Here are the highlights from Sturgeon County Council’s regular meeting on April 14, 2026.
PROCLAMATIONS
Mayor Hnatiw proclaimed April 21 to 23, 2026, as Canadian Hydrogen Week in Sturgeon County.
Mayor Hnatiw proclaimed April 19 to 25, 2026, as Volunteer Week in Sturgeon County.
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Public Hearing – Bylaw 1700/25 – Amendment to Land Use Bylaw 1385/17 – Resource Extraction Regulations
Council held a public hearing to receive submissions regarding Bylaw 1700/25, a proposed amendment to the Resource Extraction Regulations in the Land Use Bylaw, specifically regarding setback requirements, landowner agreements, and the circumstances under which future operations would be required to redistrict to Resource Extraction Direct Control (RE-DC).
Council recessed the public hearing and directed that further public notification of the public hearing occur, in the form of signage placed along major road networks near existing resource extraction operations. Council will continue to receive submissions regarding Bylaw 1700/25.
Appointment of Chair to the 2026 Assessment Review Boards
Council approved the appointment of Doug Titosky as the Chair of the Local Assessment Review Board and the Composite Assessment Review Board for a 1 year term, which starts immediately.
Membership in the Alberta Rural Industrial Caucus
Council approved that the Mayor, or a designate, attend and represent Sturgeon County’s interests on the Alberta Rural Industrial Caucus.
Bylaw 1697/25 – Amendment to Land Use Bylaw 1385/17 – Part 4 Enforcement Amendments – Second and Third Readings
Council approved Bylaw 1697/25, which will update the enforcement sections of the Land Use Bylaw to improve clarity and consistency in how development-related offences are enforced.
Bylaw 1709/26 – Amendment to Land Use Bylaw 1385/17 – Waste Management Regulations – First Reading
Council gave first reading of Bylaw 1709/26; this proposal would align definitions with provincial terminology, introduce general waste regulations to ensure facilities are properly developed and maintained, and identify what are permitted and discretionary uses within land use districts. A public hearing will be held for Council to receive public input on the proposed Land Use Bylaw amendment.
Morinville Colony Redistricting Application
Council closed the public hearing for Bylaw 1698/25, a proposed land redistricting from Agriculture District (AG) to a Direct Control District 25 (DC25) to provide a range of residential, agricultural, institutional and other uses associated with a communal farming colony. The public hearing was opened on March 10 and remained open for Council to receive additional information based on new information brought forward by the applicant.
As the initial application is substantially different than the original bylaw, Council rescinded first reading of Bylaw 1698/25 to allow Council to consider the new application.
Council also gave first reading of Bylaw 1712/26; this proposal would take into consideration a lagoon. A new public hearing will be held for Council to receive public input on Bylaw 1712/26.
Pinnacle Village Outline Plan and Redistricting Bylaw
Following a public hearing held on July 15 and August 26, 2025, Council rescinded first reading of Bylaw 1683/25. Thereafter Council gave first reading of Bylaw 1710/26; proposing to redistrict approximately 14 hectares within RL 64-54-25-4, details of which are provided in the Pinnacle Village Outline Plan. The Outline Plan proposes a 100 multi-lot residential subdivision, decreasing the density from the 144 multi-lot residential subdivision previously proposed.
A public hearing will be held for Council to receive public input on the proposed Outline Plan and Land Use Bylaw amendment.
2026 Community Grant Allocations
Council approved the joint Community Services Advisory Board and Sand & Gravel Advisory Committee’s recommendation to award the 2026 Community Capital Grants to the community groups identified in Attachment 1 in the total amount of $318,443, with funding from the Community Enhancement Reserve (CAP Levy).
Council also approved the Community Services Advisory Board’s recommendation to award the 2026 Community Operating Grants in the amount of $101,260 to the community groups identified in Attachment 1, with funding from the 2026 Operating Budget – Grants to Organizations.
