INNISFAIL – Discovery Wildlife Park co-owner Doug Bos finally has a proper place to hang his hat after a hard day’s work at his local zoo.
“For 20 years we lived in one room,” said Bos of his longtime spartan living arrangement in the main building of the Innisfail zoo he co-owns with wife Debbie Rowland. “We lived here anyhow. We just needed our own house. We are both 68-years-old. We can’t keep living in a one-room bedroom type of thing.”
However, Bos’s living conditions are about to dramatically change. He and his wife will soon have much larger lodgings to finish off their long, hard-working days at the park.
On Sept. 11 Innisfail town council was asked to approve the local zoo owner’s development permit application to build a new 2,400 square-foot residence in the northwest area of Discovery Wildlife Park.
As the 90-acre zoo property is regulated under a direct control district within the Land Use Bylaw, the zoo’s application was not subject to approval by the Municipal Planning Commission. Council unanimously approved the application.
The new structure will actually have two separate living units with the principal quarters covering an area of 1,280 square feet with the secondary one, which is designed to function similar to an in-law suite, having 1,120 square feet.
According to a report to council from Crystal Chappell, the new development officer for the Town of Innisfail, the plan calls for both units having developed basements, as well as electrical services, private propane gas servicing, a water well, and sanitary holding tanks.
The application approval came with several standard conditions, including one that says development must begin within 12 months of the effective date of the approved permit and be completed within 24 months of the effective date.
However, Bos told the Albertan that construction will begin this fall with completion planned for the spring of 2024.
While council unanimously approved the zoo owners’ application there were some hard questions.
Coun. Don Harrison wanted to know whether the zoo owners had a long-range plan for the park.
“Has the proponent got an idea where he's going to be in five, 10, 15 years at the park? Every couple of years we get more, ‘we're going to plunk 10 more units over here and 10 more over here,” said Harrison. “Is there going to be more residences, more facilities put on that northwest corridor down the road?
“Because that'll affect access. It will affect water, affect sewer, power; the whole nine yards.”
Meghan Jenkins, director of community services for the Town of Innisfail, told council it was her belief the zoo owners do have long-term plans, including one to expand the property.
“However, the direct control district is quite specific in terms of the nature of dwelling units that can be developed on it,” said Jenkins in response to Harrison’s question. “Dwelling units can only be contemplated for occupancy by the owner, operator or caretaker, as opposed to cabins and facilities that are within the campground.”
In a later interview with the Albertan, Bos confirmed there is a plan to expand the zoo’s footprint. He said the process is underway to purchase another 129 acres of land directly north of his current property.
Bos said he expects the deal to be finalized within the next two years.
