The Mountain View County municipal planning commission (MVC) has approved a development permit application for a proposed Sundre-area facility for the storage of drilling fluids used by oil and gas companies.
The approval came during the commission’s recent regularly scheduled meeting in council chambers.
The property is located in the McDougal Flats neighbourhood, south of Highway 27 and west of Rge. Rd. 54 at NE 32-32-5-5.
The applicant is Triple Point Chemical Inc. and the owner is Sandra Joyce Smith.
“They (applicant) will be focused on developing non-toxic, water-based drilling fluid products,” administration said in a briefing note to the commission.
“The applicant mentions he may expand into more oil-based products in the future but this will require the issuance of another development permit. There are three offices inside of the existing shop, which the applicant will use as a lab for research and development, and quality control. The existing econo-shelter will be used for water storage.”
Water used at the facility will come from the licensed well on the site, the commission heard.
The applicant is proposing to store drums, totes and pails for the transport of drilling fluid, but there will be no bulk storage of fluid at this time, the commission heard.
“The storage will be mostly indoors, as the cooler winter temperatures would cause the water-based products to freeze if they were stored outdoors, but in the warmer months, they may store some of the totes outside.”
The approval came with a number of conditions, including the following:
- The hours of operation shall be 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- The landscaping plan including existing trees and fencing submitted by the applicant shall be maintained. All existing landscaping shall be maintained to the satisfaction of the approving authority.
- The owner/applicant shall adhere to all the requirements itemized within the development agreement registered on title as Instrument, specifically the recommendations of the Stormwater Master Drainage Plan. There shall be no alteration to any natural drainage courses without a positive alternative means of drainage satisfactory to the county.
- A northerly side yard setback relaxation of 2.9 metres is granted for the life of the building.
- Storage of hydrocarbons or hydrocarbon related material/equipment shall not be permitted.
- All chemicals and other hazardous materials shall be stored in an approved container system and disposed of off-site, in a timely manner, by authorized personnel specializing in proper disposal methods.
The commission, made up of county councillors and members of the public at large, unanimously approved the application.
