The subject parcel (outlined in black) is applying to re-zone the land to Country Residential for a nine lot subdivision, which would be located to the northwest of the property (Photo: County of Grande Prairie)

By Shaun Penner

Land Re-zoning

Contentious subdivision topic of lengthy debate at County Council meeting

Mar 25, 2019 | 6:20 PM

It was a full house at Council Chambers this morning during the County of Grande Prairie’s regular meeting.

A public hearing was held on the proposed re-zoning of a 45.76-acre, privately-owned parcel of land, which would change from Agricultural use to Country Residential. The change would allow for the owner to develop a nine-lot residential subdivision on what is currently a wooded parcel near the intersection of Township Road 750 and Range Road 60 near Webster.

Neighbours and residents took advantage of the public hearing, voicing their many concerns over the proposed project. In total, the debate lasted nearly two-and-a-half hours.

The County’s Planning department presented to council that they felt comfortable with the subdivision going through, as it met ten different criteria points. Some of those points included:

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• The long-term sustainability for the area,
• whether the soil was appropriate for such a land use,
• the availability of water,
• whether proper sewage disposal could be installed,
• proper road access,
• and increases to traffic in the area.

However, after many concerns were raised by area residents, council directed that the public hearing be recessed until further assessment and studies can be done on how the water table will be affected.

“Definitely, we felt that the information provided was sufficient, but council heard concerns raised by residents today and felt that they needed someone to elaborate on that study a little bit more,” said County CAO Bill Rogan.

One of the major issues brought forth by neighbours, spearheaded by Cheryl Bozarth Soll (who lives adjacent to the property), was the added drawing from ground water from the existing aquifer. Residents felt that historic flow rates would not be able to support that extra withdrawal and many residents would be left having to find new sources of water.

“We, from experience, know that that water table is very marginal,” said Bozarth Soll. “We wanted to make sure that was something that was going to be top priority and looked at above all else.”

An assessment had been done to estimate the added use that would be put on the water table, which deemed it to be okay. However, residents reached out to get a second opinion by a hydrogeologist, who found deficiencies in the study. With that new information presented to council, they voted to wait on a decision until the new studies presented could be reviewed

“It isn’t uncommon when we see development in that area for concerns to be raised about water, because I think it is top of mind to the residents up there,” said Rogan. “Again, I think council just wants to be sure that they’ve got the absolute best information they can have to move forward with the decision.”

Among other issues brought forth by residents was the increased traffic in the area, the need to clear-cut a road to the north of the property (and also connecting it to Range Road 55), as well as the effects on wildlife in the area.

Bozarth Soll says that though this subdivision is affecting them now, they hope a positive outcome for their concerns will have a longer-reaching impact.

“At this time and at this stage in our level of growth, the County has to start looking at the big picture of what they are planning in all areas,” said Bozarth Soll. “I think this is going to apply to another development, down the road in another area.”

There is currently no timeline for when the hearing will be re-scheduled for a future council meeting.