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Home My WebLink About2001-03-14 Council Minutesc 03/14/2001 10 30 FAX 403 546 4179 SUNTERRA FARMS Q001/002 sf � SUNT" Z ERRA F A R M S March 14, 2001 The .Land Use Bylaw Revision Committee Knechill County Three Hills, Alberta. Via Fax to 443 5115 Attention Barb Riemer, Development Officer Dear CoTnilffi--e Members, We write in respect to the Draft hand Use Bylaw for lneellilI County first made House last week. We have been unformed by Jennifer Deak that to be considered byte at the Open written responses are required and must be provided to ou b today, by the CO1n�mzttee business days of this draft bylaw first being available t you y, larch 1.4 which is within 5 We have reviewed the proposed bylaw and have asked for and have been rounded the time frame is for expected adoption and becoming law P an indication of what The points that we want to make with you are as follows 1 The aggressive time frame, including very limited opportunity for public review be interpreted as attempting to "ram these changes through'• as quickly consideration for Providing the time or the opportunity for a careful investigation ly aand input can only q y as possible with little of the proposed changes on agri- business in this County In fact it can be argued that changes to the requirements for all livestock related my In fact i are le of the se dramatic review and Implement l at these drarrzatzc P than is Lion ipated to be required to review and processa�.singleeinten intensive Iivestoek development application under it Clearly, on an issue of this importance to all residents of KneehilI, care should full and complete consideration rt all issues ns permitted through of days currezatly allowed for this be given to insure that gh months rather than the limited number 2 The philosophy embodied in the proposed changes is clearly against value ad for the continuance of existzzig operations, then potential expansion and obviously are opposed to thus change lII added food production, g philosophy and all it represents s Y anY new ones We The strength of land values, both agricultural lazed and residential Properties h strongly diversified agricultural econozn strong, especially in Y The schools and local businesses have continued ed to be y areas where there is value added agricultural production Any measures which are taken to prohibit new or reduce existing value added anywhere in Kneehin County we believe d agricultural production Ultimately the future tax base It is not will have serious detrimental effects on the economy and direction and initiative Careful consultation with rate-payers egpayms teach o on Count and before proposing to change the Y ' we oppose this g basis for land use and agricultural business in the area be undertaken Number of Pages, including this one 12 i 03/14/2001 10 30 FAX 403 546 4179 SLIIVTERRA FARMS X1002/002 3 The potential unpact of the proposed changes would be the greatest On farmers in the s of the County where a substantial portion of the value added southwest part know very well, has no elected representative on Council at this production {�� it unacceU�On, as you many fundamental changes to the by Iaw would be attempted to be rushed through at a tipmebw that the is not full representation at all levels for many of the people likely to be affected p p y when there This attempt to dramatically change the land use bylaw should not proceed �e most Kueeh"l County Council is elected to represent the south west region We believe that o pro d the without an elected representative for thus region not only raises serious ethical questions bu legal ones as well proceed q t potential 4 Zt is also surprising and unacceptable that the best agricultural land in- .Kneehill Count lose Its priority for food production under this by law County is proposed to Urban sprawl has clearly chewed up a large quantity of the be farmland in Alberta an Process accelerated by Kneehill County deciding to remove this priority is clearl unaece to have this ' unacceptable All quality agricultural land should be protected for use m food production � 5 The Provincial Government is deliberating over establishing standards and re at operations including a review of the soon to be presented report from the Sustainable Management the Livestock Indus in � ions for livestock the Live County �' Alberta Committee This is the same committee that Mr Hoff, on ehalf of recently made a submission to Proposed changes to the land use bylaw' or indeed be in conflict with new Provincial standards and regulations Y may overlap We believe that it would be prudent to delay any effort to make substantial changes County land use bylaw until after it is clear what the Provincial Goverment will be wide basis Such an a g to the KncehilI matters which approach with would minimize the amount of wasted time and effortdlo doing on a for those will be dealt with provincially 'Wye are also of the opinion that should the Count Proceed to put in place legislation which We in contact with that of the Province and is onerous and discriminatory causing hardship on a local level, It will give rise for conflict against the County to recover funds felt to have been lost as a result r claims to be filed It is