1. Council Orientation October 24, 2017
Development Permits
Council Orientation
October 24, 2017

2. Development Authority
Council
Delegates authority through bylaw MGA S. 624
direct control district
The Municipal Planning Commission (discretionary use permits)
The Development Authority Officers - County staff development officers (permitted use permits)

3. What is Development? Change of Use of the lands
Farming activity to Residential activity
Construction on the lands
Build a house
Moving a building onto lands
Pre-built shed

4. What is a Development Permit(DP)?
A DP is Municipal approval to begin development (Project Approval)
The County is required by the Municipal Government Act to control development through a Land Use Bylaw MGA 639/LUB S. 2.1
The rules for granting a development permit are in the Land Use Bylaw
Not a building permit
Not Provincial approvals

5. When is a DP required?
An approval is required prior to undertaking an activity
For almost all development, except:
Farming activities
Non-structural repairs/maintenance
Fences under 1 m (front) and 1.9 m (side and rear)
Clearing of land
Buildings smaller than 10m2
Temporary RV use
LUB S.2.2

6. Permitted vs Discretionary Uses
Permitted uses
Handled by administration
Meets the regulations of the LUB
Appropriate for the property, and must be approved if specific regulations are met
Not appealable by the public
Residential district examples: single family dwelling, garage, minor home occupation
Discretionary uses
Approved by the Municipal Planning Commission and are appealable by the affected public
May be appropriate for the lands and may be appropriate for the surrounding area
Residential district examples: multi-family homes, bed and breakfast, major home occupation

7. Approval timeline
Municipal Government Act requires a decision within 40 days of acceptance of the application
Permitted use permits are typically approved within 2-3 weeks of the application date
Discretionary Use permits are handled within days depending on the date of the next MPC meeting

8. Approval process An application must include Owner information
Property information
Description of the development
Site plan
Any other studies/relevant information required by the development authority
LUB S. 3.1

9. How a decision is made Permitted Use Applications
The Department reviews the application
Confirms that the proposal is a permitted use that meets the LUB regulations
Issues an approved development permit
Not subject to appeal by the public
Discretionary Use Applications
The Department reviews the application
Confirms that the proposal is a discretionary use
Prepares a report for the MPC with a recommendation
The MPC may agree with the recommendation and approve
The MPC may agree and approve but alter the conditions
The MPC may disagree with the recommendation and refuse the application
The DO issues the decision subject to appeal by the public

10. Variances
Are required when a development is proposed that does not meet the LUB regulations
Garage height of 17’ in the CR District
Building is proposed to close to the property lines
Reviewed by MPC
Decision is advertised
Appealable by the public

11. Refusal of Development
When a development does not meet the regulations of the LUB
Proposal is not suitable for the lands
Development is not compatible with the lands/uses in the area
Refusals may be appealed

12. Subdivision and Development Appeal Board
When a development is appealed
SDAB may uphold an appeal
SDAB may uphold the decision
SDAB may uphold the appeal and impose additional conditions

13. Amendments to the Land Use Bylaw
When a development does not meet the listed uses of the LUB District
If the proposal fits the listed uses of another district, a LUB amendment would re-district the lands
Service Station and Gas Bar on lands Districted Rural Use
A more appropriate District would be Highway Business District
A bylaw amendment is prepared and presented to Council
Is subject to a public consultation process

14. QUESTIONS?