A Mountain View County subdivision and development appeal board hearing is scheduled to reconvene this week to further consider an appeal regarding a proposed Sundre gravel pit operation.
A quasi-judicial body, the board opened the hearing on June 7 into a municipal planning commission rejection of a development permit application made by West Can Seal Coating Inc.
On May 2 the commission said no to West Can's permit application for the 150-acre operation, located one kilometre south of Highway 584 west of Sundre.
The commission cited two principal reasons for rejecting the application: “The application will affect the use and enjoyment of neighbouring properties; and the application does not meet the goals and directions of the South McDougal Flats Area Structure Plan requiring the addressing of impacts and public response.”
The June 7 appeal board hearing was held to consider the company's appeal of the commission's ruling. The session included verbal and written comments from the company, as well as from area residents opposed to the project, and others.
West Can vice-president Matthew Arnill told the hearing the company believes the application meets all county requirements and that the company has and will take into account public concerns.
Gordie Reimer, president of Gordo Enterprises Inc., submitted a letter of support for the West Can application.
“West Can were my business neighbours in Didsbury for 12 years and have been the best of neighbours I could ever expect,” Reimer said in part. “West Can kept their yard neat and tidy, and always kept me informed if anything out of the ordinary was going to be moved into their yard.
“They have provided work for over 100 people in this area and have proven to be a very reputable company.”
A number of letters of opposition were also submitted to the board.
In one such letter, McDougal Flats property owner Cindy Iverson said, in part: “My objection/concern is based on quality of life in the community. If West Can is permitted to dig into the aquifer the long-term results could be significant. Allowing a gravel pit can have many benefits but we must not allow them to impact our water supply and we must ensure they respect the community by ensuring beautification, minimizing transportation impact and limiting noise and dust.”
In another letter of objection, Robert and Hilke Beuck said, in part: “Our two biggest concerns are the aquifer and devaluation of our property. Furthermore our quality of life would suffer due to noise disturbance, pollution and traffic volume.”
The MVC appeal board includes MVC reeve Bruce Beattie and Coun. Al Kemmere.
The board was scheduled to reconvene in camera on June 17 to consider the submissions made at the June 7 session. The board cannot take any further comments or submissions.
If the board closes the public hearing on June 17, the board will then have up to 15 days to issue a written ruling.
The board could obtain legal opinions of its decision before making it public. Board members are not permitted to make any public statements or comments about their deliberations prior to a ruling being made.
If the appeal board upholds the MPC ruling, the company could appeal to the provincial court.
