TOWN OF LACOMBE
BYLAW 263.1

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. Amend Section 4.2. Key Design Features by adding a new clause 4.2.2 that reads as follows:

"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 South East Area Structure Plan 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.  In this plan "Natural Spaces" shall mean the lands inventoried, evaluated, and categorized by the Natural Spaces Management Plan and identified on Map 4 and that consists 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. Section 5.1 Land Use Concept, clause 5.1.1 is amended by deleting the words following (3) and substituting with the following words:

the conservation of the Southeast Aspen Stand, as identified in Appendix A of the "Natural Spaces Management Plan", which consists of the wet meadow and upland forest ecosystems and the creation of a "green" corridor that enhances interconnectivity of natural spaces within the Wolf Creek system,

3. Amend clause 5.1.4 by deleting the following words:

   Potentially, a pond/wetland feature may be created to add to the diversity of the park.

   and substitute with the following:

   The wet meadow area should be maintained in its' present form, but may be utilized for stormwater management, however the biodiversity shall not be negatively affected.  Potentially, this natural area and the stormwater pond/wetland feature may benefit from a stewardship program so that future area residents understand the unique features of a wet meadow ecosystem and how it functions to filter water and add to the diversity of wildlife.

4. Section 6.7 Wolf Creek Floodway and Flood Fringe, clause 6.7.5 is amended by inserting after the first sentence the following words: 

   Where possible, consideration be given to providing natural vegetation landscaping along this open space system to provide for wildlife corridors.

5. Section 6.8 Open Space and Linkages, clause 6.8.6 is amended by inserting after the first sentence the following words: 
   
   The existing forest area is interspersed with wet meadows and may be utilized as part of an overall natural stormwater management system.  Consideration shall be given to maintaining hydrology levels and conservation of the sedges and willows if used as a stormwater pond.

6. Substitute the revised Map 4, which is attached and labeled Attachment 'A' and shall form part of this Bylaw.

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

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

GIVEN SECOND READING this 22nd day of April, A.D. 2002.