County of Stettler MPC applicants proposed moving this house from Calgary to the Hamlet of Botha to be placed on two hamlet commercial lots. ECA Review/Submitted
The County of Stettler Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) approved a development permit that will allow a house to be placed on two commercial lots in a municipal hamlet. The decision was made at the May 25 regular MPC meeting.
The MPC is comprised of members of county council and chaired by Coun. James Nibourg.
Board members read an application for a development permit from Ken Duncan and Cindy Ochar to place a relocated residence on lots 3 and 4, block 2 plan 0821859 located in the Hamlet of Botha.
Development Officer Jacinta Donovan presented the application and stated the county’s land use bylaw (LUB) allows such a development permit under the hamlet residential zoning, noting “residential development in this district shall follow the site regulations, development standards and additional regulations for the corresponding type of residential development in the Hamlet Residential District.”
Donovan’s memo also described the rules for moving a residence into the hamlet, which stated, “… a ‘Moved-in Building’ means a building that has been assembled at and previously occupied or used on a site other than the site it is proposed to be moved-in to, and which is to be moved more or less whole to the proposed location.
“A moved-in building may be any type of building that is listed as a permitted or discretionary use in any land use district, except a Manufactured Home, Recreational Vehicle, Recreational Vehicle – Park Model Recreational Unit or new ‘Ready-to-Move’ RTM Home.’”
During discussion Donovan stated the development permit application had to include a recent colour photo of the building which is being moved and a description of the building’s age, size and structural condition.
Donovan stated the applicants plan to move an existing house from Calgary onto the two lots in Botha, which are zoned hamlet commercial, and also plan to build two new structures on the site, including a garage and storage shed. Donovan added that the development permit application included the detail that the hamlet commercial zoning would remain in place even though the residence is located there.
The applicants also stated the residence would be placed on a concrete foundation with a basement.
Donovan also stated it’s proposed to consolidate the two hamlet commercial lots into one lot.
The development officer stated the staff recommendation was to approve the development permit application with all the requirements listed under section 3.1 of her report, which included the development be completed according to a site plan submitted by the applicants, minimum setbacks be followed, the property approach meet county specifications and many others.
As board members discussed the application, Reeve Larry Clarke asked why the property was not being rezoned. Donovan answered that the applicants seemed to want the application approved as quickly as possible, and re-zoning involves a bylaw and public hearing process which can take up to two months.
Board members also heard that the applicants propose to have only one driveway.
It was stated at the MPC meeting these lots were advertised for sale below market value with no other buyers showing interest.
The MPC unanimously approved the development permit as it was presented.
Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism initiative reporter
ECA Review
