A proposal to develop an off-leash dog park in Mountain View County near the westerly boundary of the Town of Olds has passed an initial hurdle although more approvals are needed before the plan becomes a reality.
County council has approved the Town of Olds' application to have its 55.85 acres of agricultural-zoned land on the north side of Highway 27 just west of the town redesignated to a direct control district.
The Sept. 10 approval required an amendment to the county's land use bylaw to provide for the regulation and control of the use and development of the area for an off-leash dog park.
“I believe this is a good use of the land,” said Mountain View County councillor Al Kemmere before joining the rest of his fellow council members in giving third reading of the bylaw amendment, adding that the land was “nice and close to the community.”
Town of Olds residents have expressed an interest in having access to an off- leash dog park, according to the application.
“The Town of Olds issued 713 dog licences in 2013 demonstrating that people do love their canines,” said Kari Idland, Town of Olds municipal intern when presenting during the public hearing.
The town reviewed its options and determined the proposed site would work the best for the use, according to the county's planning staff.
The proposed off-leash dog park is intended for the general public, including Town of Olds residents, county residents and the travelling public.
One adjacent landowner did raise concerns about the proposal through a written submission.
Debbie and Earl Wilton who live to the west of the proposed park said they were concerned about their privacy being invaded by onlookers walking to the dog park from the proposed parking area, location of fencing, the possibility of dogs coming onto their property, and smell, runoff and garbage.
County councillors raised similar concerns and asked that what is not already addressed in the regulations governing the new district be addressed in further negotiations with Olds officials as part of the development permit application process.
A manure management plan, dealing with dog feces, will be required as part of the development permit application stage.
“I have a concern with what happens to the dog once it gets on someone else's property,” said Coun. Duncan Milne.
Planning staff said the Town of Olds bylaw department will be responsible for enforcement on the proposed site as well as dealing with issues arising from the site like an escaped dog.
After passing the redesignation, county council directed administration to negotiate agreements with the Town of Olds that include complaint enforcement.
It also passed a motion directing administration to begin the process to amend the county's Dog Control Bylaw to allow dogs to be off-leash in an approved off-leash dog park.
The Town of Olds will now have to apply for and be granted a development permit and suffice all the regulations governing the new use of the land, in order to develop the proposed dog park.