clear that there are a number Of reasons to not proceed b the Committee has indicated in this Draft Land use l3 y � method or in the direction that the full and proper elected representation of all of the County is resent on Bylaw We believe the County should not proceed until Council then has the opportunity to evaluate the expected new Provincial legislation. P Krzochill Council, and this full should a careful public process be undertaken to evaluate all potential Provincial local le and their related impact. This process must insure that there will ti the Opportunity Oizey after this, Payers to become fully informed, to have adequate time to evaluate and to judge legislative initiatives the potential changes mean to them and to the County overall, and then to make nity for all affected rate their elected representatives We believe anything 1 ge for themselves what but raises some questions s potential ,ability g less not only may be a waste their Of a and r known to time and resources, Yours truly, Dave Price Sunterra Farms March 14, 2001 Sunterra Farms Limited Box 266 Acme, AB TOM OAO Attentibn Mr. Dave Price Dear Mr Price Kneehill County 232 Main Street Post Office Box 400 Three Hills Alberta TOM 2AO FAXED 546 4179 Re: Kneehill Coun Draft Land Use B 1aw In response to your March 13, 2001 letter regarding the County's Land Use new draft Land Use Bylaw, I would like to offer the following information Bylaw Review and Points made in your letter in response to the 1 There appears to be some confusion on our process for this proposed revised Land Use �v, h The regard. to the bylaw approval November 1999 This issue was also discussed with ratepayers began ast review Division Meetings held in February 2000 and 2001 last two annual Bylaw meeting is to further review this draft, taking Into econsider consideration he feedback input received from our ratepayers at the March 7 2001 Land Use Bylaw O ck and Council has scheduled April 10, 2001 for first reading of this proposed bylaw en Once reading is approved the bylaw will be available to any interested first distributed to the relevant government departments and adjacent muncn addition to being comments Council anticipates a time frame of six to eight weeks for receiving feed on this document The next step m he process will be to hold a Public Hearing, which g back will be properly advertised, as per Municipal Government Act g available at he Public Hearing for- comments on this proposed bylaw o Following ll to be Public Hearing, Council will determine, by a majority vote, whether to approve he b la w as presented, approve the bylaw with amendments or rescind the bylaw Any changes made to the proposed bylaw between first and subsequent readings will require the appropriate amendments and Public Hearing, which must be made according to the Municipal Government Act (S692). Given the above information on the time line for thus Land Use bylaw, your comment about the "aggressive time frame" is not appropriate noriustified. Phone 443 5541 Calgary 263 8118 Fax No 443 5115 email a.i kneehillQtelusplanet:net 2 The proposed Land Use Bylaw has addressed numerous aspect of land use — hamlets, recreational trails, industnal/commercial and agricultural developments Council is committed to agriculture and clearly states this in its planning documents 3 Currently, and until the October 2001 election, all County ratepayers are represented by all six elected officials. Each Councillor represents the entire County The divisional boundaries are for election purposes only It is a gross misconception to assume a Councillor only represents his/her electoral division 4 V J will require further clarification to comment on your remark that, `It is surprising and unacceptable that the best agricultural land in Kneehill County is proposed to lose its priority for food production under this bylaw Kneehill County clearly states its support for agriculture in its Municipal Development Plan, which outlines the long term goals and objectives for the County The County's Land Use Bylaw provides the operating mechanism to achieve these objectives tap 5 Under the Municipal Government Act, local municipalities are responsible for planning and development within their boundaries. Local governments work in partnership with the provincial government to ensure planning objectives are met. Local governments are consistently addressing their bylaws to conform with provincial and federal legislation. This proposed Land "Use Bylaw is not in conflict with current provincial legislation. Your comments regarding potential claims against the County for lost revenues are unfounded and unacceptable Council is not self serving and must consider all of its ratepayers and the diverse agricultural aspects of the region A balance must be achieved Council's planning vision has been reflected in this proposed Land Use Bylaw This vision encompasses a blend of agriculture that enhances the environment and meets the socio economic needs of all the residents In conclusion, Council has carefully reviewed its planning documents and the proposed changes to its Land Use Bylaw have been made after careful consideration, due diligence and in good faith Yours truly, EEI-iILL COUNTY J fer eak, CLGM unicipal Administrator