County of Wetaskiwin council approved a re-zoning from Agriculture to Hobby Farm at their Planning and Economic Development council meeting July 11.
A public hearing was held during the council meeting for this application.
The agenda memo from staff noted a residence is located on the land in question and will be considered a first parcel out.
“On April 30, 2019, Administration received an application from Donald and Shirley Laczo to rezone approximately 10.85 acres (4.93 hectares) within SE 12-46-5-W5M from Agricultural (AG) to Agricultural Hobby Farm (AHF),” stated the memo.
“If rezoning is approved, the Applicant intends to subdivide a 10.85 acre (4.93 hectare) yard site out of the quarter. The property is located along Range Road 50.
“On May 23, 2019, referral letters were sent to West Central Planning Agency, the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER), Alberta Sustainable Resource Development (ASRD), Alberta Environment, Alberta Transportation, and Administration.
“Administration notes that the proposal would include excluding the area of an oil and gas access road along the top of the property. The width of the oil and gas access road will need to be a reasonable width for road maintenance reasons. At the time of survey and subdivision, it would be expected that a minimum twenty (20) metre (66 ft.) panhandle would be necessary. This should not cause any issue with the proposed lot as no buildings are in this area.
“Additionally, there were questions about the panhandle as it makes sense to take the property line right to the edge of the quarter section and they are not near the maximum size.
“However, Administration would understand not wanting an easement, this could be a possible lot line adjustment in the future.
“Furthermore, in reviewing the proposal with the Applicant, the soil rating is within area III of the 1984 file soil record. In addition, this has been affirmed with later records with the proposed soil area being 8.5 percent.
“A residence is located within the proposed lot and if subdivision is applied for, this would be the first parcel to be taken out of the quarter. In this regard, an Area Structure Plan is also not required.”
Staff also noted the proposal was publicly advertised and neighbours were also notified.
After the public hearing was closed, councilors unanimously approved the by-law necessary for the re-zoning.