Wheatland MPC approves 450-kilowatt solar project near Hussar
By Melissa Crispin-Piche Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A 450-kilowatt solar facility northwest of Hussar is moving ahead after receiving approval from Wheatland County’s Municipal Planning Commission.
The commission approved development permit DP2026-120 during its Sept. 15 meeting, subject to 15 conditions.
The facility is planned for approximately two acres of an 11.45-acre property about 4.5 kms northwest of Hussar, near Range Road 203 and Township Road 243A.
Development officer Suzanne Hayes said the property was redesignated Industrial General in May to accommodate the solar project and a related data processing facility.
“The generated electricity will be exported to the Fortis grid to offset the electricity consumption associated with the data processing facility on the same site,” Hayes said.
The solar facility will operate continuously and will be remotely monitored, with no regular employees or customer visits expected.
One issue addressed before the application reached the Municipal Planning Commission was the distance between the solar panels and an undeveloped road allowance along the northern boundary.
The applicant originally sought permission to reduce the setback to 10 metres. Following concerns from the county’s transportation department, one row of panels was removed and the setback increased to 23 metres.
The change also reduced the project from its originally proposed 600-kilowatt capacity to 450 kilowatts.
The decision prompted questions from commissioners about why the larger setback was necessary.
Administration said there was no certainty the road would eventually be developed but the operations department wanted to preserve that possibility.
“It could also be a safety issue just having that distance to the road,” Stefan Kunz, Manager of Planning and Development added pointing to potential sightline concerns near the intersection.
Another issue raised during the meeting was what happens to the solar facility at the end of its life, particularly if the company operating it is no longer around.
Coun. Berle Hebbes noted the reclamation plan had been prepared by Azgard Solar and asked who would be responsible if the company “pulls up stakes” or ceases business.
“If the company was no longer involved in the activity, if we were enforcing the reclamation plan, ultimately it’s the landowner’s responsibility,” Hayes responded. “The county enforces to the landowner ultimately.”
The project underwent technical reviews dealing with glare, wetlands, stormwater, traffic, environmental impacts, noise and eventual reclamation.
Hayes said the glare assessment found no predicted impacts to nearby roads, intersections or residences.
A wetland was also identified on the property. The solar infrastructure will remain at least 40 metres away which exceeds a recommended 20 metre buffer.
Traffic associated with the development is expected to be concentrated during construction.
“Traffic impacts are expected to be limited to approximately 17 commercial delivery trips during the three-month construction period, with only six to eight maintenance visits annually afterwards,” Hayes said.
A new approach from Range Road 203 will also be required.
Fire Services requested an emergency response plan covering both the solar and data processing facilities.
The plan has been accepted by the county but will have to be updated once final construction and operational details are known.
No concerns were received from surrounding landowners during circulation.
“Administration is recommending approval because the proposal is consistent with the applicable statutory plans and land use bylaw, is appropriately scaled for the Industrial General site and has addressed potential impacts through technical studies and mitigation measures,” Hayes said.
The commission subsequently approved the permit with all 15 recommended conditions.