Rocky View County (RVC) council approved a redesignation application on land southwest of Crossfield, despite a recommendation for refusal from administration due to a lack of planning rationale to support the future subdivision planned for the parcel.
The application proposed a 20-acre parcel with a 20.01-acre remainder on land along Range Road 13, south of Township Road 282. Administration’s report indicated “references have been made” to the poor health and financial circumstances of the landowner, but has not been confirmed in writing to support the application.
“We’re not allowed to consider personal hardship when it comes to managing land use at a municipal government level,” said Councillor Margaret Bahcheli.
According to consultant Larry Konschuk, who spoke on behalf of the applicant at the public hearing, the intent is use the southern proposed lot for the keeping of horses in the future, but due to the current economic climate, there are no immediate plans.
“It’s been grass and hay for many, many years, and that’s not going to change,” Konschuk said. “They are a farm family and they’d like to stay there as long as they can.”
However, even with valid planning rationale, the proposal would still result in fragmentation of the land that is not consistent with existing subdivision in the area, said RVC planner Dominic Kazmierczak.
He said the 20-acre parcel would also be marginally below the 20.01-acre minimum parcel size required for the proposed Agricultural Holdings land use.
“I generally look at land use requests by applicants as what is the overall effect going to be to the community,” said Area Councillor and Reeve Greg Boehlke, who relinquished the chair during the public hearing. “Who is this going to hurt? Who is going to be harmed in doing this? And the answer (in this case) is no one.”
Boehlke moved to approve the application, stating any administrative concerns can be dealt with at the time of subdivision. Third reading was carried by a vote of 6-2, with Councillors Bahcheli and Liz Breakey in opposition. Councillor Jerry Arshinoff was not present at the meeting.
Subdivision approved
An application to create a 20.01-acre parcel with a 20.01-acre remainder was unanimously approved by council on a section of land located northeast of Chestermere along Highway 791. As a field survey has not been completed since the time of the original subdivision on the land, RVC planner Jamie Kirychuk said the proposal may result in the creation of undersized parcels; however, the application still meets the requirements of the Municipal Government Act.
