APPLICATION FOR S-FUD IN CONRICH FUTURE POLICY AREA REFERRED TO ADMIN
GLENDALE ROAD APPLICATION APPROVED
CALGARY GROWTH MANAGEMENT BOARD PRESENTATION TO COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING – COUNTY BUDGET – JANUARY 17/18
APPLICATION FOR S-FUD IN CONRICH FUTURE POLICY AREA REFERRED TO ADMIN
Council heard an application to redesignate a 147-acre parcel and a 10-acre parcel to S-FUD (Special, Future Urban Development District). Both parcels are located on the same quarter section in the Conrich Area Structure Plan’s Future Policy Area (Division 6).
The intention behind S-FUD is to allow for a range of temporary land uses until the land is developed to an urban standard. Administration recommended refusal. Despite claiming the business only required 10-acres for truck storage, the application sought
to redesignate the entire parcel. The applicant stated that he had been waiting for six years for the County to provide direction on land uses in this area and felt the S-FUD designation would allow him to operate the truck storage business until it was determined what would be the highest and best use of the lands.
Local Councillor Samra’s motion to approve the application failed 4-3 with only Councillors Boehlke and Schule supporting him. In my opinion, the application created piecemeal development and was premature. Not to mention, it was pre-determining what the community would like to see happen with those lands without allowing for proper input.
Administration noted that amendments to outline land uses in Conrich’s future policy area were currently in the review process. As a result, a subsequent motion referring the application back to Administration pending a review of the Conrich ASP’s future policy area passed unanimously.
GLENDALE ROAD APPLICATION APPROVED
An application to create an 18 and 17.6-acre parcel from agricultural lands to R-RUR in the Glendale Rd area of Division 3 was approved unanimously. Administration had recommended refusal because the applicants had not provided a concept scheme and the lands required panhandle access.
During the hearing, the applicants addressed the issue of the panhandle access. With regards to the concept scheme, the applicants claimed it would provide limited benefit on such large parcels and that other parcels in the area hadn’t had to do one. Of note, a decade ago, these applicants already had a concept scheme waived when they initially divided their lands, citing at the time that they would not be seeking further redesignation of their lands.
It is true that an 18-acre and 17.6-acre parcel would have nominal impact on the surrounding community, however, the redesignation to R-RUR allows for a parcel to be subdivided into 3.95-acre parcels without a public hearing. As a result, Administration recommended placing a modifier on the redesignation that would restrict further redesignation without a land use amendment and another public hearing. Deputy Mayor Kissel’s motion to approve the application with these requirements passed unanimously.
CALGARY GROWTH MANAGEMENT BOARD PRESENTATION TO COUNCIL
CMRB Board Chair, Greg Clark, and Chief Officer, Jordon Copping made a presentation to
Council, as they are doing for all the member municipalities’ councils. Clark gave a brief history and high-level overview of the process. He also discussed the newly implemented appeal mechanism and the fact that everyone is currently waiting on Minister Ric McIver (Municipal Affairs) to approve the final Regional Growth Plan.
While it is no secret that the previous council was vehemently opposed to the CMRB, it is
becoming increasingly evident that the CMRB is here to stay. One of the key concerns has been Calgary’s veto power and rightly so. However, having the ability to appeal decisions to the Land and Property Tribunal (formerly the Municipal Government Board) provides a more level playing field. I am also really hoping that having Councillor Hanson as Council’s CMRB representative, along with Calgary’s new mayor, allows for a fresh start – one that will focus on creating wins for the whole region and not just Calgary.
