BONNYVILLE – The La Corey Major Area Structure Plan (MASP) was passed unanimously by council during the MD of Bonnyville’s regular council meeting on Dec. 22.
The Lac Corey MASP will replace the Area Structure Plan for La Corey that was implemented in 1981.
The future development portion of the MASP, proposes that development continue to expand out from the main transportation arteries of 50 Ave. (Highway 55) and 50 St. (Highway 41) that run through the hamlet, which would expand commercial zones at and near the main intersection.
The remaining stretch of 50 Ave. that will not be transitioned into a commercial zone will stay as a hamlet urban reserve, as it is not anticipated to be needed for development within a 20-year timeframe.
No substantial changes to the MASP’s final draft were noted by administration before council gave the La Corey Bylaw a second and third reading.
The MASP took over a year to compile and included feedback from a virtual presentation and survey done in November of 2020, followed by an in-person open house on Aug. 17, and the first reading of the bylaw on Oct. 27. Members of the public had an additional opportunity to provide input on the La Corey MASP during the Dec. 8 council meeting.
The MASP is intended to help guide development in the hamlet for the next 20 years. A copy of the MASP will be made available on the MD’s website.
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Urban non-profits eligible for MD operating grants
After a lengthy discussion during the Dec. 15 committee of the whole meeting, council agreed that urban non-profit community associations should remain eligible for support under both the MD’s Community Association Operating Grant Policy and the Community Action Grant Policy.
This includes non-profits that operate in the Town of Bonnyville, the City of Cold Lake and the Village of Glendon.
The 2022 budget for the Community Association Operating Grant Policy is $700,000, the same amount that was allocated in 2021. The 2022 Community Action Grant Budget is $150,000.
Organizations on the list of eligible community associations approved by council can apply for an operating grant every year based on criteria outlined in the policy.
According to the revised Community Association Operating Grant Policy, the maximum annual funding provided through this grant program states a maximum of $5,000 can be provided to community associations with no hall.
A maximum of $15,000 can be awarded to urban seniors' centres and Chambers of Commerce, this excludes the annual membership fee.
A maximum of $25,000 can be awarded to agricultural societies, community associations with a hall, and museums and historical societies. Only the Glendon Agricultural Society is able to receive a maximum operating grant to a maximum amount of $150,000, according to the policy.
All funding for the grant program is subject to the MD’s annual budget availability.
The not-for-profit community associations, organizations, and societies that have been approved by council and added to the grant’s eligibility list must provide MD residents with necessary rural community services and/or infrastructure.
The policy states “Eligible community associations must demonstrate a financial need for the requested grant funding within their application. The MD will review all provided application documentation, including the previous year’s annual financial statement, for proof of demonstrated financial need.”
Master Rate Bylaw approved
Council gave second and third reading to the Master Rates Bylaw, which consolidates all service fees and fines charged by the municipality.
The first draft of the bylaw was first brought before council on Dec. 8 and was described as a living document that would be modified regularly to reflect the changes to the municipality's fees and fines.
“The bylaw will be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure accuracy and fairness of rates for services provided,” according to information released by the MD’s administration, along with the revised Master Rates Bylaw.
The bylaw includes fees for the municipality's parks and campgrounds, waste and resource recovery, and building permits.
Originally, administration said the bylaw could take several months to complete. A copy of the bylaw will be made available on the MD’s website.
