A portion of land has been redesignated to accommodate recreational vehicle (RV) storage near Langdon after an application was approved by Rocky View County (RVC) council at a meeting on Sept. 29.
The 27-acre parcel was redesignated from Ranch and Farm District to Industrial-Industrial Storage District, with another 94 acres to remain ranch and farm.
Located at the northeast junction of Range Road 275 and Highway 22X, the land is not included within an area structure plan and is outside of an identified business area.
However, because of the traffic infrastructure already in place at the intersection, applicant Jamey Bezjack said the location would be perfect for a “much needed” RV storage facility to accommodate the residents of the Langdon area.
“During our travels within the community of Langdon, we discovered many neighborhoods are over-crowded with RVs,” Bezjack said. “The congested streets, in many instances, are unsafe for children. It makes it tough for (waste removal) to get around, and it’s just a real safety concern for everybody, but they just have nowhere to go.”
The land was initially purchased in 2010 by Bezjack and his two brothers, to be used as a pasture or hay land. The family sold their herd in 2012, and Bezjack said they were looking for a way to diversify and stabilize their income while also providing a service to the community.
“In addition to making the site look good, we have budgeting for 24-hour security, including high-definition cameras and a well-lit yard site,” Bejack said. “The facility will also be equipped with key-card entry gates that will be open during access hours.”
While RVC’s land use bylaw limits parcels with this zoning to 20-acres or less, administration’s report said this larger parcel was permitted because of the number of wetlands on the property. However, the application still did not meet the agricultural and business development policies of the County Plan and refusal was recommended.
According to RVC Planner Meghan Norman, four letters of opposition were received by the County, but two were subsequently retracted after the opposed landowners met with Bezjack, and had their concerns addressed. Bezjack said his engagement with the community showed overwhelming support of the application.
“It was well-received by residents with trailers, but also by residents without them,” he said. “With this convenient location only eight minutes away, it would give RV owners an option to keep the streets clean, safe and less congested.”
Area Councillor Rolly Ashdown said he recognized the need for the facility and moved to approve the application.
Third reading was carried unanimously, despite opposition from Councillor Jerry Arshinoff on first and second reading.
“Reading the agenda, I often form an opinion going into the hearing,” Reeve Margaret Bahcheli said. “This is one of those cases when the applicant and the presentation and what I heard here today actually changed my mind.”
