Bentley Council Finalizes Land Use Rules, Reviews Pay Scales
Bentley Town Council finalized a new regulatory framework for local development Tuesday night, passing the second and third readings of Land Use Bylaw 250/2024.
The decision followed a 6:15 p.m. public hearing where residents had a final opportunity to comment on the rules that govern property development and zoning within the town. By passing the final readings, Council has officially replaced previous land-use regulations with this updated version.
Why It Matters
The Land Use Bylaw is the most significant document for property owners in Bentley. It dictates exactly what can be built, where it can be placed, and how land can be used—ranging from residential deck heights to the types of businesses allowed on Main Street.
For residents, this means new standards for development permits. For the town, it is an attempt to modernize rules and align with provincial requirements. These changes take effect immediately, meaning any spring construction projects must comply with the new standards set in Bylaw 250/2024.
Public Participation
The public hearing served as the formal venue for citizen input. While Land Use Bylaws frequently cause friction regarding property setbacks or commercial zoning near residential areas, the Council moved to adopt the bylaw as presented following the session. No immediate amendments were made to the text during the subsequent regular meeting.
Council and Staff Compensation
Council conducted its annual review of the Employee Salary Grid and Council Remuneration and Expenses. This is the process where the town evaluates the pay scales for municipal staff and the stipends and expense reimbursements for elected officials.
This review is a direct taxpayer issue. It determines how much of the town’s operating budget is allocated to labor and governance. The objective of the annual review is to ensure Bentley remains competitive with neighboring municipalities to retain staff, while also justifying costs to the local tax base. Any changes resulting from this review will be reflected in the 2025 operating budget.
Water Safety and Infrastructure
Council formally approved the 2024 Annual Water and Wastewater Report. This mandatory document serves as a report card for the town’s utility systems over the past year.
The report tracks compliance with Alberta Environment and Protected Areas standards, including chemical levels, filtration efficiency, and bacteriological testing. Approval of this report confirms that the town’s drinking water met safety standards throughout 2024. It also provides Council with a data-driven look at the health of the town's underground infrastructure, flagging any areas where water loss or pipe degradation may require future capital spending.
Sale of Town Land
Council moved forward with the sale of a town-owned property at 4812 55th Ave (Lot 2, Block 2, Plan 1521374).
Selling surplus municipal land provides a dual benefit: it generates immediate non-tax revenue from the sale price and returns the property to the active tax roll. Once the land is in private hands and developed, it will provide ongoing property tax income for the town.
Other Business
* Financials: Council approved the prepaid cheque listing, covering payments No. 20250056 through 20250091 for town expenses.
* Regional Coordination: Council reviewed correspondence from Lacombe County regarding their February 13 meeting and upcoming public hearings for County Bylaws 1429-25 and 1430-25. These items ensure the town is aware of neighboring developments that may impact local traffic or drainage.
What’s Next
With Bylaw 250/2024 now law, residents planning renovations or new builds should visit the town office to review how the changes affect their specific property. The next regular meeting of Council is scheduled for its usual rotation in March.