Community Standards Bylaw

On June 29^th, 2022, the Town of Drayton Valley Council passed Community Standards Bylaw 2022-06-P. The Community Standards Bylaw consolidates public behaviour and enforceable property matters into one bylaw and makes it easier for the public and administration to read and interpret the bylaws.

High-Level Overview of the Changes

A high-level overview of the changes that are in the new Community Standards Bylaw 2022-06-P, are as follows:

• Brought six bylaws into one consolidated bylaw making it easier for the public and administration to find information they may be looking for
• Went from a total of 71 pages in the six bylaws to 25 pages in the one bylaw
• Reviewed fine amounts
• Ability for permits to be issued for anything under the bylaw
• Removal of unnecessary definitions
• Amending and clarifying definitions
• Removing a “third offence” – anything after a second offence within a year may result in an automatic summons to court
• Removing the requirement that there needs to be a conviction of an offence before allowing the issuance of a second subsequence offence violation
• Modernizing language in the bylaw

History

On December 8, 2021, Town Administration presented to Council regarding unsightly properties. During that presentation, administration committed to reviewing the current Community Standards Bylaw 2015/08/P (now rescinded).

Administration conducted a review of the Community Standards Bylaw, and it was determined a full review of the bylaw was necessary to update and improve the legislation and to make it more efficient and user friendly for the public and for enforcement services. A review of the bylaw allowed for modernization and consolidation of numerous bylaws into one, consolidated Community Standards Bylaw.

In completing a review, the following bylaws were considered:

• Community Standards Bylaw 2015/08/P
• False Alarms Bylaw 2015/09/9
• Firearms Control Bylaw 92-20
• Noise Bylaw 2013/16/P
• Parks and Public Facilities Bylaw 2014/14/E
• Temporary Shelter Bylaw 2019/06/P

On May 25, 2022, at the regular Council meeting, the proposed bylaw was presented to Council, and it received first reading, unanimously.

On June 29, 2022, at the regular Council meeting, the proposed bylaw was presented to Council for second and third reading. After a couple minor adjustments, Community Standards Bylaw 2022-06-P, received final reading and was passed into law.

With the Community Standards Bylaw 2022-06-P coming into effect, the previous Community Standards Bylaw, False Alarms Bylaw, Firearm control Bylaw, Noise Bylaw, Parks and Public Facilities Bylaw, and Temporary Shelter Bylaw have been rescinded and are no longer in effect.

Community Engagement

When completing the review of the bylaws, administration was able to solicit feedback from the community on changes they would like.

Administration presented to Council on June 8, 2022, at the Governance and Priorities Committee Meeting on the steps being taken to engage the public on the proposed Community Standards Bylaw.

The proposed Community Standards Bylaw was advertised to the community for feedback, the following ways:

• On Drayton Valley’s website
• On Drayton Valley’s electronic signs
• On Drayton Valleys corporate social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram)
• On Enforcement Services Facebook social media account
• In the Drayton Valley and District Free Press Newspaper
• On the Big West Country 92.9 FM Radio Station
• By providing posters/information at town facilities
• By providing posters/information at the Seniors Club of Drayton Valley
• By providing the proposed bylaw to the Community Safety Committee, which is comprised of members of Council, RCMP, Alberta Health Services, Fire Services, and Occupational Health and Safety.

In addition, Administration held an “open house” public engagement event on June 15, 2022, from 4pm-7pm at the MacKenzie Conference Centre. There were a total of 21 people that attended the event to ask questions and provide feedback or insights as to what they believe should or should not be included in the new bylaw.

Additional Information

Analytics from both the Drayton Valley and Enforcement Services social media accounts show that a total of 23 poster pertaining to the open house or seeking feedback about the new bylaw were sent out. These social media posts reached 6283 people and resulted in a total of 48 responses from the posts.

• Community Standards Bylaw 2022-06-P
• Open House Feedback
• FAQ: Property Maintenance (Forthcoming)
• FAQ: Vehicles and Trailers (Forthcoming)
• FAQ: Public Behaviour (Forthcoming)
• FAQ: Overnight Shelter (Forthcoming)
• FAQ: Noise (Forthcoming)
• FAQ: Parkland (Forthcoming)
• FAQ: False Alarms (Forthcoming)
• FAQ: Permits (Forthcoming)