Photo: The County of Stettler Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) approved 24 stand-alone solar panels for a property just outside the Town of Stettler. The decision was made at the Jan. 26 MPC board meeting.

The County of Stettler Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) approved a 24 stand-alone solar panel development permit for a property in Carlisle Estates. The decision was made at the Jan. 26 MPC board meeting.

Readers should note the MPC is comprised of members of county council and chaired by Coun. Justin Stevens.

Board members read a development permit application from Orizon Energy Ltd. requesting the installation of 24 stand-alone solar panels for private utility use at Lot 13 Block 2 Plan 052 5691, which was described several times at the meeting as being located within the Carlisle Estates residential subdivision; Carlisle Estates is located near the southwest corner of the Town of Stettler, north of the Stettler Municipal Airport. Orizon filed the application on behalf of property owner Joshua Nichols.

Development Officer Carly Tateson presented a report noting there were no concerns voiced about the application except regarding the nearby airport. “The surrounding properties are made up of residential and agricultural uses,” stated Tateson’s report, which noted the property in question is zoned country residence equestrian. “The 24 stand-alone solar panels are roughly 14.8’ wide by 39.4’ long by 15.6’ high.

“The stand-alone solar panel array meets all the requirements of the Land Use Bylaw (LUB) and should not interfere with the neighbouring properties.”

Tateson’s report noted that when the development permit application was put out for agency comments, the only concern that came back was the possibility of glare from the solar panels affecting the airport.

Tateson stated that the applicant addressed those concerns by confirming the panels contain anti-glare material. “The panels are made with an anti-reflective coating and specially treated glass to minimize light reflection,” stated Tateson’s report. As well, the application was sent to Nav Canada which replied the proposed development wasn’t large enough or close enough to the airport for the organization to get involved.

Readers should note Nav Canada is a privately run, non-profit corporation that owns and operates Canada's civil air navigation system.

The development officer noted that staff recommended approval of the permit with conditions as the application met LUB and other requirements. Board member Allan Gano asked if neighbours can appeal any MPC approval of this application, to which Director of Planning and Development Craig Teal responded neighbours are not generally given advance notice of MPC decisions, they learn through mail, websites or news sources afterwards although there are some exemptions to this. Teal confirmed that yes, neighbours could appeal an MPC decision.

Board member James Nibourg moved that the development permit be approved, adding that he felt there were already properties in that area with solar panels.

Board member Larry Clarke observed that the Carlisle Estates area is heavily populated and asked if every property could apply for the same solar panel development, to which Teal responded, “Yeah, they probably could.” However, Teal pointed out most solar panels are installed on structures, not stand-alone like this one.

As board members discussed the application, the possibility of solar panel glare complaints connected to the airport was discussed. Teal stated that air safety is an area of provincial and federal control.

Board members approved the development permit application by a 6 to 1 vote, Clarke the lone dissenter.