Decisions made at Tuesday night’s council meeting could affect not only the cost of recovery but also the speed of it for many residents.
First, council will look at repealing the by-law that placed conditions on rebuilding in Abasand, Beacon Hill, and Waterways. In all likelihood the by-law will be repealed which will mean all homes outside of the flood zone in Waterways would get the green light for rebuilding once the change is made. Homes within the flood zone could be rebuilt if homeowners met all flood proofing requirements needed for provincial legislation governing the area.
Options are still being considered for an overall development plan for the homes within the flood plain in Waterways and you’re invited to have your say on the possible outcomes by calling the PULSE Line at 780-743-7000. The options include building flood mitigation measures, land swaps either internally or externally to Waterways, or expropriation while other suggestions are being considered.
If you are having difficulty with the application process for a development permit you’re invited to call the PULSE Line at 780-743-7000, write to recovery@rmwb.ca or visit Planning and Development in Timberlea Landing.
Council will also look at compensation for people whose property was destroyed in the creation of a fire break while fighting the fire.
This possible compensation is a recommendation from the Wood Buffalo Recovery Committee and, if approved, would see the Chief Administrative Officer and the Interim Recovery Team Leader work together to develop a program designed to ensure fair compensation for the losses suffered by property owners who suffered loss or damage to their property during the wildfire of May 2016.
The loss or damage would have to have come as a direct result of actions taken on their property by employees, agents or contractors acting on behalf of either the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo or the Province of Alberta; and in an effort to suppress the wildfire or to delay or prevent movements of the wildfire.
If approved the program would have to be brought back to Council for review and approval no later than October 4.
Finally, there’s a motion from Councillor Keith McGrath to have council look at waiving fees for surveys, geotechnical analyses and reports needed to rebuild homes destroyed by the fire.
The motion reads as follows:
1. That Council supports in principle that residential property owners whose homes were destroyed by the May 2016 wildfire should not be required to pay:
(a) the costs of any survey or Real Property Report; or
(b) the costs of any geotechnical investigation, analysis or report that is required as part of a Development Permit application or as a condition of a Development Permit
2. And that Administration is directed to report back to Council with a recommendation for an implementation strategy and a cost estimate in respect of the RMWB paying for the services described in 1. above, including information as to the probability of such costs incurred by the RMWB in support of affected property owners being reimbursed by the Government of Alberta.
