The Mountain View County municipal planning commission has approved a development permit application for an existing equine-assisted learning and therapy business in the Harmattan neighbourhood.
The approval came during the commission's recent regularly scheduled council meeting in council chambers.
The applicant had requested consideration for a change of use for the easterly portion, totalling 1,092 square feet, of the accessory building currently being used as an agricultural building, to commercial use, for the purpose of adding a classroom related to the existing business operating on the property, administration said in a briefing to the council.
"The existing business is considered a business, contractors within the agricultural district of the land use bylaw.
"An easterly front yard setback relaxation for the accessory building used for the business is requested to bring the property into compliance with the land use bylaw."
The property is located at NE 31-31-3-5, Plan 0313617, Block 1, Lot 1.
By way of background, the commission heard that administration had met with the applicant to discuss the existing business after a complaint was received that the business did not have the appropriate permit.
"The applicant clarified the business operates by appointment only for equine-assisted learning and therapy. The applicant requires a low-impact, non-intrusive business to provide the clientele an environment that is peaceful and comforting."
Many of the clients are youths at risk, veterans, first responders and seniors suffering from abuse, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder.
"The equine health and first aid clinics will be hosted outside and/or within the classroom. The applicant stated that a maximum of six clients could attend each clinic and there will be no public occupancy within the arena area at any time."
The approval came with a number of conditions, including that the business "shall not have more than six client visits per day and the applicant shall not generate excessive or unacceptable increases in traffic within the immediate area."
Meanwhile, the commission also approved a change of use from personal use accessory building to commercial use, and two home-based businesses - Wendy's Apothecary and Jerry Can Mechanical within an existing accessory building in the Eagle Hill-Westward Ho neighbourhood.
The property is located about one kilometre east of Rge. Rd. 52 on the north side of Twp. Rd. 332.
"Both businesses are contained within the existing structure and should not impact adjacent land use," administration said.
"Both businesses do not have employees other than the landowners themselves, who reside on the property."
The approval comes with a number of conditions, including the following:
ï The applicant shall not generate noise, smoke, odour, steam, dust, fumes, exhaust, vibration, heat, glare, or refuse matter considered offensive or excessive to the approving authority.
ï The applicant shall dispose of any and all scrap metal and chemicals collected and contained within the accessory building in a timely manner to prevent possible soil contamination and shall comply with all environmental standards and permit requirements of the authority having jurisdiction for the containment and disposal of scrap metal and chemicals on site.
