An application to redesignate a portion of land from Direct Control District to Residential Two District will return before Rocky View County (RVC) council for third reading on May 12, after receiving first and second reading at a public hearing on April 28.
The redesignation would facilitate the creation of a seven-acre parcel with a 12.94-acre remainder on land near the City of Airdrie, south of Big Hill Spring Road. However, because the land was subdivided in 2005 following a redesignation to Direct Control District to accommodate a manufacturing business with associated dwelling, this would be considered a second parcel out. As this is not supported by the County Plan, RVC administration recommended the application be refused.
Landowners Leslie and Marilyn Poffenroth have owned the land since 1995, and in 2005, opened a tree basket manufacturing business on one of the two cells on the property, said Larry Konschuk with Bert Brown Land Consultants, who represented the Poffenroths at the public hearing. Since the 1995, the family has grown more than 6,000 trees on their land, added Konschuk, and in addition to several members of the Poffenroth family, the business employs ten residents of RVC.
According to administration, the Poffenroths indicated in their application that their son David will be living on the proposed seven-acre parcel and working for the family business. This will provide the landowners with the opportunity to travel and ensure that there will be someone on-site at their business at all times, said Konschuk.
“He wants to build a home on the proposed seven-acre parcel, and of course, he needs a separate title for financing,” Konschuk said. “Nothing changes on the site, except this helps this family keep this very successful business here in Rocky View.”
Deputy Reeve Lois Habberfield moved to give the bylaw first reading, which was carried 6-2 despite opposition from Councillors Jerry Arshinoff and Al Sacuta. Second reading also passed 6-2, and with Arshinoff voting in opposition, unanimous approval was not given to proceed to third reading.
“I realize that it doesn’t exactly fit our County Plan, however, this does seem to be a very successful site that has some acres of surplus land,” said Habberfield. “Rocky View, I think, could thrive with having more home-based businesses where we can live and work in the same area.”
The item will be presented for third reading at council’s meeting on May 12.
