Questions around the septic system at a proposed acreage delayed a subdivision approval somewhat at the County of Stettler’s Municipal Development Commission (MPC) regular board meeting July 24.
The MPC is comprised of members of county council and chaired by Coun. James Nibourg.
Director of Planning and Development Craig Teal presented councillors with a subdivision application for about 21 acres of agriculture property located at NW 11-37-19-W4M owned by Lloyd John Penner (represented by Tim Unruh) with the aim of creating a separate acreage.
“The subject property is located 15.5 km southeast of the Town of Stettler,” stated Teal’s report to the board. “The proposed 21.01 acre parcel contains an existing dwelling and a detached garage. The remainder of the NW 11 is used as pasture and cropland. There are no abandoned wells on the subject property.”
Teal noted in his presentation that this application is a little bit of a re-do, as it was previously approved by the MPC as an eight acre subdivision. However, the property owner and prospective buyers changed the proposal somewhat, boosting it up to the roughly 21 acre size. Teal pointed out the larger size accommodated inclusion of an existing open discharge connected to a functioning septic system and a dugout.
Teal stated the county had no concerns about access as there were plenty of options, and there were no objections to this proposal from various agencies. However, Teal noted some range road widening on the west side would be required.
During discussion it became apparent the prospective buyer of the proposed acreage wasn’t happy with one condition on the existing open discharge system: the existing pipe would have to be shortened to meet legally-required minimum distances separation for property lines and the existing residence.
The prospective buyer pointed out altering an existing septic system that was functioning properly seemed like a bad idea and he preferred to find a different solution: ideally, leaving the system as it was.
The prospective buyer, who was present at the meeting, suggested he purchase more land from the current owner, thereby moving the property line and meeting the minimum distance separation for the septic discharge.
It was noted several times at the meeting the current open discharge was functioning properly and there were no problems with it.
Board members approved a 20 minute break while Teal and the prospective buyer contacted the property owner; however, as it turned out the property owner stated he preferred only the current application that the MPC was discussing.
When the application came back to the board Chair Nibourg asked the prospective buyer if he accepted the application with the listed conditions and he confirmed he did.
Board members unanimously approved the subdivision application as it was presented.
Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
ECA Review
