Lethbridge County November 21 council meeting overview and utility bill update

Posted on December 12, 2024 by Sunny South News

By Nerissa McNaughton
Southern Alberta Newspapers

Lethbridge County Council met on November 21 to discuss issues and make decisions pertinent to operations, infrastructure, development, and overall resident well-being. 

Among the three subdivision applications was 2024-0-147 – Wisemen Feeders. This application sought to divide a 6.90-acre parcel from a 160-acre quarter-section for rural agricultural use, specifically to accommodate a feed mill yard. The proposal complied with the Land Use Bylaw, allowing subdivisions for agricultural purposes, and meet the criteria for parcel size, which ranges from 2 to 10 acres. The subdivision is intended to separate the feed mill and its structures from the rest of the agricultural land. Access is provided via existing roads, and no water or sewage services are required. The application has been recommended for approval, as it aligns with provincial regulations and municipal policies, and no concerns were raised by external agencies. During the meeting, application 2024-0-147-Wisemen Feeders was approved subject to conditions in the draft resolution. 

Public hearings were also a part of the meeting, giving residents, businesses and other interested parties a chance to be heard and make known any thoughts – for or against – a variety of developments. 

Hearings included:

• Bylaw 24-013 – Amendment to the Edgewood Stables Area Structure Plan: This hearing involved an application to amend the Edgewood Stables Area Structure Plan (Bylaw 1362) to permit the addition of three new country residential lots. 

• Bylaw 24-016 – Re-designation of Plan 9011051 Block 1 Lot 1: This application sought to change the land use designation of Plan 9011051 Block 1 Lot 1 in SE 30-9-22-W4 from Rural Agriculture to Rural General Industrial. The purpose of this re-designation is to facilitate the relocation of a long-haul trucking company to the site.

• Bylaw 24-017 – Re-designation of Plan 1711734 Block 2 Lot 3: The hearing addressed an application to re-designate Plan 1711734 Block 2 Lot 3 in SW 14-9-22-W4 from Direct Control (Bylaw 1456) to a new Direct Control (Bylaw 24-017). The applicant intends to establish a place of worship on this parcel.

An ongoing concern across Alberta is the need for doctors in rural communities. The meeting’s agenda included a delegation to present a Physician Recruitment Advocacy Report. In 2024, the Plan was updated to include a shift to focus on physicians in local areas, in support of the overall goal: “To encourage and support provincial efforts to recruit physicians to practice in Lethbridge; not only family physicians, but also physicians and health professionals in specialty areas.”

The report optimistically points out that the “number of family physicians in southwest Alberta is currently growing” thanks to a “4.5 per cent increase in physicians province-wide since September 2023,” an “increase of 22 physicians (up to 313 from 291) in Lethbridge since September 2023.”

In general County news, the postal strike affects paper utility bills, which currently will not be mailed. Payment deadlines, however, remain in effect. Customers can check their balances by calling or emailing, sign up for e-billing online, or can pay in person at the Lethbridge office. Also, note that Cardlock invoices have not been mailed since August due to a system error, and for those particular invoices, the County is showing grace for cardlock deadlines. In this instance, customers can also call or email for balances, pay in person, or wait for mail service to resume.