OLDS — A property owner is considering subdividing a portion of land at 5631 49th Ave. in east Olds so it can be sold for the construction of medium density homes.
But in order to do that, amendments need to be made to the East Olds Area Redevelopment Plan and the town’s land use bylaw, because that land would have to be rezoned from country residential to medium density.
Such moves also require that a public hearing be held. That hearing has been set for June 24 at 1 p.m. in town council chambers.
Council gave first reading to the necessary bylaw amendments and set the public hearing date during its May 27 meeting.
Development officer Kyle Sloan told council that the redevelopment plan would have to be changed first, followed by the amendment to the land use bylaw.
“Administration has suggested that the question of a possible rezoning be addressed first prior to initiating a more expensive subdivision process,” a memo in council’s agenda package said.
“If these amendments were to be approved, construction of an access road in the existing right-of-way to the north would still be required prior to endorsement and registration of a subdivision.”
Sloan said “there is no particular development” related to the applications.
He said the applicant “believes that it would be more saleable for development purposes” if the land could be subdivided and rezoned as requested.
Coun. Harvey Walsh said although he had no problem with the amendments and public hearing going ahead, he said residents adjacent to the land in question should be made aware of what’s proposed well ahead of the public hearing date.
“In all respect to the residents in the area, they should have the information in advance instead of showing up in a public hearing and just hearing then what is going to be said,” Walsh said.
Sloan said 12 letters regarding the matter were ready to go out to adjacent property owners.
Walsh said that “doesn’t meet the requirement of explaining why the person thinks it will fit in.”
Dahl said administrative staff, including Sloan and chief administrative officer Brent Williams heard Walsh’s concerns about the matter and “they will be able to provide further information.”
“Yeah, I have no problem with that,” Walsh said.
