Rocky View County (RVC) council unanimously approved an application to redesignate a portion of land from Ranch and Farm District to Agricultural Holdings District to allow for the future creation of a 23.6-acre parcel with a 24.7-acre remainder. The land is located east of Beaupre Creek Road, on the west side of Range Road 54.
According to RVC administration, the application was not supported by County Policy as it has been previously subdivided, does not qualify as a fragmented quarter section, and no new or distinct agricultural use was proposed. The applicant, James Ullery, spoke at the public hearing on April 28 to explain the potential for a new use of the land.
“I have two prospective buyers who are interested in starting horse training and breeding facilities, one on each property,” said applicant James Ullery, adding that neither buyer was interested in the 48-acre parcel as it is now.
While Ullery was unable to provide documentation to assure council these potential buyers would be purchasing the property following the proposed redesignation and future subdivision, RVC planner Meghan Norman said the information was sufficient to prove that the application is consistent with County Policy.
“At the time when the application was submitted, that was something that I wasn’t aware of,” Norman said. “Their proposal said they were planning to subdivide for reasons other than a new or distinct use, and this was not brought to my attention.”
Area Councillor Bruce Kendall moved to give the bylaw first reading, stating that it is consistent with other development in the area and was supported by the neighbors, as administration received five letters in support of the application with no opposition. However, not all councillors were willing to overlook the recommendation from administration.
“We have policies in place and this didn’t meet any of them,” said Councillor Liz Breakey. “If there had been some documentation attempt, as the planner indicated, that would have changed the recommendation perhaps, but it seems too often people are looking for 20 acres to put a house on.”
Reeve Margaret Bahcheli and Councillors Breakey and Jerry Arshinoff opposed first reading, but second and third readings were carried unanimously.
