MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - The proposed updated Mountain View County land use bylaw (LUB) is scheduled to come back before council next week to consider second and third reading, with changes including an updated definition of selective logging.
The proposed updates are intended to address issues encountered over the past two years and to provide clarification and clear interpretation with the legislation, said reeve Bruce Beattie.
Changes being considered include regulations around such things as dwelling manufactured/modular, secondary suites, dugouts, gravel pits, shipping containers or sea cans, re-application and re-submission intervals, and caveats for development agreements.
The public hearing for the proposed changes was held on July 14 and administration is now working on amendments.
LUB amendments council will consider on Aug. 11 include the following:
• Amend that one shipping container (sea can) in the R-CR and R-F be a permitted use if setbacks and regulations are met.
• Amend the definitions of tree clearing/clear cutting and selective logging to exempt Fire Smart or minor maintenance in environmentally sensitive areas in residential districts.
• Remove the proposed amendment for “all pit operations including crushing” and retain the wording as it exists within the AEP Aggregate Extraction/Processing District that identify how hours of operation for crushing purposes could be extended.
Other changes proposed to the LUB include the following:
• Dugouts - The amendment will allow parcels zoned country residential and residential farmstead to have a dugout without the issuance of a development permit.
• Secondary suites - The proposed changes would allow two secondary suites to be considered on parcels greater than 28.33 hectares when two detached dwelling units exist.
• Additional clarification within Section 5.6.7 Issuance and Validity of Development Permits are proposed to identify a process for when an approving authority should consider an amendment to an issued development permit.
• Caveats for development agreements and restrictive covenants - A new section to include a process for development when development is proposed not in compliance with registered instruments of title.
The LUB changes are being made to bring the legislation into line with the updated provincial Municipal Government Act and with the county’s recently updated municipal development plan.
Council gave first reading to Bylaw No. 21/21 on June 9 and directed administration to set up the July 14 public hearing.
The complete draft of the proposed amended LUB can be viewed on the county’s website.
