Municipal Planning Commission 2026 06 18

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[0:02] to do an organizational thing at the beginning. So
[0:06] Carrie is unsure on how to do this, but I'm just going to say I'm just going to
[0:08] tell Carrie what to Carrie, we need a motion to appoint a chair or have
[0:13] somebody make a motion to appoint a chair because we we appointed Cassie
[0:18] temporarily for that day. >> I was the one before. Um so yeah, so you
[0:24] just say those words. So, we need a motion for council to appoint a chair.
[0:29] » I can't see either one you want. Well, somebody's got to nominate me then.
[0:32] » Well, nominate you. I don't have a clue
[0:38] about this. >> Okay. Um,
[0:41] » okay. And then somebody move nomination two or three times you ask. Okay. So,
[0:47] you ask if there's any other nominations.
[0:48] » Is there any other nominations? >> No.
[0:52] » Any other nominations? >> No. Anybody saying I move cease?
[0:57] » You have to say I move nomination cease. >> I move nomination cease.
[1:01] » Okay. So, I'm acting chair for today. Um, I'll go with that.
[1:07] If I did it wrong, I did it wrong and I'm very sorry to the public. Um, but
[1:13] yeah, because I do know that we had to do that last time. Now, let me get
[1:20] PC thing popped up.
[1:25] members. Now
[1:30] we will be looking at two MPC items.
[1:36] Um yes. So I'm going to call them. Okay.
[1:41] Done. Adoption of the Janet. Okay. Need a motion to adopt the agenda.
[1:47] » I'll make a motion to adopt agenda. >> All in favor?
[1:52] Okay. Development planning matters. Okay. So, I am
[1:57] okay. I need my two screens. Okay. So, the first one up.
[2:07] Okay. First one on the agenda is uh village of empress is doing there has
[2:14] been a complaint put in and um premises include a structure which
[2:20] extends beyond the rear parcel of that line that impedes traffic in the public
[2:24] lane parcel. Now I see that the name of the complaintant is actually on the
[2:30] board. You're going to have to recuse yourself, right?
[2:35] » I don't have to leave. I just can't vote on that.
[2:37] » You just can't vote on it. You just say you're recusing yourself from voting.
[2:42] » Excuse myself from voting. >> Okay, perfect. Okay. Okay. Now
[2:49] look at this and
[2:54] I need >> Oh, yeah. Okay. Sorry, I got the lawyer
[2:58] on the other Sorry, I got the other one on the other page.
[3:03] Okay, let's put this thing so that I I'm trying to do it in order. I'm sorry,
[3:07] guys. We are just It's a mess. So, let's open another phone.
[3:16] Okay, hold on. Let me open it up twice. Let's
[3:21] do it this way then. Yes, I wanted a paper and I didn't think
[3:26] we get a paper. So, we're going to go with this. Okay,
[3:31] there's the picture.
[3:35] » Yes. >> Okay.
[3:36] » Okay. And there's another one. >> If I had downloaded them, I could have
[3:41] turned them around, but >> Yes.
[3:43] » So, you can see the alley >> and the whole bit.
[3:46] » Oh, this is the alley right here. >> Yes.
[3:48] » Yeah. >> Shed sits right in the
[3:51] » If there was another property on the other side, you'd probably be
[3:56] encroaching just driving around the shed.
[3:59] regardless how long it's been there. Probably not make it around the third,
[4:03] too. >> Yeah. Okay. So, I just want to follow
[4:06] process. Okay. So, we introduce a matter being
[4:11] heard. Move into the thing um reports
[4:16] administration reports and questions from the board. We don't have anything
[4:20] there. So, now applicant thing. So the applicant is invited to present their
[4:26] application >> and he is not here.
[4:30] » Okay. So let me just second. So if he's not here. Yeah, I know.
[4:34] » No, I know. >> I'm trying to follow the format. Sorry.
[4:38] » I wish we weren't Oh, well recording this because this makes it even worse.
[4:42] Okay, so at this time they make their app make their stuff. Um like to respond
[4:48] if no clarifications. I don't have any clarification questions because I can't
[4:53] ask him. Um, okay. So, example. So, now we have to hear from the other side.
[5:00] » Hang on. Mike, I think something >> for foreign male side.
[5:05] » Yeah. Okay. So, I just spoke to him. I wanted to speak
[5:09] to him before council word of mouth.
