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Council approves temporary tax reduction
Mac Olsen
for South Peace News
High Prairie town council approved a new subdivision and development tax reduction policy, which will be effective until Dec. 31, 2010.
Councillor David Vanderwell asked if the dates were set. CAO Lonny Miller said yes, adding the residential and commercial policies were combined into one. Developers must apply for the reductions and council has to give its approval.
The policy shall apply “to all vacant lots created by the subdivision process or demolition in one year and assessed for property tax purposes the following year as subdivided parcels; and shall apply to all vacant lots created thereafter.” It will also apply to all vacant lots which are redeveloped to current municipal standards.
It applies only to the cancellation of the municipal tax levy, as all other tax levies, improvement charges and late payment penalties shall be applied to the land and improvements. It shall cease upon the sale of the property, which will be subject to all the tax levies in the tax year immediately following the sale.
Bylaw amendment given first reading
High Prairie town council gave first reading at its July 22 meeting to a land use bylaw amendment which adds “group home” and “child care facility” as terms of reference.
The group home is a discretionary use under institutional districts and child care facility is a permitted use under institutional districts.
Another provision reclassifies a portion of land in an area of NW ¼ 26-74-17-W5M, from urban reserve to institutional. It’s a residential property which the owner has given permission to rezone for a proposed group home, says Ferguson.
There’s also improved information about sight triangles for intersections. Nothing can be erected, placed, planted or allowed to grow in a way which limits or obstructs the sight distance of motorists entering or leaving an intersection, within a distance of 7.62 metres. It is supposed to improve traffic safety at intersections, says Heather Ferguson, development officer for the Town of High Prairie.
The bylaw will be advertised in the South Peace News for public consultation, as required by the Municipal Government Act.
Members at large sought
The Town of High Prairie is seeking two members at large for its assessment review board.
Mayor Rick Dumont made a motion to advertise for two members at large who will work with Councillor David Vanderwell, while Councillor Jeff Burgar acts as an alternate.
The board reviews property assessments and landowners have 30 days from the date of the tax notice to make their appeals. Dumont says he wants community members to have input for something which affects them.
Letter of support for physician recruitment
The Town of High Prairie will send a letter to Alberta Health Services requesting they reverse their decision to refuse privileges to Dr. Cheddie and Dr. Singh.
The Smoky River Regional Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee sent a letter to Dr. Stephen Duckett, the president and CEO of Alberta Health Services, requesting a reversal of the decision. The doctors were supposed to work in High Prairie, McLennan and Slave Lake.
Names announced for Citizens Monument
Mayor Rick Dumont has announced the three names which will be put on the Citizens Monument: John Brodrick, Tony Belli and Doug Spurgeon.
Their names will be unveiled on the monument during the Elks Pro Rodeo July 28-29.
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