Rocky View County (RVC) council approved a site-specific amendment to include Cemetery and Interment Services as a discretionary use on two parcels in Springbank, located southeast of the intersection of Highway 1 and Range Road 33 within Springbank Commercial Court.
The applicant, Dr. Jeff Dand, currently owns the Springbank Pet Hospital and Wellness Centre, located immediately north of the subject parcels. Dand intends to build a pet cremation system on-site to provide clients of the hospital with an option for managing the remains of deceased animals.
“This is a service I can’t provide to my clients now, and I don’t feel comfortable with how (deceased pets) are (currently) dealt with,” said Dand, who already euthanizes up to 20 pets per month between his two clinics. “I have an opportunity to make it easier for owners to say goodbye and to treat their pets with respect.”
A development permit will still be required for the construction of the cremation system, said RVC planner Stefan Kunz, even with the amended land use.
“While no cemetery is proposed on this particular site, if the application is approved as proposed, it would be possible for future applicants to submit a development permit for one,” Kunz said in his report to council. “However, as the Cemetery and Internment Services would be a discretionary use, administration and the neighbouring landowners would have some degree of control over this outcome.”
Opposition was received from the owners of an adjacent vacant parcel, who said they felt such a development would “negatively impact” the value of their land. However, these landowners were not present at the public hearing Nov. 22 to provide any additional information to council.
“The very nature of the proposed use, being the incineration of animal remains, obviously implies the potential for air contaminants and odour,” Kunz said. “If it is found that the system is not being maintained properly, resulting in the exhaust of smoke or odour, then enforcement may be conducted through provincial legislation or the conditions of development permit approval.”
While there is little information and scientific study available pertaining to pet cremation, Kunz said there does not appear to be a high potential for off-site impacts – specifically the presence of smoke, odour and particulate matter that could negatively affect the health and enjoyment of adjacent landowners.
“I’m going to go along with administration’s recommendation with some reluctance, only because this is something new to everybody, new to council, and when it’s new you always have some worries,” said Area Councillor Jerry Arshinoff.
Third reading was passed unanimously on the amendment, which Kunz said will allow an existing business owner to expand his opportunities and potential revenue, and will provide county residents with additional services – in line with the intent of the County Plan’s goal of attracting business development to specified areas and strengthening the County’s fiscal situation.
“I am truly in support of this and I hope that we are fairly liberal with our development permit,” said Reeve Greg Boehlke.
“I don’t see why we have policy on one side to attract business to the county, and then we try to limit business.”
