TOWN OF LACOMBE
BYLAW 63.14

WHEREAS notice of intention of Council to pass this Bylaw has been published in the Lacombe Globe on April 9, 2002 and April 16, 2002; and

WHEREAS a Public Hearing was held on Monday, April 22, 2002 to allow the general public to provide input into the proposed amendments to the Plan;

NOW THEREFORE the Municipal Council of the Town of Lacombe, in the Province of Alberta, under the authority and pursuant to the provisions of the Municipal Government Act, R.S.A. 2000, c. M-26, enacts as follows:

1. Within the INTERPRETATION division add a new Section 5:

5.  In this plan "Natural Spaces" shall mean the lands inventoried, evaluated, and categorized by the Natural Spaces Management Plan and identified on Map 1 and that consist of the following classifications: 

a)  "Rank 2 lands" are defined as natural sites that have the potential to remain sustainable within the urban environment and are significant to the community because of their size or features and are considered to have:

(i) low to moderate species and habitat diversity consisting of common species but low to moderate probability of rare species within the habitat, and

(ii) low to moderate connectivity to ecosystems across the landscape and function as a linkage between other significant natural areas the site, and

(iii) some ecosystem fragmentation and low to moderate potential for natural sustainability, and

(iv) can withstand various degrees of human use and disturbance.

b)  "Rank 3 lands" are defined as natural sites that are undisturbed or relatively undisturbed sites with natural features being of value to society and have ecosystems worth protecting as these areas have a high potential to remain sustainable within the urban environment and are significant to the community because of their size or features and are considered to have:

(i) high species and habitat diversity consisting of common species but a high probability of rare species within the habitat, and

(ii) high connectivity to ecosystems across the landscape and the habitat provides for all or significant components of life cycle stages and functions as a major destination linkage between other significant natural areas, and

(iii) no ecosystem fragmentation and high potential for natural sustainability, and

(iv) due to the environmentally sensitive features are susceptible to further disturbance.

c)  Any words or expressions used in the above descriptions to have the meanings assigned to them as listed in Table 2.1 of the Natural Spaces Management Plan. 

2. Within the 32 STREETS AND ROADS division delete clause 32.4 h) and add the following:

h) The Town may consider closing Maple Drive from College Avenue to Rosedale Avenue.

i) The Town may consider the extension of 63rd Avenue west from C. & E. Trail across Elizabeth Lake to 58th Street, but as these lands contain sensitive ecosystems and as such have been identified as Rank 3, an Environmental Impact Assessment shall be completed prior to any approvals being granted.

3. Within the 61 LAND USE PLANNING division where clause 1. General Planning refers to Map 1, is to be replaced with a new Map1, which deletes the words "Areas where Section 66.6 Apply" in the legend and substitutes the words "Natural Spaces" in the legend and shows the lands affected by the Natural Spaces Management Plan.

4. Within the 66 LAND DEVELOPMENT division delete clause 6 and 6.1 and substitute the following:

6. The Town of Lacombe recognizes the importance of the natural environment for maintaining a high quality of life, and will emphasize that integration and preservation of the natural ecosystems identified in the Natural Spaces Management Plan are to be incorporated into the land use planning process by ensuring that any proposal for the subdivision and/or development of Rank 2 or Rank 3 lands seeks to implement the vision and recommendations of the Natural Spaces Management Plan.  The Town will require developers to:   

a)      conserve the identified and diverse habitat ecosystems, shown in Appendix A – Ecological and Development Profile Sheets, of the Natural Spaces Management Plan, which may include upland forests and grasslands, wetlands and wet meadows; and 

b)      provide contiguous wildlife corridors or enhance existing linkages, as identified in the Natural Spaces Management Plan to assist in the sustainability of all the identified natural spaces and improve their inter-connectivity on the landscape; and

c)      provide the maximum amount of environmental reserve and the dedication of municipal reserve to the fullest extent possible; and

d)      provide for public access to the shores of streams, lakes and other permanent bodies of water;  

in the areas designated on Map 1. 

6.1 The Town will require developers to retain in their natural state, lands identified as Rank 3 in the Natural Spaces Management Plan and encourage the conservation of lands identified as Rank 2, that otherwise have local significance and as such may be incorporated into the development scheme or outline plan as a recreation or natural amenity area or may be utilized as a natural or modified storm water pond.

5. Within the 70 RECREATION division delete clauses 2.1 and 2.2 in their entirety.

6. Amend clause 9. in the above division by deleting the words "Wolf Creek Regional Division" 

and replacing them with the following words:

"Wolf Creek School Division No. 72".

7. Amend clause 10 in the above division by deleting the words: "Council will require that all new Municipal Reserves meet the following standards:" 
   
   and replacing them with the following words:

"Council will require that all new Municipal Reserves that are to be developed for either decorative parks, playground or sport field recreational uses, meet the following standards:"

8. Substitute a revised Map 1, which is attached and labeled Attachment 'A' and shall form part of this Bylaw.

9. Substitute a revised Map 2, which is attached and labeled Attachment ‘B’ and shall form part of this Bylaw.

10. This Bylaw shall come into effect upon final passage thereof.

INTRODUCED AND GIVEN FIRST READING this 25th day of March, 2002.