Ponoka County Rezones 15-Acre Parcel Near Highway 821 for Residential Use

Rezoning Approved for SE 1-42-24-W4

Ponoka County Council approved a rezoning request Tuesday for a 15-acre plot in the southeast, moving the land from Agricultural District to a Country Residential Hobby Farm designation.

Deputy Reeve M. Matejka presided over the public hearing, which concluded in four minutes with a unanimous decision to proceed. The land, located at SE 1-42-24-W4, is owned by Jim and Jennifer McLaren.

Why It Matters

The decision allows the owners to move forward with a subdivision of the 15-acre parcel. This specific rezoning to “Hobby Farm” status permits residential use on land previously restricted to larger-scale agricultural operations.

The property includes an original farmsite and an existing approach onto Highway 821. Because the land interfaces with a major roadway, provincial oversight was required to ensure the change wouldn't disrupt traffic flow or safety.

Citizen Input

No residents spoke against the proposal during the hearing. The county reported that no written submissions were received in opposition to the McLaren’s plan.

Applicant Jim McLaren attended the meeting to answer questions from the council, though no residents came forward to challenge the application.

The Debate

The hearing was routine and lacked the friction often seen in land-use changes. Council members focused their review on three primary infrastructure requirements: road access, water availability, and land-use compatibility.

Council found the residential lot compatible with the surrounding area. Alberta Transportation reviewed the plans regarding the Highway 821 access and raised no objections to the increased residential activity at that location.

Attendance and Oversight

Reeve P. McLauchlin was absent from the proceedings. The hearing was attended by Councillors B. Liddle, M. Matejka, D. Weir, and N. Hartford.

Administrative support was provided by Chief Administrative Officer P. Hall and Director of Planning and Legislative Services D. Raugust.

What’s Next

With the rezoning approved, the land is now eligible for the subdivision process. The applicants must fulfill standard county requirements for residential development before any new construction or lot sales can begin.

The next steps involve formalizing the subdivision lines and ensuring the 15-acre parcel meets all Country Residential Hobby Farm district bylaws regarding setbacks and utility placements.