COLD LAKE - The City of Cold Lake is moving forward with efforts to regulate the use of its Environmental Reserve (ER) lands, with administration seeking feedback from the Corporate Priorities Committee during its March 18 meeting on the proposed implementation of license agreements.
The initiative stems from ongoing efforts to address private encroachments on municipal reserve lands along Cold Lake’s shoreline. Since 2019, the City has been working to document, understand, and manage these encroachments, which in many cases have existed for years and predate current property owners, according to the City of Cold Lake.
Mayor Craig Copeland reviewed the implementation plan, highlighting the importance of clear communication with affected homeowners.
He asked how site inspections would be conducted and whether homeowners would be notified in advance, suggesting the letter include specific dates.
Andrew Jabs, manager of Land Use Planning, Development, and Regulatory Services, speaking on behalf of the administration, clarified the phased approach.
“Our intention is to move to that phase once we've issued the letter and provided an opportunity for folks to come in,” he said. He further noted that the letter would mention the April 30 deadline for homeowners to engage with the City, though administration is now considering extending it until the end of May.
To ensure compliance, site visits will follow the deadline, with officials leaving notices at properties and returning a week later if no response is received.
“Of course, on that letter, giving them the opportunity to give us a call so that we could arrange for an inspection at their convenience,” Serba explained.
Copeland noted that a $500 fee in the proposed licensing agreements is widely known among residents, as it has been an ongoing issue for years.
Another requirement under discussion was the necessity for homeowners using ER lands to obtain $2 million in liability insurance.
Jabs acknowledged the concern but explained that the requirement was reasonable, as homeowners using ER lands should provide their own insurance rather than relying on the city for coverage.
Coun. Bill Parker raised a separate issue regarding potential environmental impacts.
“In reviewing all of this, I didn't see anything where it said there was to be no removal of any of the product that is on the beach or if there's trees, bushes, or other things there,” he said. “And I'm just wondering if maybe that should be somehow put into there. They can't just go and remove it because [they] want to put a fire pit there.”
Jabs acknowledged the need for further clarity.
“That is an opportunity for us that we can explore in updating our Q&A information to better clarify that,” he said.
Copeland asked how licensing agreements would be handled when a property is sold and whether they would be tied to the title.
Jabs said the agreements would be transferable, renewing every three years unless circumstances required reassessment.
“We have the opportunity to transfer, so we will enter into a license agreement . . . That agreement is for a three-year term, and it can be transferred in the event that the property changes ownership,” he said.
Administration will return to a future council meeting for further discussion.