[5:12] » Yes. Not word of mouth. Well, face to face. Anyways, I talked to Neil. He said
[5:17] he doesn't have any issue taking it down. He just doesn't want to be pushed
[5:22] to take it down in the next 30 days or 60 days.
[5:26] » So, he'd like some time.
[5:31] » How much time would he need time frame? >> Yeah.
[5:34] » I don't know. Say three months cuz I'm going to be the one taking it down by
[5:38] the way. >> So, how much time do you need?
[5:41] » Uses it for anything. >> No, he's got two bikes in there and some
[5:45] Yeah. >> useless wood. So anyways, he's in poor
[5:48] health. Um said he can't afford the fence for the
[5:53] back. So I'm going to take it down and put the fence up, whatever he needs for
[5:56] fence and move all his into his yard.
[5:59] » Yeah. >> Okay.
[6:01] » So you can say no variance or you can say variance with a time limit that
[6:07] would be acceptable to him >> on the other side.
[6:12] » Okay. Okay. That's good. We'll say that's that's it and presentation. Okay,
[6:16] now we're invited to date something from somebody else.
[6:20] » The only reason I'm here is because he's asking for a variant.
[6:23] » Okay. >> And I don't see that it's necessary.
[6:27] It's infringing on the back lane. We just had a big fire. I don't know that a
[6:33] fire truck and emergency vehicles could get down there. We've had in the past,
[6:38] Don's brother had a big fifth wheel and he comes through the back lane and he
[6:42] scored his tires and his rim trying to get by it and
[6:47] » you know a fire truck hasn't got the same ability. There's two big power
[6:51] poles on the other side so you can't even
[6:54] » Yeah. >> So I just don't see that a variance is
[6:57] needed >> that structure
[7:01] that would have been there from the previous owner.
[7:03] » Yes. >> That's been there forever. Yeah. Before
[7:06] we moved there. No. Well, maybe before we moved there, but
[7:10] » later John Mark made a shelter because he wanted to keep his wood dry. Move it
[7:14] into your yard. I don't see that there's a problem.
[7:19] » Yeah. Exactly. >> So that's why I don't see that a
[7:21] variance even need it. Why would we bend the rules for something we don't need?
[7:26] » Yeah. Exactly. >> I'm I'm fine if if and I know that Mike
[7:30] had talked to him before >> that he offered to clear it out for him.
[7:34] I thought that was more than fair. And then I see this request for a variance
[7:38] and I'm like, well, >> so the funny thing was the variance was
[7:43] suggested by Jerry. >> We'll just not worry about it then.
[7:48] » Yeah. So, >> excuse me.
[7:51] » So, I'm I'm
[7:55] I signed. >> Yeah. Well, because we had some concerns
[7:59] and there there's a whole bunch of stuff that's behind there. Not just a shed.
[8:03] There's a whole bunch of railroad ties. >> Yeah.
[8:05] » Quite frankly, I think I think his his shed with windows
[8:13] » Mhm. >> is right on the property.
[8:16] » It's very close to the property. >> Street on the south side, but not care
[8:21] about that. >> Don't care about But but um
[8:28] » it it does. It's way too far into the lane and it's
[8:31] » Yeah. And he's got a big yard. >> He does.
[8:33] » Put it inside. And I I don't know why it's it's out there. I guess it just
[8:40] never got moved, but there's no point in getting a variance. It's going to be
[8:43] tagged to the title. >> Y
[8:45] » and then he's going to sell it and then we're stuck with it. So just don't even
[8:49] do it. >> Yeah.
[8:51] » And he's fine with not having variance. I'm I'm good.
[8:55] » Okay. Well, this is an easy one then. Um, I know when I looked it over, um, my
[9:01] thoughts were I had to take my mayor hat off. My thoughts went to and no, sorry,
[9:07] pardon me, part of my mayor's hat was on because looking towards the future,
[9:12] we've run into issues like this before where we've had alleys blocked and we
[9:17] create a new alley. And if anybody knows me, they all know what I'm talking
[9:20] about. So, um, to me, in order to avoid this, I was willing to work with him and
[9:28] see, and I wish he wish he would been here to see if he was willing to, um,
[9:33] have some time to take it down and get in compliant.
