ECA Review 2022-09-22

ECA REVIEW HANNA/CORONATION/STETTLER, AB September 22'22 5
BASHAW COUNCIL
Council not sure how to handle loud noise complaints
Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
ECA Review
Bashaw town council will reexamine
their land use bylaw (LUB) after
a resident complained about a noisy
business. The issue was discussed at
the Sept. 14 regular meeting of council.
Town Chief Administrative Officer
(CAO) Theresa Fuller provided councillors
with a letter of complaint from
resident N.D. Bamber dated Aug. 26. In
the letter Bamber stated, “Our home...
is 550 feet from the noise source. There
is the railway property, a row of trees
and shrubs, house and garages
blocking the noise. Even so on our deck
the sound level is peaking at 91.6 decibels
(Db) during unloading. The level
in the middle of Railway Ave. is at 93.4
Db.
Occupational Health & Safety (OHS)
limit for continual exposure is 85 Db
without hearing protection,” stated
Bamber.
Bamber stated he’s complained more
than once about this business’ noise
and added his research suggests the
Town of Bashaw doesn’t have the
proper bylaws in place to address
industrial-level noise that’s this close
to homes.
Fuller noted in her report the business
in question complies with the
public disturbance bylaw.
“Benchmark Commodities has been
operational for several years,” stated
Fuller’s report, noting the business
previously used sledge hammers and
now uses a skid steer vehicle.
“Several residents have placed complaints,
the area bylaw officer has
addressed them. However, based on
the Public Disturbance Bylaw 767-2015
they look at the operational hours and
compare them to quiet hours from the
bylaw (10 p.m. to 7 a.m.) and
Benchmark is compliant.”
Fuller then noted the general prohibition
part of the bylaw prohibits
“unreasonably loud” noise which “...
annoys, disturbs” residents, but added
a further section of the bylaw for
industrial purposes seems to contradict
the earlier section “...by providing
permission to industrial operations as
approved within the LUB.”
Fuller stated she’s been in regular
contact with Benchmark Commodities
which notified her they should be completed
their noisy work by the end of
August. To middle of September however,
as of the meeting, it seemed that
work was ongoing.
“Possible solutions (include) reduce
timeframes for operations or require
installation of sound barriers in order
to continue their processing operations,”
she added in her report.
Benchmark Commodities, according
to their website, is a commercial transport
business headquartered in
Ponoka, Alta. but with a rail operation
in Bashaw.
Fuller suggested changing the
public disturbance bylaw to better
mesh with the LUB’s rules about noise.
“In the interim it may be advisable
to add additional features to our public
disturbances bylaw,” she stated.
“Examples could be reference to the
LUB regarding objectionable conditions
and conditions around noise
volume or compliance with other legislation,”
added her report.
When asked if the business owner
had any suggestions, Fuller responded
the business stated they are
approaching the end of the noisy work
with the general manager estimating
the end of September for a target date.
When asked what other avenues the
town has to solve the problem if
mitigation doesn’t work, Fuller
answered there are enforcement
options including a stop order and the
CAO noted stop orders involve the
court system.
Coun. Kyle McIntosh noted he was
in the area when the work was going
on. “It’s loud,” said McIntosh.
Coun. Bryan Gust stated he was in
favour of revising the disturbances
bylaw to address issues like this one.
Fuller responded that some parts of
the disturbances bylaw could be
removed and the town could rely
entirely on the LUB rules on industrial
noise but also noted Db levels
didn’t need to be included because provincial
law covers those issues.
Mayor Rob McDonald stated industrial
operators should have less impact
on their neighbours but also realized
the town needed to work with their
industrial residents too.
Councillors unanimously passed a
resolution that town staff revise the
Coronation Royal Performing Arts
Coronation Community Centre
Ennis Sisters
Sassy but sweet sibling trio from Newfoundland
Friday, November 4, 2022
Jenn Beaupré with Lewis Frere
Canadian Idol alumnus, think Bette Midler meets Norah Jones
Saturday, November 26, 2022
Ryan Lindsay
Raised just to the north of us, strong country roots
Saturday, January 14, 2023
Ken Lavigne
Thoroughly enjoy his stunningly trained vocal instruments
Friday, February 3, 2023
Maddie Storvold followed by
The Misery Mountain Boys
A Double Header: Maddie is a self proclaimed lovechild
of a folksinger & comedian. The boys combine wit,
humour, nostalgia and playfulness.
Saturday, March 11, 2023
public disturbances bylaw and bring it
back to a future meeting.
Mark Your Calendars
HAND HILLS
Turkey
Supper
Sunday, Oct. 23
More information on
FACEBOOK OR WEBSITE
www.Handhills.ab.ca
Tickets: L&C Bookkeeping
403-578-3838 cororoyal@gmailcom
e-transfer, cash or cheque
Supper 6:00 pm
Performance 7:30 pm
All performances are
$35/adult; $20/student
Meal Tickets $25/ person
Ticket package 5 performances
for $125 (savings of $75)
Coronation Royal
Performing Arts will be
GIVING AWAY
1 set of season seat tickets and
1 set of season meals October 1
to a couple of lucky purchasers of
2022-23 season seat packages
Showing the communities respect to the passing of Her
Majesty Queen Elizabeth II following her 70 year reign, the
longest reign of any of Royal family, the Town of Coronation,
Alberta, Canada, named after the coronation of King George V,
lite up their landmark water tower with the royal colours.
ECA Review/FB
Insurance
Claims
Welcome
Hail Damage?
Wind Damage?
Water Damage?
RV
Storage
• Have your repairs completed this
winter and be ready to go in the spring!
• Repairs to All Makes & Models
• Motorhomes • 5th Wheels • Travel Trailers • Stock Trailers
• Flatdecks • Enclosed Trailers • Living Quarter Trailers
Call to book your spot today!
RV Parts & Accessories
403 742 5667 • generationsrv@gmail.com
Call and book your spot today!!