Hobby Farm Rezoning Moves Forward Without Opposition

A 15-acre parcel on Highway 821 is set to be rezoned from agricultural to country residential after a four-minute public hearing Tuesday saw no opposition from the public, provincial agencies, or council.

New Hobby Farm Proposed

The hearing addressed an application by Jim and Jennifer McLaren to rezone a portion of their land located at SE 1-42-24-W4. The change from Agricultural (AG) to Country Residential Hobby Farm (CR) district is the first step needed to subdivide the 15-acre lot into a new residential parcel.

The subject property includes the original farmsite and an existing approach onto Highway 821.

Why It Matters

This rezoning, if given final approval, will allow for the creation of a new residential property in an area currently designated for farming. The Country Residential Hobby Farm designation allows for a home and small-scale agricultural activities, distinct from large-scale commercial farming operations.

Changing land use from agricultural to residential permanently alters the character of the property and can influence future development in the surrounding area. The process requires a public hearing to ensure community members are aware and have a chance to provide input.

No Citizen Input

No members of the public attended the hearing to speak for or against the proposal. The county also confirmed that no written submissions or letters of objection were received from the community.

The applicant, Jim McLaren, was present to answer any questions, but none were raised by the public.

A Routine Review

The hearing was a brief, procedural affair, lasting from 11:02 a.m. to 11:06 a.m. Deputy Reeve M. Matejka chaired the meeting in Reeve P. McLauchlin’s absence.

Council discussion was minimal. According to the meeting record, councillors briefly reviewed road access, water availability, and the compatibility of a new hobby farm with the surrounding agricultural lands. They raised no significant concerns.

Administration also noted that Alberta Transportation was notified of the proposal and had no objections to the continued use of the property's highway access.

What's Next

The public hearing is a required legal step in the rezoning process. The final decision rests on a formal vote by council on the rezoning bylaw, which will take place at a future regular meeting.

With no objections raised by the public, the province, or council during the hearing, the bylaw is expected to pass without issue.