Whistleblower Policy and Administrative Procedure
Council approved the Whistleblower Policy as presented. This policy explains what counts as wrongdoing, who is responsible for what, and how the County keeps information confidential. It also explains how the County protects both the person who reports the wrongdoing and the person accused, and ensures there are no reprisals for making a report. The policy helps to prevent corruption, fraud and poor management. It makes sure taxpayer money is used properly and that public services stay safe.
Council also received the Whistleblower Administrative Procedure as information, which provides instructions for making a disclosure and any investigation that may be required.
Bylaw 1711/26 – 2026 Taxation Rates – Three Readings
Council approved Bylaw 1711/26, which sets the 2026 municipal tax rates needed to fund approved operating and capital budgets, reflects approved increases for different property types, and allows tax notices to be prepared and mailed on time in accordance with provincial legislation.
A 0.73% municipal residential tax increase has an anticipated financial impact for a residential property valued at $0.5 million of an additional $1.18 per month, or $14.15 per year, if the property’s value was maintained year-over-year.
On the business side, property owners will see a tax rate increase of 3.57 per cent in 2026. For a non-residential property that maintained a $500,000 assessment from year to year, this equals about $195 more per year, or roughly $16 per month.
Governance Framework Review Terms of Reference
Council approved the Governance Framework Review Terms of Reference as presented; a Governance Framework Review that will assess, modernize, and strengthen Sturgeon County’s governance structure and ensure alignment with legislation, leading municipal practices, Council’s priorities, and good governance principles.
Alberta Electoral Boundaries Commission Recommendation Advocacy (Councillor McLennan)
Council approved sending correspondence from the Mayor to the Premier and Minister of Municipal Affairs requesting that the constituency of Lac Ste Anne – Parkland be maintained to ensure Sturgeon County continues to be represented by two Members of the Legislative Assembly.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Alberta Capital Airshed Presentation
The Committee received the Alberta Capital Airshed presentation as information.
2025 Municipal Election Report
The Committee received the 2025 Municipal Election Report presentation as information.
Letter from Gibbons/Bon Accord Food Bank Re: Increasing Community Need Within Sturgeon County
The Committee received a letter from the Gibbons and Bon Accord Food Bank Society regarding the increasing need among residents for their services.
Letter from the Minister of Municipal Affairs Re: 2026 Fire Services Training Program Grant
The Committee received a letter from the Minister of Municipal Affairs informing Sturgeon County has been approved for a 2026 Fire Services Training Program grant of $6,704 to carry out training.
Letter from the Minister of Municipal Affairs Re: Assessment Model Review
The Committee received a letter from the Minister of Municipal Affairs regarding the modernizing of Alberta’s regulated property assessment framework through the Assessment Model Review (AMR).
Letter from the Minister of Municipal Affairs Re: Bill 28
The Committee received a letter from the Minister of Municipal Affairs regarding Bill 28.
Fast facts about land use bylaw amendments and public hearings
View our webpage about land use planning and community engagement.
View our interactive regulations map.
At Sturgeon County, before Council gets public feedback on a proposed land use bylaw amendment, it gives the proposed bylaw first reading. This does not mean Council supports the bylaw; this allows the proposed bylaw to go to the next stage of the bylaw process, which is gathering public input.
Public hearings, along with other public notices, are promoted on the public notices page on the Sturgeon County website as well as in local newspapers, on social media, and on road signs in accordance with the new Sturgeon County Public Notification Bylaw.
Public hearings are open to any members of the public to view or provide input.
Viewing the public hearing: You can view the hearing in-person or via livestream at www.sturgeoncounty.ca/CouncilMeetings
Making a written submission: you can provide a written submission by email up to the close of the public hearing.
Speaking at the public hearing: you can provide a statement at the public hearing in person or via videoconference. You are encouraged to pre-register to speak in-person at the public hearing. If you wish to speak via videoconference, you must register at least 24 hours prior to the opening of the public hearing. Register by contacting Legislative Services at 780-939-8029.
When considering public input, Council considers how and to what degree the person is impacted by the proposed amendment.
