Title
9:30 a.m. Appointment - Reconvene Public Hearing - Bylaw 2021-22 Solar Farm Amendment to Land Use Bylaw 2017-18
Proposed Motion
That the public hearing for Bylaw 2021-22 be further recessed to reconvene on January 25, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. at Parkland County Centre, Council Chambers.
Body
Administration Recommendations
Administration supports the proposed motion, as presented.
Purpose
At the December 14, 2021 Council meeting, Council held a scheduled public hearing for Bylaw 2021-22. Council recessed the public hearing to gather additional information from Parkland County's Agricultural Service Board. Council scheduled the public hearing to reconvene at a regular scheduled Council meeting at 9:30 a.m. on January 11, 2022 to receive the additional information. Due to scheduling of Parkland County's Agricultural Service Board meetings, administration is unable to present information requested by Council for the January 11, 2022 public hearing. Administration respectfully requests that Council reconvene the public hearing at the scheduled January 11, 2022 Council meeting at 9:30 a.m. to further recess the public hearing to reconvene on January 25, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. at Parkland County Centre in Council Chambers at the regularly scheduled meeting of Council.
Background
Administration received a Land Use Bylaw Amendment Application from Eins Development Consulting Ltd. and Voltarix Group on May 27, 2021. The application proposes an amendment to Land Use Bylaw (2017-18) that would expand opportunities for solar farm development beyond the existing permitted use within the AGI - Agricultural Industry Development District. Bylaw 2021-22 was brought before council on August 24, 2021 at which time council voted in favor of tabling the motion to receive a first reading until after the October 18, 2021 municipal election. On October 26, 2021 Bylaw 2021-22 received first reading and set a Public Hearing date of December 14, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. in Council Chambers.
On December 14, 2021, a public hearing was held for Bylaw 2021-22. Council recessed the public hearing to reconvene on January 11, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. to have Parkland County's Agricultural Service Board's input included as part of the public hearing pertaining to Bylaw 2021-22.
Summary
The proposed amendment will add "Solar Farm" as a discretionary use to the AGG - Agricultural General District and the AGR - Agricultural Restricted District, and outline new specific use regulations to ensure land use compatibility. Adding the "Solar Farm" Use Class as a discretionary use to the above noted agricultural districts provides the County with the authority to review "Solar Farm" proposed uses in these districts on a case-by-case basis, and ensures that the County retains the oversight necessary to ensure that any proposed "Solar Farm" use is in alignment with the County's Municipal Development Plan and other guiding legislation. The detailed summary is provided in Attachment 5 - Administrative Report, and the proposed amendment is shown in Attachment 6 - Land Use Bylaw with Redlined Amendment.
As part of the Land Use Bylaw Amendment Application, the applicant was required to submit a summary of research used to inform the amendment and a summary of the public consultation that was completed. The applicant assessed the Land Use Bylaws of each of the municipalities within the Edmonton Metropolitan Region and throughout southern Alberta in order to determine if and how solar farms are incorporated within existing policy in the area (Attachment 7 - Background Report). Public engagement for this amendment was conducted by the applicant via a virtual open house on June 17, 2021 (Attachment 8 - Land Use Bylaw Text Amendments Community Consultation Summary & Attachment 9 - Public Engagement: Detailed Log).
Strategic Plan/Policy/Legal/Staff Implications:
The proposed amendment is consistent with the goals of the Municipal Development Plan 2017-14 and Council's Long Term Strategic Plan, including the Strategic Economic Diversification pillar.
Financial Impact:
Cost: $0
Source of Funding: Private development