Cypress County council holds public hearing on three land-use bylaw amendments on Tuesday

Council heard that Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors raised no major concerns with one application, while noting future expansion plans for Highway 3 could affect access in the area.

The public hearing was concluded as all three land-use bylaw amendments will return to a future council meeting for second and third readings, where councillors will make final decisions on whether to approve the proposed country residential rezonings.

Earlier in the meeting, council gave third reading to Bylaw 2026/16, the community standards and property bylaw.

The measure drew brief debate over whether legal review had been obtained, with the administration confirming it was based on similar bylaws across the province.

Council also rejected a request from the Desert Bloom Homeowners Association asking the county to enforce private restrictive covenants on residential properties, instead voting to take no action.

Administration warned the county would have no authority under current legislation and that involvement could create legal and financial precedent.

On tax matters, council approved a five-month payment plan for Canolan Energy and Canolan Resource Partnerships to cover 2026 property taxes, allowing full payment by year-end.

Administration said the arrangement would avoid penalties if payments are met, but would require ongoing administrative tracking.

Council also approved a 10-year lease with Ralston Farm School for a small parcel of county land in Suffield, to be used for an educational farm program including livestock and agricultural learning activities.

Updates were also provided on the Dunmore wastewater project, with design proposals expected later this month and construction targeted for 2027 pending regulatory approvals and grant funding.

In other business, council received confirmation that the county has passed its external COR health and safety audit with a score of 83 per cent, returning Cypress County to its certification program after a three-year cycle of internal and external reviews.

by Jett Schwaier

Cypress County council holds public hearing on three land-use bylaw amendments on Tuesday

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