Land Use Bylaw amendment

By Susan Hofforth

Some changes are in the works to Woodlands County Land Use Bylaw 407/13 which controls rural-based home businesses and transport contractor businesses.

Woodlands County has been experiencing increased challenges with home-based businesses and transport contractor businesses existing within residential rural subdivisions. The greatest challenge has been with transport contractor businesses and the number of trucks operating out of country residential properties. Many of these businesses use large trucks such as gravel trucks, logging trucks, or oil service trucks which cause concern to residents, particularly with noise, smell, safety concerns, road damage, and unsightliness. Many neighbours feel that the increased number of trucking-based businesses make a neighbourhood seem industrial in nature. Current county regulations are unclear as to the number of trucks allowed. Some businesses had permits for the trucks, but some did not, and some businesses have just outgrown their existing permits.

In order to eliminate these problems for the future, Woodlands County is looking at clearer regulations that will limit the number of trucks on a parcel. The county has already created a new land use district that allows for business development along with a residence. However, concern was expressed from the public that the district allowed too much industrial type development. Woodlands County is in the process of amending the Country Residential Business District which would allow up to a maximum of five trucks in a residential setting. Purchasers of parcels zoned Country Residential Business District would be aware that this is an area where neighbours would be operating businesses.

The new regulations will amend the discretionary uses in the Country Residential District such that only a maximum of two trucks could be applied for in this specific district. Anyone that was entertaining a Transport Contractor business requiring more trucks than that would be directed to subdivisions that are zoned as County Residential Business District.

Woodlands County is looking for public input on the above amendments to its Land Use Bylaw with respect to home occupations and transport contractor businesses and their locations within Country Residential Districts. A public hearing meeting will be held on February 3, at 7:30 p.m. in the Woodlands County Regional Office in Fort Assiniboine. Interested individuals can submit comments on the amendments in writing to the County Office.

Details of the amendments are available on the Woodlands County website www.woodlands.ab.ca. Those individuals with questions are encouraged to visit the website or call the Woodlands County Planning Department at 780-778-8400.