MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - The county's municipal planning commission (MPC) has approved a development permit for a new heavy equipment training facility on the Olds College campus.
The approval came during the commission’s March 3 meeting, held in person and on Zoom.
The development permits is an accessory use - heavy equipment training facility with accessory building (up to three modular units) in accordance with the land use bylaw.
The facility will be located on the east of Highway 27 within the Olds campus area southeast of the Ecole Olds High School complex. The property is zoned institutional, educational and cultural district and is located within the existing 8.2-acre borrow pit at the site.
“The subject land will be utilized to offer hands-on practical experience to train and instruct student in surveying, staking, safety, preventative maintenance, fieldwork, job site fundamentals and earthmoving operational techniques of various pieces of equipment,” administration said in a briefing note to council.
“Work activities would include instruction on trenching, slot dozing, digging of basements, and spoil piles. The college, in conjunction with industry partners, supplies all equipment used in the program, which includes, but is not limited to, graders, packers, excavators, skid steers, dozers and loaders.”
Three sessions will be offered at the facility per year, typically with spring, summer and fall sessions, with site hours being 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The proposal includes a removable building used for a job shack at 600 square feet, a generator shack, portable washrooms and a temporary fuel storage.
“These will be moved onto the site and will be used in conjunction with the training activities. All setbacks are being met was the subject area is within the middle of the quarter section.”
Regarding noise attenuation, the applicant indicated that there are exiting berms soon the westerly, southerly and easterly sides of the borrow pits that will be sloped and maintained for noise buffering purposes.
“All backup beepers will be turned down to the lowest level, while abiding by the Occupational and Health Safety standard. Monitoring of the noise levels will be completed by instructional staff.”
The approval comes with a number of conditions, including that the applicant must comply with the requirements of the Alberta Weed Control Act, that the applicant will restrict use of engine retarder brakes within the subject land, and that an emergency response plan must be provided to the Olds Fire Department.
The new facility will replace the existing facility at the White Pit along Highway 27 west of Olds, which will be reclaimed by the county as required, members heard.
The MPC is made up of county councillors and appointed members of the public. It is the county’s approving authority.
