Lumsden Council Roundup: E-Scooter Rules, Development, Water and Library Updates
Lumsden Town Council met September 29, with e-scooters, development, water concerns, library service and changes to commercial parking among the issues discussed.
One of the larger discussions involved Lumsden’s proposed e-scooter bylaw, with members of the RCMP joining council to discuss safety and enforcement.
The proposed rules maintain a minimum riding age of 16 and would prohibit e-scooters from being operated on sidewalks and pathways in town. The RCMP told council that while officers can stop and speak with riders when problems arise, enforcement of strictly municipal bylaw violations would generally fall to Lumsden’s bylaw officer.
Council also discussed educating younger riders and parents, including potentially working with local schools, the RCMP and SGI.
Bylaw 2026-06 received second reading but did not proceed to third reading, meaning the e-scooter bylaw has not yet been finalized.
Development was another major topic.
Council gave first reading to Bylaw 2026-07, dealing with mixed-use development, signage and commercial parking. Under the proposed changes, commercial developments would provide parking plans based on the type and intensity of the proposed use rather than relying solely on predetermined parking requirements.
A combined public hearing on the Official Community Plan amendment and zoning amendment is proposed for October 27 at 7 p.m.
Council also received an update on the proposed Ralph Haryett development. The Town has asked that future planning take into consideration geotechnical conditions, road design, drainage and the possibility of a future expansion of Lumsden’s water treatment plant.
Water pressure and drainage concerns were also discussed, including flooding and drainage around 8th Avenue and Lake Street.
Council briefly explored another question that has apparently been raised by residents: whether Lumsden could someday provide softened municipal water.
Possible treatment options, including reverse osmosis, were discussed, but no project was approved. The conversation was preliminary and focused on whether such a system might be technically and financially possible in the future.
At the 7th Avenue ball diamonds, council considered a request involving proposed protective netting. Following a closed-session discussion involving legal advice, council approved a recommendation that the Town not cover the requested cost of the netting.
The Lumsden library will continue operating at its elevated service level of 35 hours per week, rather than 25 hours. Council heard that the library’s new engineering and drawing program has already filled its 24 spaces, with another 10 children on a waiting list.
Administration also updated council on Bill 43. The Town reported that it already appears to be meeting most of the new requirements, but the review highlighted difficulties residents may have finding information on the Town website when using a mobile phone.
Administration will look into possible improvements.
Public Works reported that water-main flushing was nearing completion, while ditch rehabilitation and fall tree work are also underway.
For full coverage and more details from the September 29 Lumsden Town Council meeting, listen to Episode 41 of the River Valley Podcast.
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