TOWN HOSTS FIRST VIRTUAL PUBLIC MEETING
Adapting to the challenges of the COVID-19 Cochrane town council held their first virtual public hearing on Monday (April 27).
Council voted to streamline the development authority process by removing a time requirement through an amendment to Bylaw15/2020. The amendment was brought forth in reaction to COVID-19.
The original intent of the amendment was to transfer development authority from Cochrane Planning Commission to the development officer from April 28 to June 30. The amendment also aimed to remove the 30-day circulation requirement to help streamline the process of construction in the town.
There were no comments from the public during the hearing.
The only amendment to be applied to the bylaw by council was the removal of the 30-day referral time before a decision is rendered. This will reduce the application timeline for many smaller-scale permit types, Mayor Jeff Genung said.
The municipal Development Authority is responsible for receiving, processing and deciding on development permits in Cochrane. Two bodies bare this responsibility in Cochrane— The Cochrane Planning Commission, consisting of five public-at-large members and two Town Councillors, and the second is a development officer or administration planning staff.
It was noted during the council meeting that there was already a backlog of 11 permits total dating back to March.
Councillor Susan Flowers question why the Cochrane Planning Commission would be unable to move online to discuss permits, as many other committees in Town have made an adjustment to do so, including Cochrane Council.
“Most people are very available right now and doing extra work to get caught up,” Flowers said.
She added that she would be uncomfortable with the bylaw change of authority as there is the potential that decisions could be made without all the needed information. This would be troubling Flowers said as the committee was designed to encourage and promote powers and duties on behalf of the Cochrane community.
“We were trying to promote a culture of engagement, responsibility and accountability and I would hate to see us suddenly take that away when we could have done these meetings online or tried to push them and get them down quicker,” Flowers said.
Coun. Alex Reed echoed Flowers's concerns questioning if the deferring decision making powers from the Cochrane Planning Commision was needed and if the end date was reasonable given how long COVID-19 public health measures are expected to last.
“I’m just concerned that we don’t need this amendment,” Reed said. “If it does go ahead that perhaps it’s a staged way of being able to become a permanent solution which I wouldn’t like to see happen.”
Reed said it should go until at least the end of August in light of how long public health measures are expected to be in place.
“Time has kind of taken over this amendment,” Reed said, adding that the job could easily be done online.
Genung noted that it was imperative to streamline the permit process because it is a small way that can help people get back to work and get businesses in Cochrane going by promoting construction projects.
“For me, I’m comfortable passing this bylaw this time just because of the circumstances that we are in,” Genung said, adding that Cochrane Planning commission is unique among the different Town committees because it directly affects local businesses in the community. “It’s just a small way of getting business going again.”
TAX RELIEF ON THE WAY
To help alleviate the financial strain created by the COVID-19 pandemic Cochrane Council voted to defer all 2020 property taxes to Sept. 30 while eliminating the July 1 penalty for late payments. The change will apply to both residents and businesses in Cochrane.
Deferrals will be available to any taxpayers who request one. Those who choose to pay earlier will be able to, Genung said. He added that those that can pay taxes on time will help the Towns cash flow and in turn the delivery of essential services.
Property taxes have historically been due on June 30.
Coun. Marni Fedeyko said it was important to work with the community during this challenging time and provide economic relief when possible.
“From the residents' standpoint I think people just need to have some kind of relief,” Fedeyko said. “I hope that residents see that we are trying our best as municipality obviously to keep some cash in their pockets during this trying time.”
PUBLIC MEETING SET FOR GREYSTONE DEVELOPMENT
A first reading was given to Bylaw 13/2020 and a public hearing was rescheduled for May 11 at 6 p.m.
The land-use bylaw if approved would be an amendment re-designation of the Greystone area. The proposed application would change a total of 37 acres of land from the Gravel Extraction District. Areas of note included the development of a Central Business District of 9.5 acres, a Business Park District of 16 acres a General Industrial District of 11 acres and a Public Service District of 0.7 acres if the amendment is approved.
If enacted the change will affect lands in the northeast portion of the Greystone area directly south of Griffen Road. The amendment was recommended to support the future development of the lands.
COUNCIL LAUNCHES SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC TASK FORCES
The Town's Social and Economic Task Forces were officially struck into place on Monday.
“We want to cover the fabric of the community economically and socially,” Genung said, explaining that it was important to get the task forces in place as soon as possible to aid in the Town recovery after the pandemic.
The Social Task Force will consist of representatives from Big Hill Haven, Victims Services, Rotary Club, The Cochrane Activettes, Helping Hands Society of Cochrane & Area and Affordable Housing paired with council representatives Flowers and Genung.
The Economic Task Force will consist of the Town's Business Development Manager, Finance Manager, the Chamber of Commerce, Tourism, the Business Advisory Network, a developer liaison representative and a Cochrane Rotary Club member paired with council representatives Genung, coun. Tara McFadden and coun. Fedeyko.
