week, when local officials requested setting a new date for the second meeting, now scheduled for March 12, she said, adding the goal was "to give that opportunity to sit down and collaboratively discuss our concerns (with the county)."
Citing concerns including but not limited to a lack of comprehensive economic and environmental impact studies and that the process had been rushed, Sundre's council previously decided to file an appeal on the county's proposed land use re-designation to reserve the legal option to take the matter before the Municipal Government Board in the event attempts to resolve the matter fall through.
"The appeal the town filed was to hold a right of appeal for the future," said Nelson.
However, Sundre's council remains committed to pursuing further dialogue with county officials before resorting to taking the appeal to the next stage, said Terry Leslie, Sundre's mayor.
"We want more time," said Leslie, adding he is encouraged by the opportunity for further conversations with the county.
"That's what both our councils want."
Tony Martens, Mountain View County administrator, told the Round Up last week that setting a later date for the second preliminary hearing would allow the "two administrations to sit down and work out a positive solution that will be a win for both sides."
Martens expressed optimism and said there exists a good relationship between the municipalities' administrations, and that the county has a good record of collaboration that it intends to uphold.
"Both administrations will work hard to come to a successful resolution," he said.
Sundre's administrator said she is pleased with the process to date, and that she looks forward to further discussions with county officials.
"Town council appreciates the county's willingness to engage in this process to allow the time for the town's concerns to be heard," said Nelson.
"These are our neighbours, and we want to work with them."
