MPC approves development permit, subdivision applications
By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Wheatland County Municipal Planning Commission approved three development permit applications and a subdivision application during the Jan. 16 meeting.
Development application, coded DP 2023-190, proposed modifications to an existing dwelling, to convert it to be suitable as a mixed-use building, with retail space, and a residential suite above.
The building in question is located within the Hamlet of Rosebud, 100 meters west of Main Street, on the north side of Martin Ave.
Wheatland County council approved the redesignation of the parcel from Hamlet Commercial to Hamlet Mixed Use District in July 2023. Legally, the mixed-use district allows for the intended development to proceed without issues, as the building falls under the intended use category of the district.
The development permit was issued solely for the purposes of using the existing structure to accommodate the needs of a retail establishment on the main floor of the building, with the residential suite on top.
Development Application, coded DP 2023-191, proposed the construction of a 1,456 square foot residential suite on the upper floor of a new detached garage, which will be constructed in place of the existing garage.
The land parcel, located approximately 8 km west of Strathmore and 1.6 km north of Highway 1, currently has an existing 1,980 square foot residence on site, which will be described for legal documentation as the primary dwelling.
The new dwelling will share the existing well, and a new septic tank will be installed north of the new structure. According to county administration, the application met all the requirements of the Land Use Bylaw, and no variances had been requested.
Development Application, coded DP 2023-192 was to facilitate the development of an Agricultural Support Services business which proposed to operate in an existing 6,000 square foot building.
Uses for the building are to include hay storage, as well as the sale of tack, feed and other related supplies and merchandise to local farmers and agriculturalists.
Wheatland County council approved the redesignation of a 14-acre portion of the subject lands from Agricultural General to Rural Business District in Dec. 2023 to facilitate the application being allowed to proceed.
The remainder of the subject land site will continue to be used for residential and agricultural purposes.
Subdivision Application, coded SD2023-027 proposed to adjust the boundaries between two land parcels, resulting in one approximately 82.42-hectare parcel, and one approximately 38.02-hectare parcel.
The purpose of adjusting the parcel boundaries is to facilitate the continued agricultural use of the lands. Both parcels are undeveloped, with no plans in place for development or change of use.
The alteration to the boundaries of the parcels is in order to resolve legal documentation regarding crown lands and a naturally occurring unnamed water body located in the area.
For clarity and in order to have an accurate area calculation for the subdivided parcel, the bed and shore of this body of water should not be affected by subdivision boundaries.