Conflict surrounding the rezoning and development of Blackmore Shooting Sports clay course has led to the County of Wetaskiwin changing its notification process to reflect the full range of requirements as specified within the Municipal Government Act.
Nearby landowner Georgina Smith spoke with council during its Nov. 10 planning and economic development meeting regarding how landowners were notified of the rezoning and development, as well as issues she has regarding Blackmore’s execution of its development permit stipulations.
Smith stood before council representing 28 other individuals who were also unhappy with the county’s notification process.
County development officer Jarvis Grant says in an email to the Pipestone Flyer, “only three individuals, representing the same parcel of land located within the County of Wetaskiwin, were notified by the County in accordance with the requirements outlined in the Municipal Government Act (MGA).”
Six more individuals, representing three parcels of land, located in Ponoka County, were not properly notified in accordance with the MGA. The remaining individuals represented by Smith would not have been directly notified by the County of Wetaskiwin in accordance with section 606.
“The Ponoka County parcels were missed because the County of Wetaskiwin notification process for planning and development issues was in accordance with Section 606 of the MGA, which covered the County landowners, but did not include Section 692, which covered Ponoka County landowners),” said Grant.
“We are disappointed with the lack of consultation that occurred,” said Smith during her delegation with council.
Moving forward, the County of Wetaskiwin will include section 692 in proposals and amendments to rezone, as well as land-use bylaws, municipal development plans, area structure plans and other statutory plans. “Of these, rezonings are the only things in which written notice is to be mailed to adjacent landowners in an adjacent municipality. Development permits are not subject to Section 692,” said Grant.
Regarding other concerns of the operation, including noise and alcohol, the county will be working with the developer and landowners to address their concerns.