Sturgeon County Council Recap: September 9, 2025

Here are the highlights from Sturgeon County Council’s regular meeting on September 9, 2025.

PROCLAMATIONS

Council proclaimed October 4, 2025, as Sisters in Spirit Day in Sturgeon County.
Council proclaimed October 5-11, 2025, as Fire Prevention Week in Sturgeon County.
Council proclaimed October 19-25, 2025, as Small Business Week in Sturgeon County.

Appointment of Chair to the 2025 Assessment Review Board

Council appointed D. Lee Danchuk as the Chair of the Assessment Review Board effective immediately; to carry out duties prescribed in section 454.1(2) and 454.2(2) of the Municipal Government Act and Bylaw 1409/18.

Consolidated Contract Award Report – July 5 to August 22, 2025

Council accepted the Consolidated Contract Award Report of July 5 to August 22, 2025, as information.

Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta Grant

Council directed Administration to proceed with a grant submission to the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta FireSmart Program to fund the development of a Wildfire Risk and Hazard Assessment and a Wildfire Mitigation Strategy.

Bylaw 1679/25 to Designate Victoria Trail as a Municipal Historic Area – Second and Third Readings

Council gave second and third readings of Bylaw 1679/25 (Victoria Trail Municipal Historic Area Designation), enabling the designation of approximately 13km of Victoria Trail within Sturgeon County as a municipal historic area.

Victoria Trail also sometimes known as Carlton Trail or Fort Garry (Winnipeg) Trail, has been referred to as the “first highway” in western Canada for its role as an early and primary overland travel route for exploration, mission, and settlement in the Canadian West.

Bylaw 1668/25 – Parks Bylaw – Second and Third Readings

Council gave second and third readings of Bylaw 1668/25 (Regulation of Parks), establishing authority to regulate and develop administrative procedures for services that Sturgeon County already provides to residents and visitors for various park related activities. It also allows certain activities to be permitted through delegated authority by the Chief Administrative Officer such as hosting special events, haying/grazing, etc.

Bylaw 1692/25 Train Whistle Cessation Bylaw – Three Readings

Council gave first, second and third readings of Bylaw 1692/25 (The Regulation of Train Whistles), enabling the prohibition of the use of train whistles at specified railway crossing situated within the boundaries of Sturgeon County.

Range Road 235 (Lily Lake Road) – Variable Speed Limit for Prairie Gardens

Council approved a motion of a Variable Speed Limit for Range Road 235 (Lily Lake Road) in front of Prairie Gardens from 100km/h to 80 km/h until Nov 1, 2025, to manage peak season traffic.

County Administration was directed to enter into a Development Agreement with Prairie Gardens to construct, install, and maintain variable speed limit signage and associated infrastructure, and to regulate the usage of the variable speed limit as a traffic management tool. Administration was additionally directed to bring forward an ‘assessment of results’ for the September 1 to October 31, 2025, season to Council in Q1 2026.

Funding Request for Calahoo Lagoon Environmental Report

Council refused a request to fund a Calahoo lagoon environmental report associated with a private resident’s development permit application. The applicant was looking to replace an existing manufactured home with a new manufactured home on a parcel located approximately 160 meters from the working area of the Calahoo wastewater lagoon.

Municipal Development and Building Permit Statistics

Council received the Municipal Development and Building Permit Statistics Briefing Note as information.

Sturgeon County Fire Master Plan

Council accepted the Fire Master Plan as information for planning purposes. The Fire Master Plan guides future budget submissions and emergency management strategic planning.

Strategic Planning Policy

Council approved a motion implementing a corporate Strategic Planning Policy. This policy provides guidance on the County’s strategic planning efforts, including direction and timing related to the organization’s establishment of a Strategic Plan, Corporate Business Plan, and regular reporting.

MAYOR AND COUNCIL

Review of Sturgeon County’s Gravel Road Network Standards (Councillor Berry)

Council directed Administration to review the County’s gravel road network, develop alternative classification systems based on factors such as usage (e.g., heavy industrial, agricultural, commuter) and connectivity to population centers (e.g., subdivisions), and that Administration bring forward recommended service levels with appropriate surface treatment options, such as chemical stabilization, cold mix oil surface treatment, or full-strength pavement for each classification for Council’s consideration by Q1 2026.

Confined Feeding Operations (Councillor McLennan)

Council directed the Mayor to submit a letter to the National Resource Conservation Board (NRCB), requesting that municipalities be granted greater decision-making authority over confined feeding operation (CFO) applications within their jurisdiction, such as the recent approval decision on the Alcomdale Hutterite colony feedlot operation expansion, where the County’s input was not adequately considered. NRCB current permitting process for confined feeding operations in Alberta can be found here.

Council directed the Chief Administrative Officer to bring forward options for Council’s consideration in Q1 2026 related to language within the County’s statutory plans and/or Land Use Bylaw that the NRCB could consider when reviewing applications for confined feeding operations in Sturgeon County, including both opportunities to support appropriate growth and development of CFOs in agricultural areas and potential constraints in proximity to residential and other sensitive land uses.

Emergency Management Communications (Mayor Hnatiw)

Council directed Administration to prepare and present options, including implementation and operational impacts, for enhancing emergency communication processes to ensure timely notification for residents requiring evacuation or protective action.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

Preliminary T2 Financial Update

The Committee received the Preliminary T2 Financial Update as information.

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 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 780-939-8277.

When considering public input, Council considers how and to what degree the person is impacted by the proposed amendment.