Mountain View County council and the Village of Cremona council have passed motions approving a new inter-municipal development (IDP) plan. The move came following a public hearing in the village on Oct. 8.
The agreement is being put in place as required by the updated provincial Municipal Government Act.
The purpose of the plan includes the following: “To ensure orderly development, while protecting the area surrounding the village for future expansion; establish a policy framework to guide future land use planning; improve opportunities to attract an enhanced economic base for the region."
The plan also “ensures that the municipalities are developed in a manner that is equitable and fair to the residents of the municipalities.”
The plan area includes the entire village as well as an area around the municipality bordered by Twp. Rd 301A on the north, Rge. Rd. 42 on the east, Twp. Rd. 300 on the south, and Rge. Rd. 43 on the west.
The plan outlines land use policies for agricultural and residential lands, commercial and industrial properties, and direct control districts. It also sets out considerations for environmental, transportation, utilities, confined feedlot operations, oil and gas facilities, and infrastructure requirements to support new developments within the plan area.
Regarding confined feedlot operations, the plan states that “no new confined feedlot operations shall be supported within the IDP area as it may negatively impact the future growth of the village.”
Regarding utilities, the plan states, in part, that, “the wastewater treatment plant of the village may be expanded in the future to accommodate growth. Future expansion of the facility may include expansion of the existing lagoon to the north and south or new subdivision and development.”
Regarding oil and gas, the plan states, in part, that, “the county will work with the oil and gas industry to ensure that the plan area is not unduly restricted by the development of oil and gas infrastructure, including pipelines.”
Regarding commercial and industrial development, the plan states, in part, that, “a parcel to be re-designation and subdivided from a quarter section may be considered in the plan area identified for future commercial or industrial use” and “the re-designation and subdivision of commercial and industrial land beyond one parcel from the quarter section with the commercial and industrial use shall require a concept plan to be developed for the quarter section.”
The plan also includes a dispute resolution process, including a provision allowing either party to take disputes to mediation.
The complete inter-municipal development plan is available for viewing on the county’s website.
RE-DESIGNATIONS APPROVED
In other council news, county councillors have approved two land use bylaw re-designation amendments, one in Division 4 and one in Division 5. The moves came during the Oct. 9 regularly scheduled council meeting.
One re-designation is from agricultural district to country residential (R-CR) district in the Westcott rural neighbourhood at SE 10-31-3-5. The re-designation is to create a separate parcel for the existing dwelling and related services.
“The farmstead along the southerly boundary currently shares an approach and driveway between the quarter section boundary that joins with the neighbouring farmstead site on the southerly quarter,” administration said in a briefing note to council.
“Should the proposed parcel be re-designated to R-CR, approaches will be inspected and required to be upgraded, if necessary. This will be a condition of subdivision to ensure the approach to the proposed parcel and the remainder meets county standards for shared approaches.”
The second re-designation is from agricultural district to business park district in the McDougal Flats rural neighbourhood at NW 31-32-5-5. The re-designation is to bring the property and use into compliance with the land use bylaw.
“The parcel was subdivided as an undeveloped parcel and then developed as a residential site. Over time the use within the parcel has transitioned from residential with an accessory building to the current commercial and industrial use that conducts equipment storage and repair.
“Successful re-designation to I-BP District will allow the parcel to proceed through the compliance process by allowing a development permit to be applied for a prescribed use within the district.”
The site is used for maintenance and storage of forestry equipment and the application complies with the McDougal Flats area structure plan, council heard.
Council gave second and third reading to both re-designations.
