Dunn considering changes

County bylaw amendments an option following rural dirt controversy

Posted By Michael Di Massa News Staff

Posted 21 days ago

Strathcona County Coun. Alan Dunn said he is considering proposing amendments be made to the Land Use Bylaw and Municipal Development Plan concerning the movement of dirt on private property after the latest controversy surrounding farmer Charles Hansen.

Dunn said he would like to see area structure plans or conceptual schemes be required for earthwork on the scale of Hansen's operation.

Such documents can be costly and require a certain amount of work be conducted, as well as county approval, prior to official approval, Dunn said.

Residents who live near Hansen's property have complained about the height of topsoil being delivered to his property by an Edmonton area contractor, as well as the noise and dust emanating from the property as a result of the activity. They've also expressed concerns about water runoff from Hansen's property.

The county has gotten involved at the request of the residents and has given Hansen until Dec. 23 to provide a drainage and grading plan to level his property. He also must submit an erosion control plan by that date.

An area structure plan requires that applicants submit a detailed overlay of their property with the proposed changes, down to road and building layout, traffic studies and impacts to the environment. A conceptual scheme is similar, but is less in scope and detail.

The most recent example of a permitted area structured plan is the commercial development on Wye Road just east of Sherwood Drive.

Although Hansen has been a recent spark plug of controversy, Dunn said there are other residents in rural Strathcona County who have had dirt delivered to their property in similar fashion, irking neighbours.

He said a March amendment to the Land Use Bylaw, which essentially states dirt cannot be moved on or off a property without a permit, took a step in the right direction, but wasn't enough.

Hansen received a permit to accept dirt on his property after that March amendment, but it was appealed by residents at the end of September. The permit was allowed to continue by the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board in early October, with conditions that he provide erosion control and drainage and grading plans.

mdimassa@sherwoodparknews.com