COLD LAKE - In an effort to address public safety concerns, the City of Cold Lake is working with a private landowner to clear a wooded area on commercial land. This area, located at the southeast corner of Highway 28 and 61 Avenue, has become a site of concern due to encampments and related fires.
"The lots of land are privately held property that is zoned for commercial use, along with a City of Cold Lake road right of way. The underbrush and the area’s close proximity to a residential neighbourhood has led to the decision to remove the trees," according to information from the City of Cold Lake.
The encampments pose a risk to both those living in the wooded area and also to people in the surrounding community. The City and owner have come to an agreement to clear the hazard entirely.
When asked about the decision to clear the area, City of Cold Lake Mayor Craig Copeland said, “It’s from a safety standpoint and also to not have places where the homeless can be living in the bush there; that's the reason behind taking the trees down."
The work to remove the brush and trees has already started, and a buffer of approximately three meters will be left after the clearing is complete. This buffer is essential to controlling the risk of future fires. Cold Lake Fire-Rescue has been actively responding to fires on both public and private property in the area.
The City has also been notifying landowners where encampments and fires have been found to ensure that everyone is aware of the risks and potential consequences.
The potential liability that property owners face in the event of fires can be damaging, according to the municipality. Fires originating on the land can lead to substantial property damage and associated costs. Furthermore, the risk of fires spreading to adjacent properties or damaging nearby structures increases this liability.
Copeland emphasized the City's commitment to providing essential resources and shelter services to those in need, such as supports available through the John Howard Society. No matter their origins, those facing difficult circumstances can access vital support.
He explained, “The shelter does a really good job at identifying who is living - as they call it - vulnerable. There are over 100... people right now that have been identified this year; last year was in the fifties. This year, it jumped to 110. Seventy per cent of the people are [from within a] 30-minute radius of Cold Lake, and the other 30 per cent are coming in from all over, primarily Saskatchewan.”
While the property in question is not currently undergoing development, the area is zoned for commercial use. This means that as the community grows and evolves, the landowner will have the opportunity to invest in and develop the land, according to the City.
Clearing the area of brush and trees is a necessary step to prepare it for potential future development.
