An application to rezone land for an auto recycling business just north of Stettler along Highway 56 could go to public hearing this summer.
At its regular meeting May 12, County of Stettler council gave first readings to land-use bylaws to establish a direct control district and to rezone a 10-acre parcel of land on the east side of Highway 56 one-half mile north of the Town of Stettler to accommodate East Central Auto Recyclers owned and operated by James Nibourg, located in a prominent highway location where effective screening of the stockpiling yard from highway traffic and a high-quality exterior finishing of the facility are a high priority.
“Direct control provides measures to control unsightly premises and specific design requirements,” said Johan van der Bank, director of planning and development.
“The developer is willing to follow these guidelines.”
Addressing council, the applicant confirmed his committment to maintain a facility that protects the environment.
“We’re moving this industry into an environmentally-proactive business,” said Nibourg, noting that all fluids would be emptied from the vehicle bodies.
If approved, the rezoning to direct control would be to this business and developer only, said van der Bank.
A public hearing would be scheduled after the county discusses the application with the Town of Stettler.
Since the land is located within the inter-municipal development plan for the County of Stettler and the Town of Stettler, the application also requires review by the town.
The bylaw would also add a definition of salvage and recycling facility which would allow the business to transport, store, disassemble, salvage, crush, process, recycle, retail and/or wholesale industrial selling of disabled automotive and associated bodies, machinery, equipment, appliances, and other discarded materials and related scrap steel and parts.
This would enable an office/retail outlet, one or more main storage buildings, ancilliary buildings and a fenced yard, and does not include the traditional meaning of an auto wrecking yard.
County donates in kind to heritage railway to Donalda
Council approved a request to provide in-kind materials such as gravel to re-lay railway line from Stettler to Donalda as part of a major project under East Central Alberta Heritage Society.
Specifically, the county will donate in-kind 40 hours of brushing, 35 hours of grading and 224 hours of packing, excluding the cost of labour and fuel.
“It’s a great economic impact for the whole region,” said Councilor Wayne Nixon, who represents the ward for Donalda and Red Willow.
“This is a significant equipment donation and shows the county’s commitment to ensuring that economic development project like this continue to happen in the area,” said Shawna Benson, director of economic development.
Last fall, the society received over $3.2 million from the federal Community Adjustment Fund through Canadian Badlands for the project that must be completed by spring 2011.
Nixon also reported that many of the landowners oppose the proposed linear parks.