A site-specific amendment to allow for the construction of a commercial cellular tower was denied by Rocky View County (RVC) council at its meeting June 14. The application proposed a tower within the Wagon Wheel Industrial Park, and despite being consistent with existing policy in the area, a motion for refusal was made by Area Councillor Lois Habberfield. The motion was carried 5-4, with Councillors Liz Breakey, Jerry Arshinoff, Rolly Ashdown and Bruce Kendall in opposition.
“This is an industrial area, and we had two towers to the south that were just fine there for 40 or 50 years,” Kendall said. “If it’s not suitable in an industrial area, I don’t know where it is suitable. One letter of objection is not sufficient for me to decide not to support this.”
Council unanimously approved a redesignation on land west of the City of Airdrie, south of Big Hill Springs Road on the west side of Range Road 14. The redesignation from Ranch and Farm District to Agricultural Holdings District will allow for the subdivision of a 20.01-acre parcel with a 92.23-acre remainder, to provide for a new equestrian centre on the new parcel.
“Because (the applicant) is planning something that fits with the (County Plan), I don’t know why we would object to it,” Habberfield said. “Landowners do have some rights.”
A redesignation and subdivision were approved on land east of Airdrie, at the northwest junction of Highway 567 and Range Road 283. Administration recommended the file be refused, as the proposed 23-acre farmstead parcel exceeds the maximum size requirement set out in the County Plan. According to the applicant, the larger parcel size is necessary to accommodate the shelter belts to the north and east of the farmstead.
However, Habberfield moved to approve the redesignation despite the oversized parcel, saying the application met “all other requirements” for a first parcel out. Her motion was carried 8-1 with only Arshinoff voting in opposition, and the subdivision was approved unanimously.
Council approved a subdivision on land located at the southeast corner of Highway 574 and Range Road 35, creating two new lots – one 3.95-acre lot and one 5.25-acre lot – with a 149.38-acre remainder. The subdivision was approved 8-1, with Councillor Margaret Bahcheli in opposition.
Area Councillor Bruce Kendall attempted to remove the condition requiring the applicant to pay the Transportation Off-Site Levy on both new lots. He said the “longevity” of the existing buildings in this “meager farming operation” meant a subdivision wouldn’t create any increased traffic. However, his motion failed 4-5, with opposition from Councillors Habberfield, Ashdown, Breakey, Arshinoff and Bahcheli
“This is our opportunity to gain money in Division 9, as well as in the rest of the county, to improve roads,” Habberfield said. “I don’t think it is too onerous, and I think if we don’t take advantage of this, it’s on the rest of the taxpayers to put money into roads.”
According to RVC Planner Jamie Kirychuk, had the applicant proposed a first parcel out instead of creating both parcels on the same application, the levy would have only been applicable on one of the two lots. However, with the application presented as is, the levy is required on both.
Land Use Bylaw amendments were approved unanimously by council, which will require development permits on parcels not serviced by a developed road. The amendments identify all parcels within the county that currently do not have access and will require development permit approval, enabling the County to facilitate cost recovery on road construction.
“By requiring development permits, administration will, in accordance with the Municipal Government Act, be able to implement (a cost recovery policy),” said RVC Planner Andrea Bryden. “In the absence of a subdivision application or a development permit, the County is unable to facilitate cost recovery.”
