Strathmore wants to cut ties with the Calgary Metropolitan Regional Board (CMRB).

The Town council voted to send a letter to the Minister of Municipal Affairs requesting that the Town of Strathmore be removed immediately as a member of the Calgary Metropolitan Regional Board.

The town has been a member of the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board (CMRB) since its inception in January 2018. The town feels it is in its best interest not to be a member of the CMRB.

Mayor Pat Fule noted that in the last four years he has worked with CMRB and attended their meetings.

“There have been so many discussions and so much planning that really have no impact on Strathmore,” he said.

Councillor Denise Peterson supported the motion reluctantly.

“I see all kinds of good in the CMRB in terms of sustainability for our community looking down the road in terms of things water management particularly resource management joint initiatives. But the detriment to our community in terms of development is extraordinary and there is no trade-off,” she said.

She asked the question is there a way back into the CMBR for Strathmore, should the town withdraw.

The administration has reviewed the pros and cons of being a member of the CMRB and based on this review, there are more negatives than positives. One of the main reasons for requesting removal is that the town will not have the flexibility to develop the way they may want. According to the town, the CMRB has policies that do not support “residential community” growth, and Strathmore is primarily made up of “residential communities.”