The County of Stettler’s Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) approved a golf simulator and ready-to-move home construction business in Erskine following discussion about road impacts, operating hours and neighbouring residences at its Oct. 20 meeting.

Development permit DP26041 for The Wright Builders Ltd. covers two operations at 26 Railway Avenue. A golf simulator business will occupy the west portion of the existing building, while the east half and adjoining outdoor space will be used to build ready-to-move homes.

The fully automated, membership-based golf facility is expected to serve 12 to 15 customers daily, with its busiest period between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. No staff will be required to operate the facility. The permit requires nine customer parking spaces within a dedicated 250-square-metre area.

The home construction business will operate Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with three to five employees on site. Homes will be sold before construction begins, partially built indoors and moved outside for completion. The permit limits the property to two homes under construction at any given time.

Council members raised concerns about the weight of homes being moved over local roads and the potential for damage to municipal infrastructure.

Craig Teal, director of planning and development, explained that identified infrastructure requirements could be addressed through development permit conditions, with a development agreement serving as the formal mechanism.

All site access, deliveries and shipments must use Macrae Street. Access through the rear alley is prohibited.

The surrounding residential area also prompted discussion about construction noise and operating hours. Administration explained that the applicant had proposed the weekday schedule in recognition of nearby homes, despite the property’s commercial zoning.

Permit conditions prohibit the contractor’s business from creating a nuisance beyond the property boundary through dust, noise, vibration, odours or smoke.

Screening inserts must be added to the six-foot chain-link fence along the north and west boundaries to shield nearby residences from activities behind the building. Outdoor material storage is restricted to supplies used in constructing the ready-to-move homes.

Administration explained that an indoor recreational facility is already a permitted use in the Hamlet Commercial District. A land use bylaw amendment approved in September added a contractor’s business as a discretionary use on this property.

Council carried a unanimous motion to approve development permit as presented by administration, subject to the conditions outlined in the draft permit.