Here are some highlights from the June 3, 2025, Town Council meeting. This is not an official record of the meeting. For more information – including the full agenda listing – you can read the Regular Council Meeting Agenda and its attachments.
Coalhurst Council Approves New Procedure Bylaw
Coalhurst Town Council has approved a new Procedure Bylaw that allows residents to participate in public hearings electronically, following recent changes to provincial legislation. At its June 3 meeting, Council passed Procedure Bylaw No. 465-25, which complies with updates to the Municipal Government Act under Bill 20 and Bill 50.
Bill 20 mandates that municipalities provide for electronic participation in public hearings. The new bylaw enables members of the public to attend and make submissions at public hearings via Zoom, offering greater accessibility and transparency. The bylaw also outlines how the public can access meetings, submit input, and receive notices. Public hearing details, including how to attend virtually, are advertised in advance of each hearing. While no budget impacts are expected, the Town may explore technology upgrades to enhance future virtual participation.
Since the bylaw’s first reading on May 20, it was further amended to remove outdated code of conduct provisions in response to the recently passed Bill 50. These changes ensure Coalhurst’s governance remains compliant and responsive to evolving legislation.
Coalhurst Council Passes Updated Off-Site Levy Bylaw to Support Growth
A new Off-Site Levy Bylaw aimed at supporting community growth while reducing the financial burden on local taxpayers has been approved by Coalhurst Town Council.
On June 3, Council adopted Off-Site Levy Bylaw No. 463-25, replacing the 2013 version to better reflect today’s infrastructure costs, inflation, and development demands. The bylaw ensures that developers, not residents, shoulder more of the costs tied to new growth.
Off-site levies are fees charged to developers to help pay for infrastructure needed to support new developments — such as water, sewer, roads, and recreation or emergency services facilities. Unlike the previous one-size-fits-all approach, the new bylaw calculates levies based on six defined development areas, taking into account the unique infrastructure needs and costs of each.
With over $30 million in infrastructure upgrades estimated for full community build-out, this modernized approach ensures the Town can continue to grow sustainably and responsibly. The new bylaw will generate more accurate and fair funding for capital projects, helping Coalhurst maintain high service standards while protecting taxpayers from shouldering these costs directly.
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