COCHRANE— Cochrane Council was back to meeting in person on Monday (Nov. 9). During the meeting, council gave first reading to a new borrowing bylaw, held a public meeting on zero lot lines, received an update from the Cochrane and Area Humane Society and learned how the Cochrane Public Library is adapting to the challenges of COVID-19.
New borrowing bylaw given first reading for Highway 1A improvements
A borrowing bylaw allowing the Town to take on $2.45 million in debt was given first reading by council.
General manager of Town corporate services Katherine Van Keimpema said the borrowing bylaw became necessary when Council approved the Highway 1A improvement project to the tune of $12.9 million.
The Town will need to take on a debt of $2.45 million of tax-supported debt, financed over 15 years to complete the project. It will be at a cost of about $205,00 per year.
Construction on the project begins in 2021 and the Town will not need to draw on loans until 2022. The debt will not show up on taxpayers until 2023.
Council gave first reading to the bylaw. A 14-day petition process will take place after Nov. 19.
The second and final reading is scheduled for Dec. 14. If the bylaw is passed the Town will become eligible to borrow funds on Jan. 13, 2021.
Councillor Alex Reed noted 54 per cent totalling $6.9 million of the project will be funded by off-site levies and 46 per cent totalling $2.45 million of the project will be covered by debt taken on by the Town.
Public hearing on zero lot line leads to more questions
The debate on Cochrane’s density and development was front and centre at the public meeting discussing the proposed Zero Lot Line Development bylaw change.
Bylaw 18/2020 is a land-use amendment that would allow for the construction of zero lot line single-detached districts, said Town of Cochrane Senior Planner Jill Hofer. The areas affected by the proposed changes include Fireside, Riversong (Precedence), Sunset Ridge and Heartland.
Zero lot line developments are different from traditional homes as they are slightly narrower lots— Zero lot lines have a 1.5-metre easement between properties and would be unable to have a structure built on the space between homes to ensure access to a property is not obstructed.
Traditional lots have a 2.4-metre easement between homes.
During the meeting Councillor, Alex Reed said the bylaw needs to take into account how these changes could potentially affect traffic, parking and safety in Cochrane.
Coun. Susan Flowers noted that this change could make owning a home more affordable for residents looking to purchase property within Cochrane.
Developers/applicants had their say during the meeting including Patrick Wetter and Pam MacInnis of B&A Planning, Alan Boucher of Melcor, Cam Hart of Tamani Communities and a representative from La Vita Lands Inc.
Cochranites Brett Boje, Heather Moore and Linda Gale also spoke against the proposed zero lot line bylaw.
In the end, council directed the developers/applicants to provide the number of zero lot line lots that are projected for each block, and how the density of these blocks with zero lot line homes would compare to the density with each of the other dwelling types currently allowed under the R-2 zoning.
The information will be presented to council when a second reading of the bylaw takes place.
Cochrane and Area Humane Society update
Humane Society executive director Janine Rossler and operations manager Karla Bennett were on hand at the meeting to provide insights into the status of the non-profit.
This year has presented new challenges for the Humane Society as they have learned, pivoted and adjusted to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The organization officially closed its doors to the public on March 17, but their doors remained open to animals in need, Rossler said. They were soon declared an essential service in the province in April.
The Humane Society has slowly begun offering some programs but remains closed for casual visits.
"Personally, I have learned that we are much more adaptable than we originally thought. We can work through fear and uncertainty and as a team we have great strengths and committed staff and volunteers,” Rossler said. She added the Humane Society is grateful for the community support it has received during the pandemic.
In 2020 The Humane Society has adopted 1,299 animals, had 41 animals claim by owners and cared for a total of 1,697 animals as of Saturday (Nov. 7).
Rossler said she sees the changes brought on by COVID-19 as an opportunity to evaluate and adjust along the way to finding their new normal.
Mayor Jeff Genung said he appreciated the positive approach of the organization during the pandemic. Genung added he enjoyed how the Humane Society highlighted how COVID-19 is affecting animals in the community.
"I didn't hear anything negative," he said. "There's so many things that we could all be banging our heads for and about and I just commend you for the way you are adapting and overcoming the challenges of our reality."
Cochrane Public Library Update
Sharing insights into the effects of COVID-19 on the Cochrane Public Library, executive director Jeri Maitland, presented information on the status of the facility.
The library has more than 18,000 memberships, Maitland said, noting the facility has tripled this number in the last five years.
To continue supporting the community the library successfully raised $20,000 in grants over the last five months allowing them to bring new items into the library that support a richly diverse culture of literacy.
“One of the things we do exceptionally well is looking for money and actually getting it,” Maitland said
The library is currently looking for technology grant funding.
During COVID-19 the library has been focused on rolling out online programming to reach as many residents as possible.
They have worked to pivot and adjusted to the pandemic to the best of their ability, Maitland said, to ensure they are able to continue engaging with the community.
As they relaunched Alberta Health and Safety and Calgary Public Library have been critical in helping them draft policies for safely opening, Maitland said, and she is grateful for the relationship and the guidance the Cochrane Public Library has received.
The library officially reopened at the end of May with curbside service and gave out 700 memberships within the first three months of closing its doors.
“We were helping all of those parents that all of a sudden found themselves at home who were at home trying to get their kids through the day and get them through school,” Maitland said.
She noted since the pandemic began item circulation at the library has doubled.
On June 29 the Cochrane library began phase 2 of its relaunch and opened its doors to the public allowing 10 people into the facility at a time.
Currently, 15 people are allowed in the library for 30 minutes at a time.
Coun. Marni Fedeyko praised the ability of the library to successfully apply for grants to create a welcoming space that offers exciting items that can be accessed by families of all ages.
"You guys do an amazing job," Fedeyko said. "The things that you are able to offer are impressive."
