MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - Mountain View County council has approved a recommended review of the land use bylaw including as it relates to home-based businesses, waste management facilities, gravel pits, and cannabis facilities.
The move came by way of motion at the recent regularly scheduled council meeting, held by teleconference.
A review of the land use bylaw is part of the 2021 work program for the planning and development department.
“The last complete land use bylaw review was completed and approved in July 2018,” said Margaretha Bloem, director of planning. “It has been a goal to identify and provide amendments to the land use bylaw on an ongoing basis to ensure alignment of statutory plan policies and identify items requiring review.”
“The recommended changes to the land use bylaw are intended to provide clarification and clear interpretation when applicants apply and administration reviews applications. Council as the steering committee for the review is requested to review the table of suggested amendments.”
The 40 technical considerations proposed for review include the following:
- Definition clarification between waste management facility - minor and major as the definitions are quite similar, ie: wrecking and scrap metal yard.
- Dwelling, move in/relocation means a single detached dwelling, to be relocated from its existing site location. This does not include dwelling, manufactured or new dwelling, modular or exempt farm buildings. Old (existing) modular to be considered as move in.
- Work camps, short term is defined but not as listed use within any district. Work/lay down camp might be more suitable as it is temporary inn nature and could be added to more districts and remove work camps, short term.
- Business - home based allow for one commercial vehicle to be used in association with the business. Recognizing that the impact is low and most home-based business would require a commercial vehicle with no impact on the community. Example would be mobile-type businesses.
- Cannabis production facility - the federal government, since May 2020, requires municipal approval prior to federal approval.
- Further define the parameters for the ability to apply for extended hours of operation in the district regulations and existing pits under the operating regulations when meeting the requirements include general pit operations not just for crushing. Recognizing that if the neighbours approve crushing, they would be all right with all operations for a temporary time period.
Items for consideration include possible outdoor cannabis production facilities.
