Cochrane council unanimously voted in favour of developing a renewable energy framework for the purpose of providing direction for projects like the wind turbine at Cochrane High School (CHS).
The move means the town will submit an application to Rocky View Schools (RVS) asking for them to delay their own application to the Alberta Utilities Commission to have the wind turbine erected at the high school.
Mayor Truper McBride said the creation of an energy framework would ‘fill holes in the town’s land-use bylaw’ and provide an opportunity for council to have a role in how projects like the wind turbine move forward in the future.
Both McBride and councillor Jeff Toews recognized the residents who live in the area, particularly the No Turbine in Town Coalition (NTT), which has worked to bring this matter and their concerns to the public eye.
“Your drive and perseverance should be commended,” said Toews, adding that the group can rest assured that ‘they were heard.’
Councillor Tara McFadden said council needs the opportunity to discuss renewable energy projects and determine what best fits Cochrane.
McFadden also questioned whether the public would have the chance to provide input into this matter.
McBride said that because this new framework would be part of the town’s strategic planning process, the public would be able to provide feedback.
The Cochrane Environmental Committee (CEC) outlined its plans for the coming year, focusing primarily on a wetlands policy and supporting the implementation of the town’s Zero-Waste Framework Policy.
Miles Chester, chair of the CEC, commended council on moving forward with the zero-waste initiative, and said his committee will target on four areas where recycling can be improved: construction and demolition waste recycling; commercial and industrial; multi-home and condo; and organics.
Chester said they will first focus on organics, but wanted to address all the areas where improvement can be seen.
Chester said the town may be ready to pull off construction and demolition recycling, a venture he himself attempted to tackle when he was a member of town council.
“CEC has a lot of work to do to make these projects complete,” Chester said of the Zero-Waste Framework.
Councillor Ivan Brooker is a member of CEC.
Toews, who referred to himself as an ‘enviro-realist’ said that although he has at times not seen eye-to-eye on all issues with Chester, he would never question his passion for the town.
Joann Churchill, a strong advocate for recycling, said she has started utilizing a compost bin and brings her waste to the Eco Centre each week.
“How many people know that it’s there?” Churchill asked of the compost recycling at the Eco Centre.
Chester said the first step to getting people to recycle more is education.
Cochrane Family and Support Services (FCSS) will celebrate its 25th anniversary this June 27, and plenty of festivities are planned, starting today (March 27) with an interagency social at the RancheHouse.
Linda Graham, who had a hand in starting Cochrane’s FCSS in 1988, was amazed by what the program has brought to the town.
“Little did we know at that time the benefits this would to our community,” she said to council March 25.
The FCSS will hold an open house on June 27 and on July 1, Cochrane Recreation and Culture will bring back legendary Cochranite George Fox to help celebrate the occasion.
Minor home-based businesses, a maximum of two per household, are no longer required to purchase a development permit.
No residents came forward to voice any opposition to this amendment.
