Rocky View County (RVC) council voted 8-1 to approve a redesignation application at a meeting on July 26, despite administration’s recommendation for refusal as the proposal was “not consistent” with the policies outlined in the County Plan.
The application proposed a redesignation to facilitate the future creation of a 4.2-acre parcel with a 76.2-acre remainder on land located south of Highway 1, on the east side of Vale View Road.
According to administration’s report, the current designation provides for an RV storage facility on a portion of the land and ongoing agricultural operations on the remaining 60 acres.
“The applicant has stated that the purpose of the application is for financial reasons,” said RVC planner Jessica Anderson. “The lands are located within a predominantly agricultural area of the county. To propose the further separation of an existing agricultural operation for personal financial purposes does not constitute a planning rationale.”
Anderson added, with no existing residential development within the quarter and the introduction of a residential parcel with provisions for a large-scale commercial operation, approval of the application could create land use incompatibility issues with the adjacent agricultural lands.
According to consultant Al Schule, who spoke on behalf of the applicant, the proposal does support current agricultural activity on the land. Schule said the applicant trains horses to race at Century Downs Racetrack and Casino, and is looking to create a better racetrack on his property.
“No matter what you do when you subdivide, it’s for financial gain,” Schule said. “But what’s he’s really trying to do here is improve his racetrack and enhance his lands – he has no intention of selling the land or building another house.”
Area Councillor Rolly Ashdown moved to approve the redesignation and said with Century Downs in the area, the County will likely see more of these kinds of applications brought forward.
Councillors Lois Habberfield and Margaret Bahcheli said in reading the report prior to the meeting, they were supportive of administration’s recommendation. However, after hearing the presentation made to council, they both voted with Ashdown to approve the redesignation.
“That’s why we have council. To exercise some discretion within the rules, and I believe this warrants some discretion,” Bahcheli said.
The application was approved by a vote of 8-1, with opposition from Councillor Jerry Arshinoff.
“Administration has given pretty good reasons and I agree council should use discretion because there are extenuating circumstances,” Arshinoff said. “But I did not see there is enough extenuating circumstances to override administration’s recommendation. Either you have a plan you follow or you don’t.”
