Locals had their say on the proposed amendment to land use bylaw 6-2002 at a public meeting hosted by Athabasca County councillors on Oct. 27.
If passed, the bylaw would rezone a quarter of land located on Market Road west of Boyle from agricultural to heavy industrial.
The rezoning of the parcel is required to accommodate a pair of individuals looking to establish a vehicle recycling yard on the parcel of land.
Council passed a bylaw in late August concerning the operations of such yards, defined as a development that is used for the “disassembling, crushing or storing of used motor vehicles,” which includes the sales of parts taken from the vehicles.
In support of the rezoning was Landus Hardy and Ken McLeod, co-owners of McLeod Services and Contracting.
McLeod spoke first, explaining that the pair operates a similar facility in Fort McMurray, which employs 11 people. He said that for the Boyle operation they might also look at renting small tools and equipment, such as generators, as there is a need from the cottagers in the area.
Hardy added that they would look to bring someone from Boyle up to their Fort McMurray operation during the winter for training, to potentially start up operations in the spring.
Councillor Jack Dowhaluk asked how many vehicles they would expect at the facility and the potential environmental impact of fluids such as used oil and glycol.
McLeod said that their one-acre McMurray facility that is currently half-full has about 130 cars, which are not stacked. He added that having been in the business for 31 years makes him knowledgeable about the disposal of waste liquids. Waste oil and old fuel would be burned in an incinerator if it cannot be recycled, while antifreeze and extra tires would be picked up by the province.
Councillor Larry Armfelt expressed concerns over the hours of operation, as nearby residents may be affected by loud noises in the evening, to which McLeod said they plan to run the Boyle operation as an ‘8 to 5’, with potential to be open on Saturdays.
Dowhaluk followed up with a question regarding what the pair plans to do with the rest of the 160-acre parcel of land.
McLeod explained they would probably use a maximum of 20 acres for their operation, with the remainder rented out for grazing animals. He added that they may look into storing RVs but it would depend on demand.
Those opposed to the new development presented their case next.
The resident living on an acreage kitty corner to the proposed yard, Don Alexander, said he was not opposed to new industry coming to the area, but questioned why it would be done so close to the village when there are other parcels already zoned for industry.
He cited the Alberta-Pacific turn off on Highway 55 as one area that would be perfect for the new development.
“I believe there’s enough industry already,” he said, adding that there are already issues with noise and traffic on Market Road with the companies currently operating.
“We enjoy our acreage very much, but it used to be a quiet area,” he said. “Our dreams are being eroded in the name of progress.”
John Peale, who lives on the quarter of land north of the proposed yard, voiced his opposition next.
Much like Alexander, he said there were already areas zoned for industry close by, and that they should be filled up first before rezoning the agricultural areas.
He then questioned how many environmental reviews of auto yards have been done in the area, and that council should look at their impacts before moving forward.
He added the issue of pipeline right of ways going through the land, explaining that machinery would not be able to travel over the pipelines, making the land ineffective for such a facility.
Council thanked those who attended and offered up their side of the story.
After the hearing, Dohawluk motioned for second reading of the bylaw amendment but proposed that council should wait for the full council to make a final vote on the issue, especially since Doris Splane, the councillor who represents the Boyle area, was not present at the meeting.
They unanimously passed second reading.
Included in the package was a letter of support for the development from Alberta Energy Corridor.
