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By Stan Ashbee
Taber Times
editor@tabertimes.com

At a Town of Taber council meeting held Mar. 22, council discussed proposed land-use bylaw amendment Direct Control-4 Bylaw No. 8-202. The recommendation was for council to give first reading to the proposed item.

It was stated in a report submitted to council, as the development of the 60 acres the town has purchased for affordable housing development progresses, there is a requirement to create a Direct Control district to provide for a comprehensively-designed manufacture housing development to provide for the provision of affordable housing.

“This also includes a map amendment to the current land-use bylaw in order to amend the land-use from the current Urban Reserve (UR) district to the proposed Direct Control-4 (DC-4) residential district,” it was stated in the report.

It was also stated, the Northwest Area Structure Plan (NWASP) will require an amendment to the map in order to accommodate the revision.

The Municipal Development Plan maps have already been amended to allow for it.

“Providing first reading of the associated Bylaw 8-2021 will allow for public consultation to occur. Once that step is completed, a Public Hearing will be held prior to moving forward with a final document, including any potential amendments, for second and third readings,” it was noted.

Concurrently, it was pointed out in the report to council, the NWASP bylaw amendment will also proceed, and the Meadows of Taber Concept Plan will be brought to council for approval by resolution at a future meeting.

These changes will allow the development to proceed, as per council direction.

Coun. Mark Garner made a motion for council to give first reading to land-use amendment Bylaw 8-2021. The motion passed unanimously.

Council also discussed the NWASP amendment to Bylaw 21-2016, through the proposed Bylaw 9-2021. It was recommended in a report submitted to council that council give Bylaw 9-2021 first reading.

It was stated in the report, the NWASP does not encompass the lands on the east side of 50 Street the school site is being moved to. “However, the Eureka Area Structure Plan has already identified them as Institutional Recreation and will allow for the school site to proceed. Providing first reading of the associated Bylaw 9-2021 will allow for public consultation to occur.”

Coun. Garth Bekkering made the motion that council gives Bylaw 9-2021 first reading. Council passed the motion unanimously.

Council discussed proposed Dog Control Bylaw 2-2021.

According to a report submitted to council for consideration, the animal control function within the Town of Taber is enforced by the Taber Police Service.

“When the police took over animal control, it was noted, the ‘Dog Pound’ was dilapidated, and beyond repair. Working from a grass roots level, the Office of the Chief of Police and the Community Standards Unit held a Town Hall meeting to gauge the capacity in the community of striking a partnership to create a new model.”

As a result of the efforts of the Lost Paws Society, council, the Taber Police Service and town administration —on Feb. 12, the new animal control facility was open for business.

“Although there is still some more work to do come spring, we are able to house dogs. As a result of the partnership, the previous Dog Bylaw needed to be updated and amended to address the new model and to increase fees and fines associated with dog control,” it was stated in the report.

Also, it was stated in the report, the bylaw speaks to a lifetime licence for a dog. This will reduce red tape at the Administration Building — while still ensuring dogs are licensed in the community.

This new bylaw also seeks the repeal of the old Dog Control Bylaw 3-2008, according to the report.

Coun. Joe Strojwas made a motion to refer this back to administration to decide upon a format for public consultation before proceeding with this bylaw. The motion was carried unanimously.

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