Villeneuve Community Conversation

Project Highlights

Villeneuve Community Conversation

Residents of the Hamlet of Villeneuve have expressed concerns to Sturgeon County about the condition of the fence and noise issues along Highway 44. We know this is an important issue for Villeneuve residents, and we are committed to working with you on a solution. The issue is quite complex. It involves municipal and provincial roads, right-of-ways and encroachments, with several possible next steps and costs to consider.

A community meeting was held on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at the Villeneuve Community Hall to discuss these issues. Those not able to attend the meeting were invited to take part in our online survey to share their thoughts about the fence. The survey was open until January 9, 2023.

We thank you for your feedback.

County staff have analyzed the feedback we received at the meeting and from the online survey. Your input was used to draft a ‘What we heard’ report that will be presented to the community. We are looking to confirm those findings with you and share information that we have gathered about the potential solutions.

Please stay tuned to this page for meeting dates and information about the project.

Location

Frequently Asked Questions about the Villeneuve Fence

1. Who owns the fence?
The existing fence was installed as part of the Ferland development in the late 1970s. The fence is primarily located on Sturgeon County’s reserve lands; however, there are Alberta Transportation right-of-way and residential property lines that impact future considerations.

2. Does the fence have to be replaced with a fence?
No, a final decision has not been made on what to do in this space. There are alternatives, but potential costs and right-of-way impacts need to be looked at. We are open to hearing your ideas about potential solutions.

3. Can I take down or replace the segment of fence across my property?
We recommend that you contact Planning and Development Services before taking down any parts of the fence and before making any plans to replace it. In many cases, a new fence would need to be built along the property line, whereas much of the existing fence is built within the municipal reserve.

4. Will I be reimbursed for my work on the fence?
Due to uncertainties surrounding the next steps, no commitments can be made about reimbursements.

5. When does the County expect to start working on the fence?
There is no date set for work to start. There are a variety of considerations including funding that need to be addressed before the County can start work on this project. Once a final decision is made, options and timing will be confirmed with the community.

6. What other options are available for safety and traffic noise abatement aside from a fence?
We know there have been increasing concerns surrounding sound attenuation. The County has reached out to the Province regarding potential funding and legislation for sound mitigation. We will provide updates on these discussions at the meeting.