HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-11-21 Municipal Planning Commission (Regular) Minutes COUNTY OF NEWELL
MUNICIPAL PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
November 21, 2019
The regular Municipal Planning Commission Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the
County Office at Brooks, AB on Thursday, November 21, 2019 commencing at 10:00 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: M. Douglass, Reeve
C. Amulung, Councillor, M.P.C. Chair
T. Fyfe, Councillor, Vice M.P.C. Chair
A.M. Philipsen, Councillor
H. Kallen, Councillor
W. Hammergren, Councillor
K. Christman, Councillor
E. Unruh, Councillor
B. de Jong, Councillor
L. Juss, Councillor
ABSENT:
STAFF: K. Stephenson, CAO
L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services
M. Jackson, Supervisor of Planning & Development
S. Simpson, Development Clerk
P. Elliott, Administrative Assistant, Planning & Development
OTHERS IN B. Parker, Brooks Bulletin
ATTENDANCE: R. Tourigny, Canadian Solar
1. CALL TO ORDER
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.
2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING
All members were present.
3. MINUTES
3.1 November 7, 2019 Meeting Minutes
P-90/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HUBY KALLEN that the minutes of the November 7, 2019
Municipal Planning Commission meeting be adopted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
Municipal Planning Commission
November 21,2019
4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS
The Chairman called for post agenda items.
5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
P-91/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LIONEL JUSS that the agenda be adopted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
6. DEVELOPMENT PERMITS
6.1 DP 2019085 -SE/SW 24-18-13 W4M & NE/NW 13-18-13 W4M, Construction of
a solar array facility.
The Development Clerk provided background information on the proposed permit
application.
R. Tourigny described the project. He stated that Tilley and the County of Newell
is an exceptional area for the operation of so/ar facilities.
MPC asked what changes or technical items would be required from Canadian
So/ar when they reapply to the A/berta Utilities Commission (AUC). R. Tourigny
exp/ained that they did not have to reapply but are required to apply for an
extension.
MPC requested clarification on the setback variances being requested. The
Development C/erk indicated that the setbacks were listed on the MPC report
under Conditions, item i. The Development C/erk clarified that the applicant is
requesting zero setback to the interior property lines. The applicant is also
requesting that MPC grant a setback relaxation from the registered right of ways
if the applicant obtains proximity agreements from the owners of the right of way.
MPC inquired if the company had a reclamation plan and how they will
decommission the facility at the end of its lifespan. R. Tourigny indicated that the
A/berta Government has developed stricter guidelines for a solar company to
follow throughout the life of the project. The company is required to complete a
pre-construction site assessment and will have to turn the land back to its original
state as part of the decommissioning process at the end of the project's life.
In response to a question from MPC, R. Tourigny explained that during the life of
the project, they will try to preserve the native vegetation around the solar panels,
but any planting will be with a grass that will not grow taller than the panels.
They will remove vegetation only where necessary.
MPC asked where the nearest residence was to the proposed facility. The
Supervisor of Planning &Development indicated that the nearest house was
located almost 1 mile from the so/ar location. R. Tourigny indicated this is well
outside of the boundaries required to measure the solar acoustics.
Page 2 of 4
Municipal Planning Commission
November 21,2019
P-92/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HUBY KALLEN That the Municipal Planning Commission
APPROVE Development Permit 2019085, for the construction of a solar array facility,
subject to the conditions outlined below.
DP 2019085 is Approved for the following reasons:
1. The proposed development complies with the Municipal Development Plan.
2. The Development Authority is satisfied that the proposed development is suitable for
the purpose for which it is intended under the Agricultural District (Schedule 2) and
Standards of Development (Schedule 3) as specified in the County of Newell Land
Use Bylaw 1892-17.
3. No objections have been received from adjacent landowners or referral agencies with
respect to the proposed development.
Conditions of Development Approval
a. This approval is effective as of December 12, 2019 (21-day appeal period).
b. The development must be located as shown on the site plan approved with the
application and submitted October 4, 2019. It must be built according to the
description provided with this approval. Any changes shall require the written approval
of the Development Authority.
c. The developer must start construction before December 12, 2020. In the event that
this date cannot be met, the developer may be required to apply for a new permit.
d. All additional structures brought to the site will require a separate Development Permit
application and approval.
e. The applicant must submit an Alberta Environment and Parks amended referral report
prior to construction.
f. The applicant must submit their extended AUC approval prior to construction.
g. The applicant must maintain a 10 ft (3 m) setback from all rights-of-way on the parcel
unless a proximity agreement has been obtained from the owner of the right-of-way.
h. The applicant shall submit the Water Act Approval for the site, prior to construction
commencing.
i. That no building or structure involved with the solar array facility is used for living
purposes.
j. That access can be provided for Emergency Services vehicles to all sides of the
buildings. Furthermore, the developer must provide an Emergency Response Plan, to
the satisfaction of the County Fire and Emergency Services Coordinator, prior to
starting up operations.
k. That the applicant shall meet with County of Newell Agricultural Services to prepare a
vegetation and maintenance plan for the site; these plans must be approved by
County of Newell Agricultural Services, prior to construction commencing.
I. That the applicant must install a temporary rural address sign at the road approach to
the site as soon as construction starts. The sign must display the rural address as
assigned by the County in the letter that will be mailed to the applicant after the permit
has been approved. No other address may be displayed on the site. The sign must
remain in place and in full view until it is replaced by a County of Newell issued rural
address sign.
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Municipal Planning Commission
November 21,2019
The proposed development must comply with:
a) The provisions pertaining to the Agriculture District and all relevant schedules, as �_
outlined in the County of Newell Land Use Bylaw 1892-17.
b) All Federal, Provincial and Municipal statutes, regulations, codes and standards.
c) All Alberta Building Codes and Safety Codes, where applicable.
MOTION CARRIED
7. POST AGENDA ITEMS
There were no post agenda items.
8. IN CAMERA
There were no in camera items.
9. QUESTION PERIOD
10. ADJOURN
Being that the agenda matters have been concluded the meeting adjourned at 10:12 a.m.
Signed by the Chairman and Director of Corporate Services this �day of
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