Photo: The County of Stettler Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) approved a development permit for expansion of some living facilities on a Hutterite colony (marked by red). Rural Alberta Report/Screenshot

The County of Stettler Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) approved a development permit for expansion of some living facilities on a Hutterite colony. The decision was made at the Aug. 20 MPC meeting.

The MPC is comprised of members of county council and chaired by Coun. James Nibourg.

Board members read an application from Lone Pine Hutterite Colony for a development permit for expansion of residential buildings located at NW6-39-17 W4, a parcel of land described as 160.24 acres of agriculturally-zoned land and located northeast of the Town of Stettler.

Development Officer Rich Fitzgerald stated that some older buildings suffered some damage so the colony would like to repair and expand them with the report noting each existing building would have an 18 by 18 foot addition built.

“The Lone Pine Hutterite Colony has existed on the property for several decades, spread out over several quarter sections,” stated the staff report.

“In 2022, the colony applied for and were granted a permit to build two new four-plex housing units. These units are now finished.

“During routine maintenance colony staff discovered some water damage to the rear of the three existing housing complexes that required repair.

“It was decided that during this repair, it would be beneficial to add some living space to the existing dwellings to better accommodate the larger families. The proposed development will add 324 square feet of living space to each dwelling unit.” such as these.

The application included photographs of the water damage which was discovered just below windows on the older residential units.

In his presentation Fitzgerald noted the county’s land-use bylaw (LUB) allows for clustered farm dwellings; he further noted the application was sent to other county departments and no concerns were received.

The development officer clarified that the application doesn’t involve any new buildings but rather these three older residences that are being repaired and expanded.

Bard members unanimously approved the Lone Pine Colony’s development permit application.