Pearl Lorentzen

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A small lot in Sandy Lake is no longer municipal reserve and will be sold to the adjacent land owner.

On June 25, the M.D. of Opportunity held a public hearing to remove a bylaw which designated 0.25 acres at 791 Pelican Road as municipal reserve. This was after a public hearing on that day.

This lot is on the corner of Pelican Road and Wolf Road. Pelican Road goes along the shore of Sandy Lake.

Terah Yellowknee owns the adjacent lot on Wolf Road. She had applied to purchase the 0.25 acres at market value to add it to her lot.

Her plan, she said, at the hearing is to clear the bush and beautify the community by planting maples and lilacs. This would give her a view of the lake, and give people driving by something to look at. The M.D. had already removed some underbrush for FireSmart.

How big is 0.25 acres? asked Councillor Darlene Jackson.

If it were square it would be 25 by 25 metres, said Councillor Roy Yellowknee.

The plot isn’t square. It is narrow, with angles on two ends.

It’s not big enough to build anything, said Councillor Tahirih Wiebe.

A neighbouring couple had sent in a letter opposing the removal of the bylaw.

Kurc and Shannon Vance signed their letter as “residents of St. Albert, Athabasca, and the Hamlet of Sandy Lake.”

The letter says, “We understand that the purpose of municipal reserve land is to safeguard natural areas for the future needs of the community. This specific parcel could be crucial for widening the existing shoreline road should water levels rise again. It seems to us that the municipal reserve should be maintained to accommodate infrastructure that benefits the entire community.”

The other consideration was environmental, having to do with riparian areas, which are the section of land on the edge of a water body.

The letter calls the area a riparian area and says, “this particular land plays a vital role in regulating water quality, managing floodwater, stabilizing shorelines, and providing essential habitats for local plants and animals. Healthy riparian areas are undeniably important for municipalities as they protect water supply, prevent erosion, and safeguard infrastructure, property, and people from floods. Unfortunately, development across Alberta is putting these sensitive areas at risk.”

Councillor Jackson didn’t think the lot was in the riparian area, saying that there was a road between the property and the lake. The area on the other side of the road is the riparian area.

The letter also mentioned M.D. infrastructure development on the piece of M.D. municipal reserve across the road. The M.D. built a lift station for the water and sewer along Pelican Road. This included clearing a few trees and building a fence.

This is the type of infrastructure that the land could be used for, argued the letter.

Council closed the hearing.

“This is a very small piece of land,” said Jackson starting the discussion, after the hearing.

One possible use had been for a playground. Is there one close? she asked.

The closest one is at the campground, said Wiebe.

“She’s going to beautify the community,” said Jackson. “We need to encourage development.”

How much municipal reserve does the M.D. have in Sandy Lake? asked Jackson.

It is 15.99 acres, said Katelyn Alook, the staff member handling the matter.

“She’s trying to make it nicer,” said Councillor Cheri Courtorielle. “I don’t see an issue.”

“I don’t think you could even fit a city house on it,” said Councillor Gerald Johnson. “It would look good too.”

“All these years since I’ve been here and we’ve been talking about beautifying our communities,” said Councillor Leo Alook. “It’s only a small piece of land and nothing on the other side, but the shoreline.”

Councillor Roy Yellowknee agreed.

It would be nice to look at and see the lake too, he said, adding, “we can’t build anything on it anyway.”

“We don’t have a lot of lakeshore lots that are not owned,” said Wiebe. “I think it’s a good idea.”

Council passed a Johnson motion for second reading and an Alook motion for third.

Administration will let Terah Yellowknee know that the bylaw is repealed and will sell her the land for fair market value.

The sale only has to be advertised if it is sold under market value.