The Town of Drayton Valley is getting ready to do a major overhaul of its community standards bylaws.
The new bylaws were presented to town council at their May 25, 2022 meeting.
As administration explained, the plan is to take several of the Town’s community standards bylaws and amalgamate them into one. Officials say this will modernize them, update the language, and make them easier for the town at large to understand them.
The existing community standards bylaws are the first to be up for review, say Town officials. Among the proposed changes are removing the panhandling prohibitions, and changing removal of graffiti from 72 hours, to 72 hours – weather permitting.
There will also be some changes to the noise bylaws. For example, quiet hours will be changed from 10 p.m. – 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. – 7 a.m.
The Town’s firearm control bylaws will be removed completely, as federal law covers those aspects.
There will also be some changes to the Parks and Public Facilities bylaws. One of the changes is amending the times so parks are closed from 11 p.m. – 5 a.m.
One that administration had difficulties with was the temporary shelter bylaw, and was asking for guidance from town council.
Councillor Colin Clark was the one to ask why bylaws defining what a temporary shelter is are even needed, as the Town is getting ready to open its Shelter Pods.
As administration pointed out, the Shelter Pods are only designed to hold a maximum of 28 people. Based on their consultations with various stakeholders, Town officials acknowledge there will be some nights in Drayton Valley where that is not enough. The bylaw is then designed to provide an alternative.
Councillor Amila Gammina wanted to know the specifics of enforcement. For example, how the Town’s bylaw enforcement officers might enforce an unsightly property.
Administration responded that the goal is to give the bylaw enforcement officers as many tools as they need, and then they have the discretion to use what is best. It could be issuing a warning, it could be writing tickets, but the ultimate goal is to get compliance with the law.
Councillor Tom McGee asked about enforcement of noise bylaws.
Administration said the Town does not have any tools like decibel meters. They also recommended the Town not acquire them, as it is not with the extra administrative hassle. Instead, they try to use common sense, and determine what a reasonable person would feel is too loud.
As council had a lot of questions about the changes, and the agenda for the May 25 meeting was rather lengthy, Mayor Nancy Dodds remind council this was just the first reading of the new community standards bylaws. She noted council would have ample opportunity to ask questions during the public consultation.
Council wrapped up their debate and passed first reading of the new bylaws.
The public consultation phase is now in full-swing. The complete list of bylaws can be viewed at the Town of Drayton Valley website.
The Town will also be hosting a town hall on the new bylaws on June 15, 2022. The town hall will be at the Mackenzie Conference Centre in Hall B, and begins at 4 p.m.
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