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Stettler plans flood protection in town development strategy

After spring flooding devastated parts of southern Alberta, policies to protect property have been recommended for the Town of Stettler’s

After spring flooding devastated parts of southern Alberta, policies to protect property have been recommended for the Town of Stettler’s updated municipal development plan.

At its regular meeting last week, town council gave first reading to the bylaw to update the MDP, as staff plans to adopt the bylaw before the municipal election in mid-October.

“Only two significant amendments to the MDP have been made,” Dave Dittrick of Zap Consulting told council.

“The policy respecting development within the floodway/flood fringe has been reinstated.

“Under the new plan, the environmental policy will reinstate that the town will not permit development in areas prone to flooding.

“Permanent structures will not be allowed in a 1:100-year flood plain of the Red Willow Creek.

“Permanent structures will be allowed in the flood fringe of the creek, subject to appropriate flood-proofing certified by a professional engineer.”

The town’s director of operations, Melissa Robbins, told council that a flood map is being developed in partnership with the County of Stettler. As well, the transportation map has been revised to shift the trucking and dangerous goods route from 46 Street to the newly-aligned section of Highway 56.

“Since last summer, (the town) administration has undertaken community consultation and prepared the final amendments to the municipal development plan,” Dittrick said.

Just one Stettler resident attended an open house last October.

After a public hearing, the updated MDP is scheduled to be presented to the current council.