The Mountain View County Municipal Planning Commission has approved a new firewood and sandbag business in Bergen.During last week's MPC meeting, commission members approved the subsidiary occupation application for the property about one kilometre north of Bergen on the west side of Highway 760.The business will cut and process firewood and fill sandbags, both for sale to campgrounds and individual residences.Applicant Ralph Alton told the commission that he plans to bring timber cut in the Sundre area to the site and process it for delivery and sale. There will be no on-site sales, he said.About 150 cords of wood will be processed at the site every year, he said. The business site itself will be located on a rise above the Fallen Timber Creek.Under the approval granted last week, there can be a maximum of three commercial vehicles and four trailers on site pertaining to the business at any one time.As well, no more than 50 cords of wood can be stored at the site, and all sawdust must be contained in leak-proof containers.Three letters of support and four letters of opposition were received by the commission.Meanwhile, commission members have denied approval of a proposed breeding and boarding kennel – personal dog development permit application.The applicants were seeking approval to keep 15 dogs on their Bearberry area property. Although the family did not plan to bring any more dogs onto the property or to conduct sales or breeding at the site, they were still required to make the application under the Land Use bylaw.The applicant told the commission that four of the dogs are of a larger breed and are used to keep predators away from the property.The commission received three letters of support and 11 letters of opposition to the application.Several of the letters of opposition expressed concerns with excessive barking and excessive fecal matter.In making its decision to deny the application, the commission said the reasons for its decision include that approval would negatively impact the amenities of the neighbourhood and the “use and enjoyment of the adjoining properties.”
