Birch Hills County

Birch Hills County is located in the Central Peace Region, bordered by the Peace River to the north and the Smoky River to the east. Located within the County are the hamlets of Eaglesham, Peoria, Tangent, Wanham and Watino. Oil and Gas provide the largest sector of employment in the county.

NEWS:

PROTECTING PROPERTY VALUES

The Governance Committee of Council has reviewed a draft of an Unsightly Premises Bylaw and asked that public input be obtained before the draft bylaw is given first reading.

Unsightly Premises Bylaw Handout

The purpose of an Unsightly Premises Bylaw is set by Sections 546 to 556 of the Municipal Government Act. The Municipal Government Act allows the bylaw to apply to nuisances in two areas:

where a situation is dangerous to public safety or property.
where a situation is detrimental to the surrounding area, including causing a decline in property values.

The draft bylaw covers the following areas, and the complete list is in Section 2.01.i of the draft bylaw:

maintaining grass and vegetation.
not permitting deteriorated or damaged structures.
not permitting excessive dust, smoke, steam, etc.
preventing accumulation of dilapidated vehicles or garbage.
not permitting excavations or material storage that may be dangerous to the public.
not permitting conditions that attract rodents or insects.
maintenance of signage.

The bylaw also has provisions regarding who may make complaints, what is a valid complaint, the process for issuing an order, and the process and fee to appeal an order.

Council will review the draft Unsightly Premises Bylaw on Tuesday, February 14, 2012 and property owners and members of the public are asked to submit their comments in writing to Doug Plamping, Interim CAO at the County office, or send them by email to Doug Plamping (cao@birchhillscounty.com) prior to that date. All comments submitted will be presented to Council.

Those wishing to appear as a delegation to Council on the draft Unsightly Premises Bylaw are asked to make that request in writing to Doug Plamping, Interim CAO at the County office, or send the request by email to Doug Plamping (cao@birchhillscounty.com). Delegations on the draft Unsightly Premises Bylaw will be heard at 10:00am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at the County Office.

Notice of Leadership Change

County Council Meeting

Please be advised that the Birch Hills County Council will hold their next Regular Council Meeting the morning of Tuesday January 31, 2012 begining @ 9:00 with the Governance Committee immediately following in the Council Chambers at the Birch Hills County Office.

Snow Removal Notice

The winter snow season is here. Birch Hills County endeavors to ensure that all roadways are maintained and kept accessible to all residents throughout the year. Roadways are cleared on a priority basis, according to the Gravel Road Maintenance Policy #32. Priority is given to school bus routes and market roads, medical emergencies and then Hamlets.

Birch Hills County asks for your help in our effort to clear snow safely and efficiently this winter season that all vehicles abandoned and/or stored on the public right-of-way be removed – this includes boats, campers, trailers, etc.

Predicting the amount of snowfall over the winter is a difficult thing to do. During periods of heavy snowfall or other extreme weather conditions, please have patience as maintenance crews work to get to your area as quickly as possible.

Paying Bills Online

Pay your bills with telephone or online banking...

ATB - Does not offer telephone banking
Scotia Bank
Credit Union
TD Canada Trust
CIBC