FORMERLY THE ROCKY VIEW FIVE VILLAGE WEEKLY
Volume 35, Number 28	OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER FOR THE MD OF ROCKY VIEW #44	Tuesday, July 8, 2008
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Rocky View planning
MD waives agricultural use requirement
Enrique Massot

Satisfied that a future owner will likely pursue an agricultural activity, the MD of Rocky View council approved a change in land use in an undeveloped quarter section in a northwestern area of the municipality.

Council followed a recommendation from its municipal planning department and approved the redesignation of a 151-acre agricultural parcel that will allow for subdivision of a 45-acre parcel on Highway 22, north of Township Road 281.

Coun. Paul Mclean, who represents the area, spearheaded approval of the rezoning for the land, located adjacent to Westbrook School.

"Looking at the school on the south, the gas station (site) and the church, this is a quasi-community area," he said. "It is in keeping with the characteristics of the area."

Rocky View’s municipal development plan contains a policy that protects the integrity of unsubdivided quarter sections as the basic agricultural units. It discourages their fragmentation unless there is a plan demonstrating a new and enhanced agricultural operation will take place on the parcel.

Landowners Nathan and Winifred Cornforth presented the application to council. Because the land will be put up for sale, the applicants could not present plans for the eventual future use of the land.

The MD’s Agricultural Services Board, in response to an internal circulation of the proposal, noted the application involved fragmentation of agricultural land and asked what new or enhanced agricultural operation had been proposed.

However, planners noted that the parcel to be created contains existing agricultural infrastructure such as a barn, private riding arena, large shop, hay and machinery sheds.

"It is highly likely that a subsequent owner will continue to pursue agricultural activities," planners pointed out.

Reeve Lois Habberfield said she had concerns that included lack of a known plan for a new and enhanced agricultural operation for the 45-acre parcel.

"I am okay now and do not have any concerns," she said after a brief consultation with planners.

Although she would have preferred a stronger adherence to existing policies, Habberfield said she also believed the redesignation and subdivision would be acceptable.

"I do not think it’s going to harm the community," she said.

Deputy Reeve Greg Boehlke supported the approval and said he had, in the past, argued in favour of approving similar applications based on "potential uses".

"Maybe we need to have another look at the land use," he said.

Boehlke recently pushed for policy change in favour of first parcels out to allow for the creation of residential parcels out of unsubdivided quarter sections.