Bentley Council Approves Revised Land Use Bylaw and $1 Property Purchase
New Zoning Rules Finalized
Bentley Town Council passed the second and third readings of Bylaw 250/2024 Tuesday night, officially adopting a revised Land Use Bylaw. This vote follows a period of revision prompted by resident feedback during a February public hearing.
Why It Matters
The Land Use Bylaw is the primary document governing property development, business permits, and zoning within town limits. Residents should expect the new rules to dictate how private property can be modified and what types of businesses can operate in specific neighborhoods. The revisions made between the February hearing and Tuesday’s vote indicate that council adjusted the plan to accommodate specific public concerns regarding development restrictions.
Citizen Input and Revisions
Council acknowledged that the final version of the bylaw was “revised with feedback” from the Public Hearing held on February 25. While the specific line-item changes were handled in committee, the move to third reading confirms that council believes the current draft balances growth with the concerns raised by property owners.
RCMP Reports and Body Cameras
Staff Sergeant Jay Peden of the Sylvan Lake RCMP presented the Fourth Quarter Community Report and updated crime statistics. The data compared Bentley’s local crime rates against five-year provincial trends.
Sgt. Peden also updated council on the implementation of body-worn cameras for officers. The rollout is part of a provincial mandate to increase transparency during police interactions. For Bentley residents, this means officers patrolling the area will soon be equipped with recording devices during all service calls and traffic stops.
Strategic $1 Land Purchase
Council moved to accept an offer to purchase Lot 8, Block 1, Plan 8020604 for the nominal sum of $1.00.
This acquisition places the title of the property under town control. While the town did not immediately announce a specific project for the site, nominal sum transfers are typically used to secure land for future municipal infrastructure, green space, or to facilitate specific economic development projects that private owners are unable to maintain.
Fire Response Cost Recovery
Council addressed a cost recovery claim for a fire response at 5209 50th Street. The town’s policy allows for the billing of fire department services to property owners or their insurance providers to offset the taxpayer burden of emergency responses. This specific case was brought to the floor to ensure the billing met municipal guidelines for service delivery.
Other Business
* Museum Support: Council received a formal thank-you letter from the Bentley Museum Society regarding recent support or funding.
* Hiring Push: The town officially posted vacancies for three roles: a Returning Officer for upcoming electoral duties, summer students for seasonal maintenance, and a caretaker for the municipal campground.
* Regional Coordination: Highlights from the February 27 Lacombe County Council meeting were reviewed to ensure alignment on regional infrastructure and service sharing.
What’s Next
The Land Use Bylaw takes effect immediately. Residents planning renovations or new construction must now adhere to the updated standards. The town will begin advertising for the campground caretaker and summer student positions effective this week, with the goal of having staff in place before the May long weekend.