Skip to content

Ponoka County discusses Poulsen’s Pasture

Policing costs, Bobtail Road bridge replacement and other Ponoka County council briefs
22807209_web1_200506-PON-CountyBriefs-ponoka_1
File photo

CAO Charlie Cutforth advised Ponoka County council during its regular meeting on Sept. 8 that Poulsen’s Pasture had more than one recreational vehicle located in numerous places on the lot, for extended periods of time.

As it’s private property, the county isn’t able to enforce restrictions.

Although septic disposal concerns were brought up, Reeve Paul McLauchlin suggested the county’s role is to monitor noise and ensure the peace and enjoyment of personal property.

Coun. Doug Weir pointed out that numerous recreational vehicles using county roads also means they’re not paying additional taxes for temporary residency.

READ MORE: Trailer scourge hits county once again

Second residents requests

County administration has not been able to come up with a new policy for second residences on acreages, stating it was too complex of an issue.

As a compassionate way to deal with the issue, as most of these requests are due to financial hardship, administration recommended that no further residents be allowed in an existing multi-lot subdivision and that any other request would be discretionary with adjacent landowners.

Administration will prepare a recommendation for a possible amendment to the related bylaw, to be brought before council at a later date.

Subdivision timelines

Council voted to extend the allowed time for subdivisions to be completed from one year to five, with one opposed and four in favour.

McLauchlin was in favour, saying this was red tape reduction. Any subdivisions not sold or developed would still be assessed as farmland.

ProMetal development permit

The vote to approve a development permit for ProMetal Management Inc. passed unanimously.

The company plans to build a commercial shop on SW 10-42-26-W4.

Council noted that there had been more positive feedback for the site than negative, and the tax on the new building would be significant and diversify the county’s tax base.

Municipal Affairs update

McLauchlin, Cutforth and Peter Hall, director of operations, attended a meeting with the new Minister of Municipal Affairs, Tracy Allard.

In the meeting, it was discussed that MSI funding probably won’t be available in 2021, there will be no change in assessment in 2021, and the minister’s office is to make an official announcement on Oct. 1.

Police model

According to Cutforth, Ponoka County will have to pay $300-$400,000 per year for policing costs after a three-year period, if the proposed police model proceeds.

The county has already received a refund for contributions it made for enhanced policing positions in 2020.

Bobtail Road bridge

The county approved administration to apply for Municipal Stimulus Funding in the amount of $1,165,000 for the Bobtail Road bridge.

Applications must be in before Oct. 1 and can’t be for any previously budgeted-for project. The county hopes to replace the bridge and estimates it would cost $1.5 million.

FRIAA grant

Council voted to support the Regional Fire Department’s application for Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta (FRIAA) grant funding.



Emily Jaycox

About the Author: Emily Jaycox

I’m Emily Jaycox, the editor of Ponoka News and the Bashaw Star. I’ve lived in Ponoka since 2015 and have over seven years of experience working as a journalist in central Alberta communities.
Read more