When Council meets for the first time in 2019 on Jan. 8 at 4 p.m., most of the debate and discussion will centre around updating the land use bylaw and the future of Fort McMurray’s waterfront.
As discussed during the final council meeting of 2018, Council is looking at ways to solve issues surrounding the Fly In Fly Out (FIFO) rotational workforce.
Administration is thinking that this could be done by updating the land use bylaw and the fee schedule.
Currently permit fees for project or camp accommodations remain low, with a base fee of $250 plus $1.25 for each proposed bed.
With roughly 31 per cent of the regions population comprised of a FIFO workforce who are home to 109 work camps with a constructed capacity of 55,065 beds and an approved build-out of 68,753 beds, by adjusting the fees the Municipality could generate more revenue.
Other amendments to the land use bylaw are being made to provide the Municipality with better oversight and control on future camp accommodations.
Waterfront rezoning
On Feb. 10, 2015, the Waterfront Steering Committee heard nearly 50 recommendations to Council about possible uses for the waterfront. Almost four years later, the development of a large riverside park along the Snye and Clearwater River became the Committee’s “primary recommendation”.
With four of the 30 parcels of residential and mixed-use district land already rezoned to the Parks and Recreation City Centre District (PR-CC), the goal of the recommendation would be to rezone the remaining municipal lands as part of the PR-CC, proceed with the first reading, and schedule a public hearing on the riverfront park.
Other subjects for discussion at Council are the formation of a Community Standards Appeal Committee, an update on the fourth quarter of the Competitive Procurement Audit Action Plan for 2018, and the re-districting of Franklin Avenue to include a drive-thru service that’s consistent with the 2018-2021 Strategic Plan.
