Here are the highlights from Sturgeon County Council’s regular meeting on February 25, 2025.
Proclamations
Council declared February 26, 2025, as Pink Shirt Day in Sturgeon County.
Council declared March 8, 2025, as International Women’s Day in Sturgeon County.
Sturgeon Regional Partnership Regional Economic Development Working Group Endorsement – Terms of Reference
Council endorsed the Terms of Reference for the Sturgeon Regional Partnership Regional Economic Development Working Group. The purpose of this temporary working group is to achieve better economic development outcomes in the face of increasingly tight budgets and scarce resources, in collaboration with the towns of Bon Accord, Gibbons, Legal, Morinville, and Redwater.
Public Hearing Bylaw 1670/24 – Amendment to Land Use Bylaw 1385/17 – Redistricting a Portion of SW-29-55-26-4 from R4 – Hamlet Serviced District to DC24 – Direct Control District 24
Council held a public hearing for Bylaw 1670/24 to redistrict a portion of land at SW-29-55-26-4 from R4 (hamlet serviced district) to DC24 (direct control district 24). This would facilitate the relocation of a recreation vehicle sale operation to Riviere Qui Barre. Council will consider the presentations made during the hearing and any written submissions registered and will make a decision at a future Council meeting.
Non-Statutory Public Hearing – Starkey Hills Outline Plan
Council held a non-statutory public hearing for the Starkey Hills Outline Plan, which facilitates the development of approximately 39.20 hectares of River Lot 63. The hearing was recessed to provide Council the opportunity to review associated written submissions and will reconvene at the next Council meeting on March 11.
The land use concept for the Outline Plan includes a mix of uses but is predominantly residential, with a future commercial area proposed in the east of the development adjacent to Starkey Road. The parcel in question is bound by Coal Mine Road to the north and west, Starkey Road to the east, and the existing community of Manor Pointe to the south.
Enforcement Enhanced Authorities Approval
Council directed Administration to seek Emergency Response authority for Sturgeon County Peace Officers through the Ministry of Justice and Solicitor General. Emergency Response authority allows Alberta Peace Officers to respond to certain emergency situations with lights and sirens activated. Council also directed Administration to seek Primary Highway Enforcement authority for Sturgeon County Peace Officers through the Ministry of Justice and Solicitor General.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Community Policing Priorities 2025
Council was provided with a “What We Heard Report” summarizing the feedback collected by RCMP as part of their annual priority meetings. Council approved three 2025 Community Policing Priorities to be recommended to the RCMP serving Sturgeon County: Crime Reduction – Property & Drug-Related Offences, Police Visibility, and Public Awareness & Communication.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
2024 Protective Services Summary
Council received the 2024 Protective Services Summary as information. In 2024, Enforcement Services responded to 7,779 incidents. Emergency Services responded to 1,031 incidents in 2024, which was the highest year on record.
Next Council Meeting
The next Sturgeon County Council meeting will be held at 9 a.m. on March 11, 2025. Future agendas and past meeting minutes can be found online.
Fast facts about land use bylaw amendments and public hearings
View our webpage about land use planning and community engagement.
- 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 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 780-939-8277.
- When considering public input, Council considers how and to what degree the person is impacted by the proposed amendment.
