Rocky View County (RVC) council gave third reading to an amended Firearms Bylaw at a regular meeting Sept. 11.
According to Lorraine Wesley-Riley, manager of Enforcement Services, the bylaw establishes no-shooting zones around the county, primarily in hamlets and more densely-populated areas.
The bylaw was given first and second reading May 22, before being sent to the Minister of Environment and Parks for approval, which was received Aug. 16.
Deputy Reeve Jerry Gautreau opposed the bylaw, saying he felt details were missing from the bylaw but declining to propose amendments. Third reading was carried 8-1.
Redesignation Approvals
An application to redesignate 19.55 acres in the Springbank Area Structure Plan (ASP) in order to accommodate an equestrian centre received three readings. Planner Jessica Anderson said the lands already house a private riding arena, which was constructed after a development permit was issued in 2009. Since that time, the arena has been used as an equestrian centre – a public facility where horses are trained and exercised, and which can accommodate horse shows.
“An equestrian centre is not a listed use in the [current] district,” said planner Jessica Anderson. “Therefore, the applicant is currently unable to bring [an] existing arena into compliance as an equestrian centre.”
According to applicant Valarie Prather, one side of the arena collapsed in February – due to improper design – and is currently being rebuilt.
Coun. Crystal Kissel expressed concerns that approving the application could lead to a drastic increase in the number of horses allowed on the property.
“When we go from having five horses…to now being redesignated to an equestrian centre that can have between 40 and 50 horses on 19 acres, I’m sorry, that’s too many horses in a very populated area,” she said.
Kissell and Coun. Samanntha Wright voted against first reading of the application, which was carried 7-2. Kissell also voted against second reading, which was carried 8-1. The application received unanimous consideration to move forward with third reading, which was carried unanimously.
Council also gave three unanimous readings to an application to create a 20-acre parcel with a 130.02-acre remainder south of Bottrel, south of Township Road 283 and on the east side of Range Road 43. Anderson said the subdivision is intended to provide for a range of new and distinct agricultural uses including livestock, a tree farm, horticultural development and, possibly, an equestrian centre.
Subdivision Approvals
Council also approved three subdivision applications at the meeting.
The first application creates a two-acre parcel with a two-acre remainder on land in the Balzac East ASP, according to planner Johnson Kwan – located north of Highway 566 on the east side of Range Road 293.
After voting 6-3 to remove a condition that the applicant enter into an access easement agreement – with Couns. Kevin Hanson, Wright and Kissel opposed – council voted 7-2, with continued opposition from Hanson and Wright.
According to planner Paul Simon, the second application created a 4.03-acre parcel with a 6.15-acre remainder on lands west of Bragg Creek, north of Township Road 232 and on the west side of Range Road 52. Mark Fawcett, on behalf of applicant Robert Sadee, requested council waive the Transportation Off-Site Levy (TOL).
After voting 8-1 to defer the TOL on the new lot – with Hanson opposed – council voted unanimously to approve the subdivision as amended.
The third application was approved unanimously – creating a 4.79-acre lot with a 4.79-acre remainder in the Central Springbank Area, east of Range Road 32 and on the north side of Springbank Road.
Road Consolidation
Council voted unanimously to close and consolidate a portion of road allowance north of Cochrane Lake, on the south side of Township Road 272 and the east side of Horse Creek Road, and directed administration to prepare and endorse a land sale agreement at the cost of $11,000 for the transfer of lands.
Engineering services support technician Angela Pare said administration did not have any need to retain the portion of road allowance.
“The applicants would like to have the road consolidated into their property to remove the public right of way that runs directly through their property, and prevent the need for setback relaxations for the dwelling they are proposing to build,” she said.
The resolution will now be forwarded to the Minister of Transportation for approval.
