Richard Froese
Independent reporter
An unusual-looking van will be in the Town of Stettler next week to visually document key sites and infrastructure.
“From Aug. 24 to 28, we are hoping to get our streets and alleys driven by a GPS video-data-collection van,” said Graham Scott, geographical information systems (GIS) coordinator/technician.
The video collection will be part of the town’s GIS project designed to inventory, map and eventually post online a comprehensive collection of the town’s property and utility information to assist in town administration, planning, economic development and bylaw enforcement.
Residents are urged to park their vehicles off-street in residential areas during this time, advises Scott, who is uncertain of any schedule of routes.
“This information will not be documented on a website so there will be no infringement of privacy for residents.”
On the streets, the van will video the town’s fire hydrants, manhole covers, curbs and sidewalks, said Scott.
Data such as a property zoning, assessment value and owner will then become available to administration at the click of a button.
Documented data will also help residents to retrieve information from the town office more quickly.
Culminating the collection process, the images will be combined with an aerial photo of the town, as well as a digital elevation map that will indicate the topographical contours of the landscape.
Information will also map the underground assets such as sanitary and storm sewer systems.
The van may complete the project in three days if the weather is suitable and will not be photographing in rainy weather.
For more information, phone Scott at 403-742-8305.