County MPC approves development, subdivision applications

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Wheatland County Municipal Planning Commission approved a development permit, and two subdivision applications during the Dec. 10 meeting in council chambers.

Development Permit application DP 2024-129 proposed to address four existing buildings on a property located in Division 3, within the Hamlet of Carseland.

Each of the structures were previously indicated to be non-compliant accessory buildings on the subject land.

A compliance review indicated these structures had not received development permits prior to their construction. In order for this to be rectified, the four structures would all require variances to be granted.

Structures which do not meet land use requirements, including setbacks, or which do not receive development permits, are required to either obtain variances, be moved into compliance, or are to be removed from a given property entirely.

As no concerns have been raised from adjacent or surrounding landowners, nor by county staff regarding the accessory buildings in question, county administration recommended the requested development permit, as well as the six required variances to be in compliance with the land use bylaw be granted to the applicant.

The Municipal Planning Commission voted unanimously in favour of approving the development permit application.

Subdivision Application SD2024-007, located in Division 2 proposed to create an approximately 17.67 hectare parcel with a 47.03 hectare remainder regarding its subject lands. 

The land parcel is located 10 kilometers northwest of the Village of Standard, immediately to the Northwest of the Township Road 252 and Range Road 232 intersection. 

Subject lands are designated as Agricultural General District, which has been deemed appropriate for the proposed subdivision and remainder parcel. The proposed Lot 1 is developed with a dwelling and a barn, as well as several quonsets and granaries. 

Adjacent land uses are predominantly agricultural and of farmsteads, save for a 9.79 hectare portion of the quarter section immediately north of the proposed Lot 2, which is designated Intensive Industrial District.

County administration recommended that the subdivision application be approved under several conditions which are also outlined in the Municipal Planning Commission’s Dec. 10, meeting agenda. 

The purpose of the application is to facilitate the future development and storage of explosive devices and fireworks on the subject lands. 

Comments from surrounding landowners were largely in regards to required setbacks from property lines and explosives storage requirements. 

The application was voted on and approved unanimously by the Municipal Planning Commission.

Subdivision application SD2024-016, located immediately north of the Town of Strathmore, proposed to create a 4.89 hectare parcel, with a 30.04 hectare remainder, located in Division 5. 

Subject lands are designated Rural Business District, which was deemed appropriate for the proposed parcel size and intended land use. 

Lands which are adjacent to the subject are predominantly residential, country residential, and agricultural. 

The proposed Lot 1 is developed land with an event venue and accessory buildings. Lot 2 is undeveloped land with no proposed changes to land use or development. 

Administration recommended the subdivision application be approved subject to conditions outlined in the Municipal Planning Commission’s meeting agenda.

The application was approved following discussion regarding comments issued by Alberta Transportation regarding the subject lands. No objections were raised by members of the commission.