CHAT News file photo

By Brendan Miller

Council looks to disband Municipal Planning Commission

Feb 21, 2023 | 4:16 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – City council is meeting tonight for their last regular meeting of February.

Tonight a decision to disband the City of Medicine Hat Municipal Planning Commission is being requested.

The planning commission has been in place since 1995. It consists of two council members and five volunteers from the public.

The commission provided additional public oversight on new bylaws by reviewing all the cities land use bylaws amendments before referring them to council.

However the commission is having challenges finding enough qualified volunteers to fill the time commitment.

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Additionally a number of meetings have been canceled due to a lack of items for the commission to consider.

The Economic, Land and Strategic Planning and Development Committee will handle the workload following the disbandment.

Last year The City of Lethbridge eliminated their municipal planning commission as a streamlining process.

This evening council plans to hear the second and third readings of the Smoke Free Outdoor Public Places bylaw.

The bylaw is aimed at limiting outdoor public places that will allow residents to smoke, including at outdoor rinks, basketball, pickleball and tennis courts.

As well, council is expected to to receive its annual update on the Community Warmth Program that offers assistance to utility customers experiencing financial issues beyond their control.