Board approves clearing appeal

The Mountain View County subdivision and development appeal board has approved an appeal of an earlier denial of a tree clearing development permit.

The board issued its ruling on Aug. 7 and it came before the municipal planning commission (MPC) during its recent regularly scheduled meeting in council chambers.

The property where the tree clearing was proposed is located on 117 acres at NE 28-30-5-5.

On June 7 the county’s municipal planning commission denied the development permit application submitted by Darcy and Stephanie Coleman. They launched an appeal of the decision on July 28.

The appellants cited a number of reasons for the appeal, including: tree harvesting is sustainable and environmentally responsible, harvesting operations will meet or exceed all provincial harvesting rules, land has been actively harvested within the last 50 years, timber to be removed is over mature and is creating an increased fire risk, and over mature trees are more prone to disease and bug infestation.

The appeal board heard the appeal on July 26 in council chambers.

In upholding the appeal, the board cited a number of reasons for its decision, including the following:

• The board determined that the adherence to the Alberta Timber Harvest Planning and Operating Ground Rules Framework for Renewal would ensure the intent of the proposed development to remove marketable timber while maximizing their pasture and decreasing the potential for wildfire risk.
• The board determined that the proposed development is a suitable discretionary use for the lands.
• The board determined that the proposed development would support an increased agricultural use of the lands in alignment with the purpose of the district.
• The board determined that the proposed development would assist with forest management and the overall future health of the lands.

The approval comes with a number of conditions, including the following:

• Prior to hauling from the subject property, the applicant, landowner and/or operator shall contact the county’s operational services department with the intended haul route for a proposed haul. If a road use agreement is determined to be required by the county’s operational services, then the road use agreement must be obtained prior to any haul from the subject property.
• The applicant shall adhere to the Alberta Timber Harvest Planning and Operating General Rules Framework for Renewal. This approval shall only be for tree utilization of 15/11 as outlined by the framework.

During its regularly scheduled meeting on Aug. 16 the municipal planning commission passed a motion accepting the appeal board decision as information. Councillor and commission member Peggy Johnson voted against the motion.