A series of proposed bylaw amendments could open the door for industrial development to take place on agricultural land in the MD of Bonnyville.
Bylaw 543, which consists of over 20 changes (additions and removals) to Bylaw 1207, the MD's general land use and development regulations bylaw, was brought up at a public hearing on Sept. 24.
The new bylaw consists of “amendments to (the MD) land use bylaw to clean up some of the definitions and regulations within the bylaw,” explained John Foy, director of planning and development with the MD.
Several members of the public approached council to voice their displeasure with the proposed amendments.
Bernard Lefebvre, a realtor from Cold Lake, had an issue with the changes that would allow agricultural land to be subdivided for minor and major industrial development.
“Having rural industry use on a agricultural quarter causes many concerns for people; added traffic to the roads, added potential for larger trucks and trailers, condition of roadways, added noise from equipment, potential environmental impacts and reduced property values,” said Lefebvre.
“Having a business or industrial shop next to one's acreage or land can negatively affect property values.”
The amendment Lefebvre is referring to would allow major rural industrial use on agricultural parcels greater than 20 acres and minor rural industrial use on agricultural parcels under three acres.
By amending the bylaw to allow industrial use on agricultural land, the MD would eliminate the need to rezone the land for industrial projects to move forward, which means that the adjacent property owners wouldn't have to be notified of the proposed industrial project.
This leads to another amendment, which would remove a section of the bylaw that requires adjacent landowners to be informed of a possible development and given an opportunity to comment on the proposal.
“Could you imagine if you had an acreage in the MD and they opened up a welding shop next to you with high industrial use?” Asked concerned resident Charles Ryan.
“I have taken (this proposed bylaw) to a couple other developers in Edmonton, Parkland and Sturgeon Country and they are just flabbergasted. They have never seen anything like it before.”
The fact that landowners could have a business or building developed with no notification or input from surrounding landowners also really concerns Lefebvre.
“If we continue to allow the rural industries development on every quarter section in the MD of Bonnyville, we will have a less attractive rural area, more shops on every corner and a very disjointed community with added traffic, additional equipment noise and environmental concerns.”
Ryan is also concerned this bylaw could open the way for industrial parks to pop up all over the MD, changing the “farming community” the region is known for.
“If we are a farming community, which the MD is supposed to be, than be a farming community and protect the farm land,” said Ryan, feeling this bylaw amendment could have major consequences.
“I think if the people really realized what could happen every single person in the MD would be banging down the doors of the MD office; every farmer would be for sure.”
Another MD resident, Phil Vellett, also took the time to speak to the councillors at the public hearing about a section of the bylaw he didn't agree with.
The addition, “sea cans are not permitted within hamlet boundaries, with the exception of the hamlet general district,” concerned Vellett.
“Why are we stopping the placing of seacans in hamlets?” asked Vellett. “They are just an inexpensive way to lock up your stuff.”
“I am also opposed to the stopping of mobile homes in hamlets. The additions (to this bylaw) are making more rules that I don't believe are necessary,” added Vellett, referring to the proposed addition of a rule prohibiting “park model homes” within hamlet boundaries.
MD Councillors took the time to listen to all of the concerns from the residents and will look at the information presented before making a decision.
The bylaw is expected to be back in front of council at the next meeting on Oct. 7.
A bylaw that would allow an MD landowner to temporarily lease a road allowance on Township Road 614 was back in front of the MD of Bonnyville council.
If passed, Bylaw 1581 would allow Robert Sales and Elaine Stacey to lease a 480-meter easterly section of Township Road 614, west of Range Road 414.
Sales spoke to council, saying it was the second time he had asked for permission to lease the road allowance, with the first request coming back in 2007.
Council has taken in the information and will be revisiting the request at their next council meeting.
