Town of Oyen council hears opposition to residential acreage

By Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Your West Central Voice

The Town of Oyen council heard opposition to a residential acreage from a resident who claims the municipality didn't gather proper public input about such developments. The presentation was made at the May 12 regular meeting of council.

Resident Darrell Tompkins appeared before council to ask elected officials to consider revising their land use bylaw's (LUB) "residential acreages" section. Tompkins stated there are three "residential acreages" in town, two of them located in industrial areas such as the vet clinic and concrete plant.

Acreage concern. Resident Darrell Tompkins, bottom left, spoke to Oyen town council about a residential acreage that concerns him May 12. Screenshot

However, Tompkins stated that the third residential acreage is located on 5th Ave. W next to a pond and a church with other residences nearby, "...so it's really in a residential area," said Tompkins.

Tompkins made several statements about a structure that was approved for the property as well, claiming that its application size versus its actual size didn't match. Tompkins also claimed that since neighbours weren't notified of the structure despite a requirement to do so, the structure's development permit had been revoked, and no one at the May 12 council meeting disputed this statement.

The parcel in question subsequently had its zoning changed to residential acreage as the Town of Oyen had also made changes to its LUB, and under those changes structures such as the one in question were given "permitted" uses rather than a "discretionary" use.

Readers should note that in the world of planning and development, a "discretionary" use is one that may be allowed if the town council allows it after consideration. A permitted use is automatically approved, but as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Sacha Martens pointed out, would still need further approvals such as a development permit.

Tompkins stated that he doesn't feel the residential acreages in Oyen are similar and shouldn't be treated as such. He pointed out the third residential acreage has recently had a commercial/industrial business start up on the property and there is an industrial storage unit on the property, and Tompkins stated the amount of storage being permitted on that property is too much.

Tompkins stated that changes to the LUB permitting this residential acreage have lowered his own property's value.

At this point Coun. Jack Hauck noted that the vet clinic residential acreage is actually zoned industrial, so it shouldn't be used for comparison.

Tompkins responded that perhaps residential acreage should have been left as a discretionary use, because if the property in question was allowed, others could be too. Tompkins went further and said more consultation should have been done with neighbours before the LUB changes were made.

Coun. Hauck interjected and noted multiple community consultation meetings were held in Oyen to discuss LUB changes. Tompkins responded he attended one meeting but not a second one and also stated that one notification was sent out in an email.

Mayor Doug Jones observed that with a newly elected council and newly hired CAO, the council has its hands full with lots to do, but that the LUB could be looked at perhaps by next fall.

Before wrapping up his presentation Tompkins noted he didn't want to see any more buildings approved for that property. However, it was pointed out certain buildings are permitted uses for residential acreages in the bylaw.