[9:36] » Um, that's the way I was leaning. If uh, 3 months is fine, I am perfectly fine
[9:42] with that. >> Um, I don't think I have to go through
[9:45] all the rest because look, we've come to an agreement. So, I can make a motion.
[9:51] Okay, let's just check. Listen to this. Purpose blah blah blah bindings. Trying
[9:56] to make sure I do all this correctly. Okay. So, how about I just put a motion
[10:02] out on the table that we allow um Mr. Sutherland,
[10:08] let's see, today is June 18th. We can give them till what? September 30th.
[10:18] Is that enough time? September 30th. Yeah.
[10:20] » You think that'll work? >> Okay. We can give them to September 30th
[10:24] to become compliant with the
[10:30] » Yeah. >> No, pardon me.
[10:35] » Which means all the material >> then slide back has to be
[10:39] » Yes. >> By September.
[10:41] » And we are we are only concerned about the
[10:44] » Oh, no. Don't even add that to that. No. >> No.
[10:47] » Allow Mr. Southerntherland to become compliant with land use bylaw by
[10:51] September 30th by removal of the shed >> by removing of the shed.
[10:56] » Miscellaneous wood and stuff like that. He's got some
[10:59] bikes and he's got >> a cover.
[11:02] » It's a covered structure. >> Structure.
[11:04] » Structure. >> And debris.
[11:08] » Yes. And debris.
[11:12] » Debris. >> Okay. Remove
[11:20] and per this. Cool. >> Now you want to read that back to us.
[11:24] No. >> Did I just
[11:26] heard something? >> Okay. Allow him to become compliant with
[11:32] land use bylaw by September 30th by removing removal of the structure and
[11:37] debris. >> Well,
[11:40] that's debris. by removal of structure and debris which
[11:44] includes railway ties. >> Yeah.
[11:49] » To comply with >> to be in competitor.
[11:55] » Dave, did you have something to say? >> Yes.
[11:57] » Change the word to breed of materials. >> Material material.
[12:00] » Okay. >> Thank you.
[12:02] » And no extensions >> without extensions.
[12:06] » Cuz if something happens to Mike, guess what? We're going to have an extension.
[12:10] » Yeah. You really can't see the rest of the stuff with this picture, but
[12:14] » there's a pile of it there behind it. >> Big law, too.
[12:18] » You recused yourself. >> You changed.
[12:21] » And in all fairness to Neil, that isn't even his stuff.
[12:24] » You know, he inherited it. >> He inherited it. Yeah.
[12:27] » And I did talk to administration when John Mark put that up to jail. Now's a
[12:32] good time to remove it. >> So, now's the time to do it.
[12:36] » Now is the time to do it. >> Yeah.
[12:39] » We're trying. I mean, enforcement is going to be a pain, but we'll we're
[12:42] going to try and get by. >> So, I made that motion.
[12:46] » May I read it back? >> Sure.
[12:48] » Allow Mr. Is it Southerntherland or Sunland?
[12:51] » Sunderland. >> Good. Because I wrote Sunderland. Okay.
[12:54] » To become compliant with land use bylaw by removal of the structure and material
[12:59] without extensions by September 30th. >> You can even put that I volunteer to
[13:04] take it down, but it's on record. So, happy. Period.
[13:09] And that's back alley. No. >> Yeah. Do we I don't know. I mean, we
[13:14] could put it in there, but we don't. >> No. I think for the motion, that's all
[13:18] you would >> probably for the motion. That's probably
[13:20] all we need. Okay. All in favor? Carried.
[13:28] Awesome. Thank you. Okay. Next one up.
[13:36] » Oh. Uh okay. So,
[13:42] » okay. Next one up is a variance for a front yard retaining wall. Um
[13:51] they are asking for Let me see here. Premise isn't Oh, frick. Wrong one.
[14:00] Okay. Where is the other one? Well, I know I see the picture, but I'm
[14:05] I'm looking at the the words
[14:10] retaining wall.
[14:14] So, I'm just
[14:20] Did I go too fast? I don't know.
[14:25] Obviously, the retaining wall wasn't in here very well.
[14:30] Know about it. We're just going to go with this. Okay. So approvectionary.
