There was plenty of discussion as the RM of Keys held its open forum ratepayer meeting 聽on April 16 at the Ukrainian Catholic Hall in Canora with approximately 100 area residents in attendance.
Garth Bates, reeve, welcomed attendees, and led the meeting, along with Barry Hvidston, administrator.
The major topic of concern for most in attendance was the recent proposal for a communal dwelling for a Hutterite Colony and a small intensive livestock operation (ILO) of 1800 animal units near Stenen. The proposal is for the majority of those animal units to be birds, along with approximately 20 to 40 cattle.
Hvidston indicated that the meeting was 小蓝视频 held to hear the concerns of ratepayers, and would not include votes on any bylaw changes.
He said the proposal from the Hutterite Colony was initially received on February 13. Since then, council has been following recommended steps and procedures for this type of situation where a bylaw change is proposed. The bylaw change is strictly in respect to allowing the Crystal Lake Hutterian Brethren to establish a colony in the RM of Keys.
The zoning bylaw of the RM deals with certain specific aspects of the ILO, but the Saskatchewan Agriculture livestock branch has jurisdiction over the majority of the project. The Saskatchewan Water Security Agency has jurisdiction over aquifers, wells and other water issues, while Saskatchewan Environment has jurisdiction in some other aspects, said Hvidston.
He said informational letters regarding the Hutterite proposal went out to residents within the immediate vicinity of the proposed ILO.
But there was debate over whether the letters went to all those who should have received them, and some felt they had unfairly been excluded from the early part of the process as a result.
The proposed change passed a first reading on March 8, and then a public meeting was held on April 12 at the RM of Keys office in Canora, attended by approximately 40 to 50 concerned ratepayers, who expressed their concerns with the proposal. Bates said those concerns were debated by council shortly after the meeting, and the change passed second reading.
A number of ratepayers expressed disappointment that they weren鈥檛 given more time to research and express their concerns between the public meeting and the second reading. Many indicated they believed that not enough information has been shared with ratepayers.
But the ratepayers meeting provided an opportunity for those concerned to make their feelings known. Bates told those at the meeting that third and final reading of the proposal was still a minimum of several weeks away, and that their concerns would be heard and taken seriously.
Several ratepayers said they were worried that the proposed ILO would have a long-term negative effect on water quality in the area, including the aquifer near Stenen.
Bates referred to a study paid for by the Hutterite Colony that seemed to indicate that water quality would not be adversely affected, but numerous ratepayers indicated they were unwilling to accept the study鈥檚 conclusions.
Hvidston and Bates indicated that a public informational session is tentatively scheduled for May 3, with representatives of groups such as Saskatchewan Agriculture and the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency present to answer further questions. Outstanding items on the agenda include third reading of the bylaw change (for or against) and ILO discretionary use (for or against).
A number of questions were voiced regarding gaining access to information in the study paid for by the Hutterites before the next meeting. Hvidston and Bates indicated that council will respond to these questions.
They stated that the first council meeting in May is scheduled for May 10, which would be the earliest date for the third and final reading of the proposed bylaw change.
