Barn apartment leads to double fees

By Sharon McLeay Times Contributor

A resident hoping to build a new residence on their land got a surprise from the county in the form of double development fees, as the barn had an unpermitted residential suite in the loft.
Wheatland County planners could not find an old permit but suggested it could fall under current secondary suite guidelines. They still would have to pay a $600 penalty on the fees.
The applicant asked that council remit the fee, as the suite was built in 1998 and inspected at the time of construction. They indicated that it was clear to the inspector at that time it was going to be used until they built a new residence. They had been paying residential taxes on it since that time.
“I agree to pay the $300 development fee; however (I) feel the penalty is not justified. I was told the county did not keep accurate records 20 years ago, and they are now trying to have all the properties in compliance as they find them,” said Robert Voelk in a letter to council.

County parks, recreation and community service setbacks
Lengthy documents sometimes need adjustment and Wheatland County planners noted side yard and setback distances had been missed in the Land Use Bylaw for Parks, Recreation and Community service district guidelines in Land Use Bylaw 2016-01.
“Since direct control was created, some parcels have been consolidated and the lands indicated in the district have to be amended to reflect the consolidation. To assist staff and the public, in the dwelling, modular, recreational vehicle and recreational vehicle storage, we are proposing additional wording to make the definitions more clear,” stated Kim Sandbeck, Wheatland County development officer.
The properties under the designation will have a change to side yard setbacks of 10 feet. Modular homes will have a three-to-one ratio for floor length to width of the home. It excludes recreational vehicles as a dwelling and clarifies leisure vehicle storage. The complaint process was adjusted to accept written complaints for investigation, but verbal complaints would only be accepted if the situation involves a public safety risk, or imminent risk of personal injury, or property damage.
Council approved the amendment.

Cannabis bylaw gets upgrade
County planners submitted amendments to the Land Use Bylaw 2016-01 on Feb. 5, to define and use the term cannabis instead of marijuana in documentation and remove the term medical marijuana production facilities from the intensive industrial designation. Now that cannabis has been deemed legal under existing federal guidelines, medical production will fall under cannabis production facilities and move from discretional use in industrial general districts, to permitted use in industrial general. Facilities will still be confined to the Wheatland West Highway 1 industrial area and will not be considered under greenhouse categories.
County staff upgraded setbacks to 100 metres, and included waste management guidelines, lighting requirements, environmental and site assessments, wetland and biophysical assessments, the landscape and screening plans, which will be required at the development permit stage of application. There is a provision that cannabis cannot be consumed at the site and equipment placed to remove odours. Water well licensing may also be required.
“This bylaw is specifically to amend the land use bylaw. The amendments to the special use section are in keeping with recent amendments. They ask for more studies to be completed up front, and they’re requiring developers to take control of any potential nuisance effects their development may create. These amendments will provide more clarity, transparency, and accountability to developers. As well as strengthening the County’s role in development that comes into the industrial corridors and area service plans,” stated Megan Williams, intermediate planner with Wheatland County.
Council approved first reading and the public hearing will be in council chambers April 2.
The bylaw also added and clarified several additions to discretionary uses under the bylaw.

Intermunicipal agreement with Vulcan gets approval
The Vulcan County and Wheatland County Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) came before Wheatland County council approval on Feb. 5. The agreement is mandatory under provincial mandates for all counties to have intermunicipal agreements with counties adjacent to their borders.
In the agreement with Vulcan County, about a 1.5-kilometre strip on either side of Wheatland County borders is affected, which translates to about 17,393 acres.
The plan will address mutual land planning decisions regarding infrastructure, economic, social and environmental impacts to development in this area. The agreement states Vulcan County and Wheatland County share similar goals for agriculture, economic development, natural resources, environment, transportation, and water and utility development.
However, it notes some negotiation might be needed on areas of resource extraction, recreational development and industrial development. Those negotiations are why the province has mandated these plans, so that problematic areas can be dealt with in a prescribed manner.
Council gave third and final reading for the agreement.

ASB bursary and stewardship awards
The Agricultural Service Board (ASB) granted this year’s legacy award to Craig and Kooter Kaiser. The Youth Stewardship Award was given to the Carseland School, due to their garden, outdoor classroom and nature connection program. The board has revised some of their terms of reference for awards to free up more opportunities to support youth in agriculture interests.
“I think this is a pretty good move by us,” said Councillor Jason Wilson. “It’s going to allow a lot more kids to go into the scope of agriculture and have a little more funding for that.”