County rejects childcare operations proposal

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Wheatland County council voted to reject a development permit application which had been submitted for the purposes of launching a childcare business.

The application, presented June 16, had proposed a home-based business for care of up to six children, aged six months to 10 years, during weekly business hours, operated by the homeowner.

The property in question is a semi-detached residence located in the Lakes of Muirfield, sharing a common wall with adjacent residents.

“This file began as an enforcement matter in October of 2025 after reports a day home was operating on the parcel. In March, the applicant submitted a development permit application for the care of three children, but was later revised to six,” said Suzanne Hayes, development officer for Wheatland County. “Complaints were received in April that the use had begun operating before approval and the applicant was advised on more than one occasion not to operate without a development permit.”

Council was advised that a day home is not a permitted use within the currently assigned land use parameters, and the appropriate home-based business type is considered discretionary. 

A home-based business type two, which the application proposes for the property, is defined as being limited to an average of five customer visits per day.

Care of the indicated six children would not align with the localized traffic threshold for the current land use designation when considering drop off and pickup times by parents.

“There are also concerns with parking and congestion as St. Andrews Close has only one entrance and egress,” said Hayes. “An additional concern was identified regarding noise and livability impacts to the adjacent unit sharing the common wall.”

The application had also been noted as opposed by the Lakes of Muirfield Homeowners Association for similar reasons.

Internal circulation by peace officers also indicated concerns over likely noise and parking complaints.

“Circulation responses demonstrate that there is public support and a desire for childcare services in the community, however, administration notes that popularity alone is not a planning basis for approval,” said Hayes. “Council must weigh community need against land use compatibility, bylaw compliance, and the broader public interest under the Municipal Government Act.”

It was suggested that a more appropriate alternative would be to consider a future amendment to the existing residential district to add day homes as a use, which would also allow for a proper public hearing and policy review process.

Seeing the current and future need for childcare availability within the county, Coun. Shannon Laprise suggested hearing from the community at a later date about where facilities may be optimally established.