Council delays decision on truck route changes

Sparwood council delayed further consideration of a proposed traffic regulations bylaw after concerns over truck traffic, speeding and business impacts on Michel Creek Road prompted councillors to seek more public input.

At the June 2 regular meeting, council gave first reading to Traffic Regulations Bylaw 1356, 2026, then referred it back to staff for an informal public hearing before any further readings are considered.

The bylaw was brought forward by Director of Operations Darrell Kaisner as part of an effort to modernize the district’s traffic regulations, replacing portions of a 1987 bylaw and addressing issues identified through review, legal advice and enforcement experience.

Kaisner said the proposed bylaw included updated definitions, a consolidated permit framework, refined parking regulations, truck route rules based on axle count and gross vehicle weight and clarified enforcement provisions.

The section that drew the most discussion involved Michel Creek Road and a proposed restriction on trucks with three axles or more using a residential section of the road, with local deliveries and permitted access still allowed.

Councillor Steve Kallies said the change was not driven by district staff but was raised through previous council discussion.

“It wasn’t a push from this district disparage staff that we had debated here. You heard September 2025. So, we’ve been on the books discussing and waiting for it to come to this point since September,” said Kallies.

Kaisner said Sparwood currently has a weight restriction on all roads, with exceptions for deliveries, but the existing wording created enforcement challenges. He said bylaw enforcement officers could not stop vehicles to inspect or weigh them, as that falls outside municipal authority.

Legal review recommended adding a three-axle clause so bylaw officers could enforce the restriction through visual inspection.

“It was added because there was a number of complaints that came to the former mayor. The former mayor suggested that we review what could be done about truck traffic on Michel Creek Road,” said Kaisner.

Kallies said the intent was not to target local businesses operating near the corridor, but to address trucks using the road as a shortcut between Highway 3 and Highway 43.

“This isn’t about the businesses along there. They’re all great neighbours,” said Kallies. “We’re talking about trucks that are coming from Highway 3, cutting through and then heading up Highway 43 as a bit of a shortcut.”

Councillor Jason Christensen questioned whether there had been enough consultation with affected businesses before council moved ahead.

“We have not approached other than through word of mouth and received some of the emails. We have not done any consultation with our business taxpayers in this town on the effect of this change,” said Christensen.

Kaisner said staff had not been directed by council to consult further, adding council could refer the bylaw back to staff for more engagement with businesses and residents.

Councillor Sam Atwal said many resident concerns appeared to focus on speeding and enforcement, which would not be fully addressed by a no truck route.

Kaisner said the specific clause would not address speeding. He said data counters placed on Michel Creek Road last year found 75 per cent of traffic was exceeding the speed limit. The district has ordered permanent speed reader signs for the area and received notice that ICBC would provide funding support.

Kaisner said the district had also shared data with the RCMP and continued to work with Elk Valley Resources on traffic concerns near the Elkview gate.

Council amended the motion to give the bylaw first reading only. The amended motion passed, and council then directed staff to hold an informal public hearing.

Acting Mayor Amy Cardozo said she supported more discussion before council made a final decision.

“For me, at the end of the day, it’s about safety. I want safety for everyone,” said Cardozo.

Related amendment bylaws for fees and charges and bylaw enforcement notices were referred back to staff to align with the traffic bylaw direction.

During question period, resident Laura Cunliffe thanked council for listening to residents and asked whether more RCMP patrols, commercial vehicle enforcement, speed changes or road design improvements could help address concerns.

“There are no shoulders to walk on. Like where I’m at, to go onto the walking trails even, like I have to walk that road,” said Cunliffe.

George Klomack also asked whether the district knew which companies were using the road as a shortcut. Kaisner said district counters collect vehicle volume, time and speed data, but do not record visuals of vehicles.

The bylaw will return to council after the informal public hearing.