The move came during the commission’s recent regularly scheduled meeting in council chambers.
The proposal was to create the three-acre parcel within SW 6-29-3-5, which is along Rge. Rd 40, north of Twp. Rd. 290 approximately 15 kilometres south of the Village of Cremona.
Administration recommended rejection of the proposal because it was seeking a third title within the quarter section when the maximum number of allowable titles should be two.
As well, the proposal does not meet the growth management strategy of the community according to the Dogpound area structure plan.
The commission received a number of objection letters, including one that express concerns with increased residential traffic conflicting with agricultural operations in the area.
“Rge. Rd. 40 is a narrow gravel road and the location of the approach is not suitable,” the letter stated. “There are concerns with increased dust from the road and with agricultural equipment having to share the road with additional residential traffic.”
In a briefing note to council administration said, in part, that, “residential development is incompatible with surrounding land uses. The proposed development does not support the policies, goals and objectives of the county to preserve viable agricultural lands. The proposal contains productive agricultural land suitable for pasture and it should be preserved for food production.”
In a letter responding to the concerns, the applicant said, in part, that, “Range Road 40 is not busy. The applicants have lived on the quarter for more than 16 years and have operated a boarding kennel business for the past 12 years. The applicants and customers of the boarding kennel have not had any conflicts with farm equipment. The slope along the approach is not steep and sightlines are sufficient. The applicants have been grazing cattle and grow hay on the quarter, which have never had issues with dust from the road. Most of the dust is created from agricultural equipment using Range Road 40.”
The applicant also stated that the proposed area “does not contain viable agricultural land, as the landowner’s cattle avoid this area. The existing agricultural operations will remain intact.”
The commission refused the application.
The municipal planning commission is made up of county councillors and appointed members of the public.
