Woodlands County is moving towards creating a new committee to hear bylaw enforcement appeals.
The first steps were taken at County council’s June 22 meeting.
It is designated County officers, such as peace officers, who issue County orders. These are things like stop work orders and clean up orders.
If a County resident wants to appeal these orders, in the past, it would go to the Subdivision Development and Appeal Board (SDAB). The County started thinking that this could lead to a perception of bias. For example, the SDAB could be hearing an appeal on a development for a lot, and then hearing an appeal for a clean-up order on the same lot. To remove the perception of impropriety, it was decided a separate committee to hear appeals on bylaw enforcement issues would be needed.
Bylaw enforcement officer Dallas Choma of Lac Ste. Anne County was at the meeting to answer any questions Council may have. Lac Ste. Anne County is under contract with Woodlands County to provide bylaw enforcement for Woodlands County, and Choma modeled the system on how Lac Ste. Anne County operates.
Choma pointed out that, as the SDAB is made up primarily of people outside Woodlands County, this will result in a cost savings for the County.
“By having an enforcement review board made up of three members of council, it is very simple. It is part of council’s duties at that point,” said Choma.
Administration added that this will also help with red tape reduction, as the SDAB will be able to focus solely on development appeals.
The first two readings passed at council. However, Councillor Jeremy Wilhelm asked that third reading be delayed. As Wilhelm pointed out, County Reeve John Burrows was absent for the meeting.
“In my opinion, all members of council should be here when we are passing a new bylaw, so the Reeve should have his chance to comment on the bylaw,” said Wilhelm.
Wilhelm also added he would like an opportunity to speak with the councillors who sit on Lac Ste. Anne County’s Enforcement Review Committee to get a better sense of how such a committee operates.
Third and final reading of the bylaw to create Woodlands County’s Enforcement Review Committee will be held at their meeting on July 20.
