MD OF BIGHORN – In order to consolidate and establish the operations department’s standards under a single policy, the MD of Bighorn council was presented with the new infrastructure servicing standards policy.
These new standards will clarify and simplify the process for developers who are subdividing land in the small holding district, according to municipal staff.
“It is house cleaning and it is to incorporate new design standards for small subdivision holdings,” said Bill Luka, Bighorn’s director of operations. “This would be a new schedule for standards for small holdings.”
Luka said it would simplify the process and make things clearer for administration.
“I am quite excited about this whole process.”
Due to a large amount of information put forward to council, the decision was made to table a decision on the policy.
“It is overwhelming going through this process and not knowing enough,” Coun. Jen Smith said. “It might just be me, and I am OK if my fellow councillors could digest it properly. I could use more time and have you go through it more intensely.”
Luka said if it was council’s position, the matter could be deferred.
“I would rather defer a long and tough discussion and we can address it in a different forum or separate session,” he said. “There is no reason to push it through.”
Coun. Alice James agreed it would be a good idea to delay a decision.
“I tried to read through it but it was a lot to do in a short amount of time.”
Coun. Joss Elford added due to the amount of engineering information in the document, it would be unlikely council would have a full understanding of it.
“This is a lot of information that has been put together and it is not necessary for us to understand everything, but to trust the people who have put together the policy.”
Smith said she agreed, but added she would like a better understanding as it would be beneficial.
“It feels like we might be limiting ourselves,” Reeve Lisa Rosvold said.
Council approved the motion to have the policy brought back to the finance and economic development committee.
“Then we can have a more thorough discussion and help us connect what these changes actually mean,” Rosvold said.