[14:42] Okay. Varian for a front retaining wall. Uh purpose of this is to um give them
[14:48] background. Um I'm actually just going to request that the um
[14:55] » applicant >> applicant sorry applicant present the
[14:58] case. >> This is my house. Y
[15:01] » when I bought it, there was already a retaining wall in the front yard.
[15:05] » There's approximately 6 to 10 in between my retaining wall and the sidewalk
[15:10] » that does nothing but collect weeds and nastiness. That retaining wall is very
[15:17] thick and very old. It still has structural value. It's holding up my
[15:22] yard, but it is starting to degate certainly one side of it. And so rocks
[15:26] keep dripping off of the sidewalk. I would like to repair that wall without
[15:31] having to remove what's already there. It's it's good old concrete. They used
[15:36] to throw all kinds of metal and crap in there.
[15:39] » So, the structure is okay, but aesthetically it looks pretty crappy.
[15:43] So, if I was to put a new retaining wall face on it, I'm actually encroaching a
[15:48] few in over the property line between my wall and the sidewalk. It's not useful
[15:54] for anything else, and I would like to make it look better. So, I'm asking for
[15:58] permission to encroach those few inches to repair that wall without having to
[16:03] remove it entirely. >> Does that make sense?
[16:07] » It does. >> Okay.
[16:08] » It'll look like my wall. >> It will look like my wall.
[16:15] » So, yes. Okay. Any other people have anything to add to this? Does anybody
[16:20] want to look at the pictures? that everybody has seen Charlotte or I mean
[16:23] sorry >> curious how come that's so green and
[16:26] everything else is not >> I don't know she hasn't used enough
[16:29] water >> trip photography
[16:30] » that's
[16:35] yeah >> show that that was just a small little
[16:38] strip >> that's okay
[16:42] » yeah no >> does anybody want to say four do I four
[16:47] well no >> or you want to go again
[16:48] » make a comment >> normally
[16:52] Um, in Calgary, if the city's property line, say they have a 8ft easement, I
[16:58] can build whatever I want on it. >> Yeah.
[17:00] » But, um, if I have, if Calvary comes in and says, I have to
[17:06] go to this 8ft line and trench, whatever I have gets ripped up and it's my cost
[17:11] to repair it. >> Okay.
[17:14] Just something to think about. Yeah. Okay.
[17:18] Cool. There are no lines that go under that wall.
[17:22] » No, there is none. >> Your water is through the driveway. That
[17:26] which I do know. >> So, um, does anybody else have anything
[17:31] to say for and against?
[17:38] » Exactly. Um I do know that um report back was not it was not um a hinder
[17:46] nint. Um I just wished I could find the rest
[17:51] of this. It must not have downloaded everything. Go to the email. I actually
[17:56] don't have a problem with this. Really? I don't. I mean I have a rock wall too.
[18:01] So >> I have no problem.
[18:03] » Whatever is done there will improve the look of the whole thing.
[18:06] » It will. >> Yeah.
[18:07] » I mean it will. Um, I do know mine is very close to that line, too. So, and
[18:14] it's not it's not going to affect the sidewalk, not trees. The boulevard is
[18:20] still another, you know, 6 ft. >> He's just trying to he's trying to fix
[18:23] it, make it look better. There's nothing wrong with that.
[18:25] » Yeah. I mean, it's failing. Um, so, you know, that's approximately
[18:32] Okay. How old am I? This is approximately worth um almost 50 years
[18:35] of cement that it's been there. Explain because I used to babysit in that house.
[18:40] It's been there for >> Could be more. I'm just saying how I'm
[18:44] just pretending I'm younger than I am. It's been 50 years. Okay, we'll go with
[18:48] that. >> Was built in 1918.
[18:50] » Yeah. So, >> wow.
[18:51] » Yeah. >> Yeah. So, needless to say, it uh needs
[18:57] to be No, I'm perfectly fine with it. >> Yeah, I'm good with this.
[19:00] » Okay. So, we need a motion to approve this. If there is no other conversation
[19:05] » I'll make a motion we have accept this >> he can't on this one.
[19:13] Yeah. So Leo made a motion to approve the variance I think is the correct
[19:20] terminology right? >> Yes it I guess.
[19:23] » Yeah you know exactly.
[19:27] » Yeah 6 to 10 inches. All in favor carried.
[19:33] Okay, that is the end of this meeting. We are adjourned at 10:20. Holy crap.
[19:41] Nicely done.