Plans by the owner of a trucking business located southwest of High Prairie to expand its services has been denied by Big Lakes council after hearing concerns from neighbours.

At its regular meeting Aug. 12, council defeated second reading to proposed Lland-use Bylaw 18-2026 to amend the bylaw to redistrict part of NW 10-74-17-W5 located southwest of High Prairie to rural industrial (RI) district from agriculture district.

The applicant currently operates an industrial trucking company as a major home occupation on a portion of the property and is proposing to utilize the existing shop for commercial truck repairs, Pat Olansky, director of community services and planning, told council.

“The Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council (AMVIC) requires confirmation from the municipality that the development complies with the land-use bylaw,” Olansky said.

Located on the southeast corner of Range Rd. 173 and Township Rd. 742, the existing business was previously approved as a discretionary use within the agriculture district.

“However; general industrial operations are neither permitted nor discretionary in this district,” Olansky added.

The addition of repair services expands the scope of the business and therefore requires a new development permit, which has been submitted.

“Such a permit can only be issued if the shop yard is first redistricted to the rural industrial district,” Olansky said.

“Redistricting is the first step in approving the use of the shop for repairs as required by AMVIC.

“The proposed bylaw amendment would apply only to the portion of the parcel currently used for the trucking operation.”

Council made the decision after a public hearing.

Three submissions in opposition were submitted, one included in Olansky’s report, and two through the county’s website.

Gary Ferleyko and Joanne Wilson, who live across from the business, say the added services would hinder life in the area.

“We are concerned about the negative impacts rural industrial designation will have on our quiet agricultural neighbourhood,” the letter states.

“With heavy commercial traffic, noise, dust and safety hazards, Gilwood Rd. is not designed to handle frequent heavy-haul vehicles.

“Industrial operations belong in dedicated industrial parks with proper infrastructure, not embedded in a farming zone.”

Local resident Gord Olson spoke against the bylaw amendment online.

“It becomes a safety issue,” Olson says.

“The road was not designed for heavy truck traffic.”

He adds the land-use amendment would have another negative impact on property in the area.

“It has an effect on residential land values,” Olson says.

“This wouldn’t conform to the neighbourhood.”

Another person spoke and expressed concerns about additional traffic and the potential risks on the roadway, infrastructure, the environment, drainage and a

Richard Froese
South Peace News