County help needed to keep dream alive

Ross Creek Estates could still be built with some bylaw changes from Lamont

BY JANA SEMENIUK

The owner of an acreage subdivision located between Lamont and Chipman, is requesting changes to the proposed land use bylaw in Lamont County that would ease the path to establishing her development.

Rose Axell, owner of Ross Creek Estates, made her presentation Jan. 24 during the public hearing portion of the Lamont County Council meeting for the proposed Land Use Bylaw.

Axell explained how plans for the 49-lot development, each lot 1.5 acres, began in 2011 amid anticipated growth to the area.

“Back then developing estate type lots was a great idea (because) there were five major refineries slated for the Alberta Industrial Heartland, along with multiple other projects,” she said.

“The whole region was on track for a major boom and massive growth was predicted.”

Axell said the boom never materialized, leaving her and her husband scrambling for ways to get their development off the ground.

She said they have remortgaged their land in addition to spending most of their retirement savings trying to make their dream a reality, but they are not ready to give up.

“My husband and I are still believers in Lamont County,” she said. “We believe that this county is a great place to live and work, so we want to work with you to make this development happen.”

Axell presented three areas where Lamont County could reduce requirements that would result in a savings of nearly $5 million to the cost of establishing the development and encourage buyers.

The first was the requirement of paved roads for the subdivision.

Axell compared Ross Creek Estates to many hamlets in Lamont County that do not have paved roads in addition to several other subdivisions in Beaver County and Parkland County who also do not have paved roads.

The second was the provision for a community sewer treatment plant.

“Is a community sewer treatment plant really required? Why can't the lots have septic tanks that are pumped out and sewage hauled away?” she asked. “Also, water cisterns could be a feasible solution.”

Lamont County Reeve David Diduck asked Axell whether the subdivision could tie into water from Chipman.

“That was the intention originally, but when we priced it out without the county's help, there's a reservoir that has to be built and then a trickle water system and it amounts to millions of dollars,” she said.

Additionally, Axell asked Lamont County to consider their minimum size of home required, which is currently 1,200 square feet. She said the cost of building a home has increased which could push some people out of the market to owning their own homes on their own land.

“We feel all people deserve the opportunity to own their own home and their own land. I know that the county has been approached about the possibility of building small homes,” she said.

“You have the opportunity right now to implement change that would embrace those people who are looking to build small homes.”

Diduck said the comments and requests would be taken into consideration before final approval of the LUB and MDP (Municipal Development Plan).

CAPTION: Alberta's Energy Minister, Pete Guthrie, and Fort SaskatchewanVegreville MLA Jackie Armstrong Homeniuk met with the Alberta Industrial Heartland Association (AIHA) Jan. 25 and toured the North West Redwater Sturgeon Refinery to see first-hand the work that is underway in the region while also discussing emerging opportunities to help support future growth. L-R: Vanessa Goodman from NWR, Minister of Energy Pete Guthrie, Fort Saskatchewan-Vegrville MLA Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk, Lamont County Reeve and board member David Diduck, and Mark Plamondon Executive Director. Photo: Gabrielle Symbalisty

EINP controlled burn impacted air quality readings

BY JOHN MATHER

The Fort Air Partnership has released its fourth quarter air quality results for the area around the Alberta Industrial Heartland and of 12,597 hours monitored, 11,387 or 90.3 per cent of the hours the air quality health index was low risk.

The air quality health index was in the moderate quality for 1,179 hours representing 9.4 per cent of the monitored hours and 31 hours or .25 per cent had high or very high risk AQHI.

The monitoring period was from Oct to December of 2022.

The reasons given for the AQHI excedences were given as meteorological conditions, a controlled burn at Elk Island National Park, and wintertime temperature inversions.

FAP has ten continuous air monitoring stations in and around Alberta’s Industrial Heartland.

Elk Island National Park beckons outdoors lovers

BY JOHN MATHER Elk Island National

Park offers a full slate of winter activities to get the public outside and to enjoy nature and they are inviting everyone to come out during the upcoming Family Day weekend.

The park’s Astotin Theatre is open Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. It will also be open Feb. 20, Family Day. The public is encouraged to stop by the theatre to warm up during a visit to the park. Inside they can discover artifacts, speak with a park interpreter and watch movies on the big screen.

People are invited to cross country ski on the newly groomed 1.5 km loop on the golf course, which has moderate hills.

There are snowshoe rentals available at the Astotin Lake Campground kiosk from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. All the hiking trail in the park are suitable for snowshoeing.

Pond hockey can also be played on the rink at Astotin Lake.

Viewing the northern lights is a popular winter activity at Elk Island National Park. Elk Island, part of the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve (BHDSP), experiences large amounts of traffic when northern lights are predicted. Dark Sky Preserves are great places to view the stars or aurora because they have low to no levels of light pollution.

Minimizing light pollution within a Dark Sky Preserve allows all Canadians to discover and enjoy the night sky; without the glow of city lights around you’ll see more than you knew existed. Lie down on a blanket and experience seasonal meteor showers, the northern lights or simply count the stars.

A safe place from which to view the northern lights in Elk Island National Park is the Astotin Lake Recreation Area. Drivers are advised to turn off their headlights once safely parked to increase the visibility of Northern Lights. If the Astotin Lake Recreation Area is already crowded, consider other locations in the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve, such as the Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area or Miquelon Lake Provincial Park.

Elk Island National Park officials advise visitors of a variety of winter safety tips they should be cognizant of when visiting the park. Safety is of the utmost importance: roads can be slippery and drivers should always drive according to the road conditions and within the speed limit. Elk Island is home to many species of wildlife and they use the road too. Drivers should watch out for wildlife and drive with caution at all times.

With days getting longer, check the sunset times and be sure to give yourself enough time to finish activities in daylight, and be prepared for the conditions; pack snacks, warm clothing, and a map. Don’t rely on cell phone service in the park.