Council rejected a rezoning application that would have split 6.7 acres in the county’s east into two parcels just over two and four acres in size, Dec. 13.
The applicants Balwinder Kaur Gill, Balvir Kaur Gill, Gurbachan Kaur Gill and Amarjit Kaur Gill had hoped to build a house on the smaller parcel.
There is an existing single-family dwelling and accessory buildings on the parent parcel, located at the northeast junction of Highway 564 and Range Road 285.
The surrounding lands have a number of land use designations from Ranch and Farm and Agricultural Holdings to Residential One and Two zoning.
County staff received no response from 28 adjacent landowner letters circulated.
A large pond exists on the land, making it impossible to use it for farming, said Harj Sidhu, who spoke for the owners.
“This property should not be considered as agricultural because of the poor drainage,” he said.
Expensive remedial work involving replacing existing soil with gravel would have to be completed before a house could be built, Sidhu added.
Several councillors expressed concern about the lack of comprehensive planning and potential stormwater concerns.
“This is not a comprehensive development,” said Councillor Lois Habberfield. “It is adjacent not only to a slough, but a major road.”
Councillor Kim Magnuson agreed.
“It may not be a suitable location for a home,” she said.
Councillor Margaret Bahcheli was in favour of the redesignation application saying the lack of opposition meant the community felt the proposal fit the area.
Councillors Magnuson, Habberfield, Al Sacuta, Rick Butler and Reeve Rolly Ashdown rejected the proposal, while Bahcheli was the lone supporter of the plan.
Councillors Greg Boehlke, Earl Solberg and Paul McLean were absent from the hearing.
