Photo: The County of Stettler approved a three-acre residential subdivision north of Stettler. Conditions include removing an old septic tank, improving sightlines and paying an estimated $728.40 municipal reserve contribution. Screenshot

The County of Stettler Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) has approved the creation of a three-acre residential parcel approximately 4.9 kilometres north of Stettler at its Sept. 16 council meeting.

The property is about 4.9 kilometres west of Highway 56. Township Road 39-4 borders its southern boundary and Range Road 20-1 runs along the eastern boundary.

The land is within the County’s Agricultural District and consists mainly of gently rolling farmland. The proposed bare parcel is intended for the future construction of a residence using a holding tank and hauled sewage service.

The subdivision will create the third private title within the quarter-section. County planning policy permits a maximum of three private titles per quarter-section.

Both the proposed parcel and the remaining agricultural property meet the minimum parcel-size requirements under the Municipal Development Plan and Land Use Bylaw.

An earlier residence on the proposed parcel has been demolished, but a decommissioned septic tank and pump-out system remain on the site. The approval requires the applicants to remove the tank and provide proof of its removal to the County.

Two abandoned gas wells are located elsewhere on the property. County planning staff determined the proposed parcel meets the required setbacks from both wells.

The subdivision will use an existing access from Range Road 20-1. A second access serves the remaining agricultural parcel.

During the Sept. 16 meeting, administration told the commission that vegetation near the accesses was limiting sightlines. As a condition of approval, the applicants must work with the County Operations Department to clear trees, underbrush and stumps to provide 160-metre sight distances.

No new culverts are required.

The subdivision is also subject to a municipal reserve payment. The required reserve represents 10 per cent of the proposed three-acre parcel, equal to 0.3 acres.

Using the County’s land value of $2,428 per acre, the cash payment is estimated at $728.40. The final amount will be determined using the parcel size shown on the completed subdivision plan.

No contribution to the County’s Rural Development Fund is required because the new parcel is less than five acres.

County departments and outside agencies reported no objections to the application. No comments were received from adjacent landowners.

The commission approved the application with the recommended conditions. Outstanding property taxes must also be paid before the subdivision can be completed.