Woodlands County residents express concerns about growth

WOODLANDS COUNTY – County residents raised concerns about housing growth at a land use bylaw information session in Fort Assiniboine Oct. 8. 

Representatives from Woodlands County, along with Reeve Dave Kusch, Councillor Peter Kuelken and Councillor Devin Williams, faced a gathering of 32 people at the Fort Assiniboine Legion..

“This is just information gathering. None of this is set in stone. None of this is in bylaw,” said Kusch in  his introductory remarks.

“None of this is in anything written that holds any weight currently. What we’re doing is just information gathering.”

Tension rose when the topic of communal or cooperative living guidelines was discussed.

“Rumours that I’m hearing on the street is that they’re going to buy out these quarters and put 80 tiny homes on them so they can all flock to this life. I want to know if that is actually the direction,” asked an attendee.

Kusch explained that they would first have to submit an application.

They have to provide access to each one of the sites that has to be engineered including culverts drainage and driveways.

They have to run in sewers, water, and power for all of the sites, which is very costly.

There would be a community open house around the proposals for where they will go and if there’s issues with the community and with the neighbours.

Kuelken clarified that these information sessions were to ensure the communities have their “fingerprint on the updates” and that people have their say.

The point was made that if ideas fit with the majority, they can be added to the wording of the updates now, before anything is cemented into a legal binding bylaw.

Kusch was quick to clarify that the ideas presented were to meet the needs of residents as their families grow and want to expand the number of houses allowed on agricultural properties.

“Tell us how many houses you would allow per 70-acre section?” asked a female attendee.

“How many do you feel is the right number?” Kusch replied. “That is why we are here, to get your feedback.”

Kusch provided an example, “This is to give the opportunities that as kids are growing up, being able to actually have another place on [their] property without doing a subdivision.

“Or mom and dad having a smaller living accommodation on their property without having three generations living in a four- or five-bedroom house.”

The current land use bylaw allows for an attached garden suite meeting several strict regulations.

There was an undercurrent about the number of people moving into the community.

Comments varied from not wanting large growth to being in favour of more people contributing to more taxes for the upkeep and maintenance of infrastructure and facilities.

The presentation is available on the Woodlands County website for anyone who missed the information session.

Two other sessions in other communities are being held.

Woodlands County repeatedly stated that they are taking a conservative approach and moving slowly gathering feedback before any land use bylaws would be changed.

They are open to discussions with any residents who have ideas or questions and can be reached at [email protected] or 780-778-8400.

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