By KEVIN BERGER, Local Journalism Initiative
The RM of Corman Park is looking to replace its current noise bylaw with an updated version that slightly extends the hours of operation for gravel hauling along two roads within the northwest part of the municipality.
During their March 31 meeting, RM councillors passed first reading on Bylaw 09-26, which will replace Noise Bylaw 37/19 if passed.
Under the old bylaw, all activities associated with mineral resource extraction and storage must be limited to the hours between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays, and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays and statutory holidays.
The new bylaw allows for hauling to occur between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays along Township Road 391 from Range Road 3100 to Range Road 3085, and along Range Road 3085 from Township Road 391 to Highway 16.
It also includes a new definition of hauling to refer to the transportation of goods or materials by vehicle, but which does not include vehicles that are running empty.
As noted in an administration report, this change comes as the result of a recent meeting with a number of hauling companies and gravel pit owners in the northwest part of Corman Park.
That meeting, which was attended both by RM administration and councillors, was held to discuss a number of issues relating to gravel-hauling in the area.
Reeve Joe Hargrave said he had been at the meeting, and suggested this change to operating hours was one of the items where the RM is making concessions in order to get more co-operation from these companies on various issues.
“It was a good meeting. It was a start, not a finish,” he said, noting that more meetings need to be held.
Before second and third reading on this bylaw are passed, the RM will reach out to all ratepayers who would be impacted by this change to hauling hours and get their input.