Area Structure Plans and Development Decisions

[cakadu]

Cowman, that change in the ASB only came into effect this past year. Prior to that, it was 2 public members and 3 council members. The Terms of Reference for the committee must have been changed to allow for more public input.

This last time around, the County had a very hard time finding people to apply for various committee positions so they ran the notice twice and extended the deadline for application. I'm not too sure how many applicants they would have had. I notice that they already have their call for applicants out.

[coppertop]

The ASB is not a decision making body and acts as an advisory body to council on agricultural matters, so even if the ASB makes a recommendation council is not bound to implement it.

In high growth areas such as Red Deer county I would think that individuals that are concerned about the future of agriculture and preservation of agricultural lands should take advantage of the opportunity and apply for appointment to the ASB.

Unfortunately many councils are involved in internal turmoil or are scrapping with their urban neighbours so not enough emphasis is put on recruiting qualified people to apply for positions on MPC, ASB etc.

In our community the Reeve is elected and also sits on the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board which certainly puts him in a precarious position. He continually gets calls from people who oppose development, then sits on the appeal side when the same people appeal a decision of the planning commission. Somehow, I don't think he is getting good advice from administration. I know if I were in his shoes I would not serve on the SDAB in the interest of transparency.

[cowman]

Linda: The four members at large were chosen by the Ag fieldman and the ASB chair. They actively went out and recruited them...in fact had to talk a couple of them into it!
Here is another small revelation: The current ASB will remain the same for at least another year, whether they advertize the postion or not. I have two relatives on this board, so get the inside scoop!
Right now they are allocating money to buy and equip a stock trailer to clean up livestock rollovers on the roads? You know when a liner is in an accident?
I believe the cost is around $60K...which sounds pretty high with a lot of fancy specialized equipment, but through a sponsorship program they hope to recoup most, if not all, of that cost. The fire department would operate it.

[coppertop]

It never ceases to amaze me to what lengths ASB's can go to be creative in getting specialized grant monies.

When I was first appointed to our ASB in 1992 we were given a two day orientation on what our role was, and what we as ASB's were expected to do for our agricultural community. I think many of the ASB's have strayed a long way from their original mandate.

There are some excellent Ag Fieldmen around, Tim Dietzler from the MD of Rockyview being one of them. He has his hands full trying to keep the agricultural industry on the radar screen in that municipality with all the other land use pressures around Calgary.
Keith Boras from Lacombe County is another excellent fieldman.
Many of the good Ag Fieldmen have left to work in the resource industry where their expertise in reclaimations is very much in demand.