Rezoning necessary for a new greenhouse business east of Linden, Alta. was approved by Kneehill County council following a public hearing held at their regular meeting on Nov. 10.
Reeve Jerry Wittstock opened the public hearing, then handed the reins over to Deanna Keiver, planning and development officer, who described the application which had passed first reading and was publicly advertised.
“Roger Runnels and Renae Franche have applied to redesignate .about five acres of a portion of SW 27-30-25 W4 Plan 121 0619, Block 1, Lot 2 from Agriculture District to Agriculture Business District,” stated Keiver in her report to council, who also noted the lands are located about 1.5 miles east of Linden.
“The purpose of the application to redesignate a 0.5 +/- acre from the existing 10.4 acres is to allow for the operation of a commercial greenhouse and to provide retail services and workshops to the public.
Under the current Land Use Bylaw 1808, redesignation is required for a commercial greenhouse.
“The subject parcel is accessed by Township Road 30-4, Linden East Road. The portion of land to be rezoned encompasses two existing greenhouses and a small area for future development.”
Keiver noted in her report a commercial greenhouse is a permitted use of the agriculture business district.
The development officer stated the application met all requirements of the Municipal Development Plan.
Coun. Wade Christie, examining the map provided to council, asked if the application was making an island on the lands in question.
Keiver responded that all setbacks had been met.
Reeve Wittstock asked if the applicant would like to speak, and Keiver noted the applicant didn’t attend the public hearing because, essentially, everything they had to say was already included in the application.
The reeve asked if anyone wished to speak in favour of the application, to which there were none. He asked if anyone present at the public hearing wished to speak in opposition to the rezoning, and again no one responded.
Wittstock asked if there were any written submissions either in favour or opposing the application, and Keiver noted county staff had received no written submissions of either kind. As well, Keiver noted no referral agencies had sent comments on the rezoning.
After the public hearing was closed, councillors discussed the application.
Councillors unanimously approved second and third reading of the rezoning for a portion of SW 27-30-25 W4 Plan 121 0619, Block 1, Lot 2.
Stu Salkeld, Local Journalism Initiative reporter
ECA Review
