The County of Stettler Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) gave an initial subdivision approval for a parcel some would consider unusual. The initial approval was passed at the Aug. 28 regular MPC meeting.
The MPC is comprised of members of county council and chaired by Coun. James Nibourg.
Director of Planning and Development Craig Teal presented the board with a subdivision application from Roy Carlson for a parcel of land located at NW32-41-18 W4 with the intent to subdivide about 43 acres from the existing title and create a new title. The parcel of land is located in the north end of the municipality and bisected by Hwy.# 53 just east of the Village of Donalda.
“The terrain of the proposed lot can be described as rolling cropland,” stated Teal’s report to the board. “The terrain of the remainder lot is part of the Meeting Creek coulee, with rolling hills, vegetation and an offshoot of Meeting Creek.
The subject parcel is currently used as farm land with no residence/farmstead constructed. There is one abandoned well on the east side of the parcel, north of Highway 53.”
During discussion board members heard the parcel in question includes cultivated land, coulee, creek, abandoned well, provincial highway, secondary highway, railroad right-of-way and a cemetery on the south end, making it rather unique.
Teal noted essentially the owner asks for the subdivision with the goal of separating the cultivated land from the uncultivated land and noted the applicant may divest himself of the uncultivated land in the future.
“The subject property is located within the Village of Donalda Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) and is identified as an environmentally significant area,” noted the planner’s report. “The area is a key white-tail deer habitat and contains diverse valley habitats that are restricted in the region as well as uncommon plant species.
IDP policies state that the village and the county will endeavour, through the processing of subdivision and development permit applications, and in collaboration with Alberta Environment and Parks, to preserve the environmentally significant areas and other prominent natural features in the plan area. No changes or development are proposed within the subdivision area.”
Teal noted the provincial government will play a significant role in this subdivision application for two reasons, the first being both highways. He said Alberta Transportation sent the County of Stettler a response regarding this application noting the department has no objections to the subdivision but wanted it made clear to the property owner that two accesses are only temporary.
Teal confirmed that had been done, pointing out during discussion that if a new access is needed in the future there are good options.
Secondly, Teal noted the parcel in question is part of a provincial government historical resource list which uses its own rating system; apparently, the property in question, according to this rating system, “…contains a historic resource that may require avoidance or assessment and an HRV 5 has high potential to contain a historic resource.”
It was noted archaeological or fossil remains may be on the site.
The provincial government requires historical resource inspection by a qualified person and, once cleared, will issue a special letter to permit the subdivision to proceed.
Teal noted there were no concerns from agencies about this application, and the Village of Donalda had no objection. He added County of Stettler staff recommended approval with standard conditions, including the fact the historical resource inspection letter is required.
Board members unanimously approved the recommendation, with Chair Nibourg adding, “Interesting one.”
Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
ECA Review
