Cypress County creates subdivision, development appeal board

By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on January 17, 2026.

asmith@medicinehatnews.com

Cypress County moved to form a new subdivision and development appeal board Tuesday, following recent changes and the repeal of the Municipal Planning Commission bylaw.

Under the Municipal Government Act, there must be clear division between those who make subdivision and development decisions and who hears appeals of said decisions. With council now serving as the subdivision and development authority without members at large, Cypress County is now required a change to its appeal board.

Council discussed whether to create the board entirely of members at large from the public, or to have one member of council opt out of the subdivision authority to instead sit on the appeal board.

Coun. Dustin Vossler and Coun. Robin Kurpjuweit expressed concern about continuity between both authorities without a member of council on the appeal board.

CAO Al Hoggan also explained that while council members make up the authority, they do have a different role and powers while acting as the authority than they do during a regular council meeting. While sitting as the authority, says Hoggan, all members are bound by previously created policy and must act accordingly and cannot change or create policy until they meet as council again.

After discussion, council moved to form the appeal board of members of the public, with council members all sitting as the subdivision and development authority.

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