Alix village council discussed a proposal to divide a large parcel near the municipality’s namesake water body into three smaller titles. The discussion was held at the Dec. 4 regular meeting of council.
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Michelle White requested councillors add an item to their meeting agenda, a notice from Parkland Community Planning Services (PCPS) of an Alix property owner’s intent to subdivide a 17.8 ha parcel located on the west side of the lake into three smaller, separate titles.
The current address was given as NE 35-39-23 W4 which it was noted is inside the Village of Alix’ municipal boundary near an existing subdivision.
“Pursuant to the Municipal Government Act (MGA) this application is being referred to adjacent landowners to advise of a proposed subdivision application,” noted a letter from PCPS Planner Reza Asadi. “The proposed application is for the purpose of separating the land title of the parcels from one title into three titles.”
Asadi noted PCPS was advising those who wished to comment on this proposal to send their written comments to the planning agency by Dec. 24 if such comments were to be considered part of the planning process. It was noted if comments were not received by that date, it will be assumed neighbours have no objections to the proposal.
The CAO observed the existing situation is that the parcel in question currently has three different land use zones inside a single location, including two residential land-types; thus the owner wishes to have three separate titles instead. She stated that the notice councillors read has also been delivered to all neighbours and agencies that could be affected by the application, including Lacombe County.
As councillors discussed the application the CAO noted that village staff don’t know much about the request except that it seems the intent is to eventually develop a residential subdivision within the parcel.
Coun. Ed Cole asked if the parcel in question was south of the ag grounds, with staff responding yes, and within the village boundary.
Coun. Rob Fehr stated in about 2007 or 2008 a developer pitched an idea to the Village of Alix about a project on that same land but it didn’t come to fruition.
The CAO stated that the village records reveal some concept drawings were submitted to the municipality at that time and it appears lots in those concept drawings were about 10 feet narrower than allowed by the land use bylaw (LUB) at that time. White added that LUB requirements are not necessarily the same as they were in 2007 or 2008.
The CAO reminded councillors that just because a concept drawing was accepted by councillors at that time doesn’t mean that anything was or is approved.
Councillors accepted the PCPS notice as information.
Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
ECA Review
