Following a lengthy Jan. 24 public hearing, Rocky View County (RVC) council approved a redesignation to accommodate film production at a property north of Bragg Creek that has been a set for Hell on Wheels, Heartland and Lonesome Dove, among other films and television programs.
The land currently contains an existing movie set featuring a small western town, a prop rail station, a prop warehouse, parking areas and a staging area for portable trailers, equipment and materials. However, since the county’s current Land Use Bylaw doesn’t provide a use for a film production facility, the applicant proposed a Direct Control (DC) Bylaw to specifically address the unique development on the land.
“The purpose and intent of the proposed district is to allow activities associated with film and television production to take place, while also allowing ranching and farming activities on the land to continue,” said RVC planner Jessica Anderson.
The application proposed to redesignate the 40-acre section of land encompassing the set and related amenities to a DC district, while leaving the remaining 120 acres as Ranch and Farm. While the application didn’t meet the requirements of RVC policy around business development outside of an identified business area, Anderson said there was “reasonable justification” provided as to why the proposed use cannot be located in a business area due to the unique and particular needs of the industry.
Opposition was presented at the public hearing by nearby landowners, who cited issues regarding safety, dust, and increased noise and light pollution in the area. According to Brian Romaneschi, a consultant with CityTrend who spoke on behalf of a group of concerned landowners, these residents are supportive of the film production facility itself.
“The only thing that is of issue, and has been of many years, is the use of Township Road 242,” Romaneschi said. “We were hoping to see (an access plan and transportation plan) with this public hearing. We were hoping to have some issues resolved, and we are disappointed that this was not done.”
However, according to Anderson, the revised DC Bylaw stipulates the requirements for access and traffic be addressed at the development permit stage. This permit would also specifically address permitted operations, landscaping, parking, access, lighting, hours, servicing and any other matters relevant to the proposal.
“This would allow council to address technical requirements typically considered at the subdivision stage through the development permit, and to separate land use issues from technical matters,” Anderson said.
A motion from Councillor Liz Breakey to approve the redesignation was carried by a vote of 8-1, with opposition from Councillor Jerry Arshinoff.
Council also voted unanimously to formalize the enforcement services department’s current film permit requirements, and to include a land use designation for television and movie industry use in the upcoming rewrite of the county’s Land Use Bylaw. According to administration’s report, this approach is intended to provide a “balanced framework for assessing various proposals, to accommodate the needs of a growing industry, and to minimize impacts to adjacent landowners.”
