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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. � Page 3 of 4 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 �C.����-�✓ , 2019. � � ai man � C' Director of orpo Services Page 4 of 4