MPC approves three development permit applications
By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Wheatland County Municipal Planning Commission approved three development permit applications during the March 11 meeting.
Development Permit application DP 2024-128 proposed a recreational/leisure vehicle storage and commercial storage business intended to secure indoor storage for recreational and leisure vehicles including boats, business equipment, tools, inventory, and cars.
The application suggested the site would include a gated perimeter fence with passcode protection and 24/7 controlled access for customers.
Administrative operations for the business would be conducted from a home office located within a residence on an adjacent lot.
The proposed location is approximately 3.2 kilometers south of Strathmore, and 1.2 kilometers north of Township Road 234, on the west side of Highway 817.
A total of 50 spaces for recreational vehicles will be made available upon the opening of the business to the public.
The proposed commercial storage area is to include eight weather-resistant pods, being shipping containers, for the storage of business equipment, tools, or inventory.
The Municipal Planning Commission approved the development permit application subject to several conditions with no variances about the land use bylaw granted to the applicant.
Development Permit application DP 2025-008 proposed addressing three existing accessory buildings that are currently non-compliant with the land use bylaw on the subject lands.
This is located within the Hamlet of Nightingale on the east side of Range Road 245, 608 meters north of Highway 564.
A compliance review indicated the presence of an existing garage that requires a development permit, as well as a shed and an animal shelter. Both of these subsequent buildings do not meet required setbacks outlined in the land use bylaw.
Administration recommended the Municipal Planning Commission grant variances to the shed and animal shelter, as well as the required development permit for the garage.
Should the Municipal Planning Commission have decided not to grant the permit and variances, the buildings would have been required to be removed from the property entirely, or moved to within boundaries outlined by the land use bylaw.
Approval of the variances took into consideration the lack of concerns raised by adjacent landowners or internal staff.
Development Permit application DP 2025-013 proposed the construction of a one-bedroom residential unit on the second floor of a building currently under construction in an established business park.
The residential suite was suggested to be utilized for the provision of onsite security for the principal business located on the same lot.
A development permit was issued in May 2024 for an automotive and equipment services business which permitted the construction of two buildings. The residential unit is proposed to be added to the northernmost building which also includes a showroom, repair shop, and automotive parts sales.
As per local building code requirements, due to the combination of proposed uses, plans submitted for the building permit for the overall structure also included a two-hour fire separation for the suite.
Administration had recommended the development permit application be approved subject to several conditions with no variances to be granted about the land use bylaw.
More information regarding each approved permit is publicly available via the Municipal Planning Commissions meeting agenda for March 11.