NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BYLAW 630/25 – ADOPTING DRAFT WOODLANDS COUNTY LAND USE BYLAW PLACE DATE TIME Woodlands County Municipal Office Tuesday, September 9, 2025 5:15pm Council Chambers 61053A Hwy 33, Fort Assiniboine, AB Woodlands County Municipal Office Wednesday, September 10, 2025 5:15pm Council Chambers #1 Woodlands Lane, Whitecourt, AB Pursuant to the provisions of Section 692 of the Municipal Government Act, the Council of Woodlands County is considering the adoption of Draft Woodlands County Land Use Bylaw No. 630/25 and repealing Bylaw 490/17 Land Use Bylaw with amendments. The purpose of Draft Bylaw 630/25 is to update the current Land Use Bylaw 490/17 document; a highlight of the major proposed changes is as noted below: 1. Consolidation of Land Use Districts – Several similar districts have been combined. For example, the existing Agriculture 1 and Agricultural 2 districts are now consolidated into a single Agriculture “A” district. 2. Streamlined Land Use Definitions – Similar land uses have been grouped to reduce the total number of definitions and enhance clarity. 3. Tree Clearing Regulations – A Development Permit will now be required for most tree-clearing activities. 4. Updated Housing Approach – In certain districts, the number of potential dwellings per parcel has been increased, subject to applicable zoning regulations. 5. Garden Suite Changes – The previous requirement for affidavits has been removed. Applicants may now apply for permanent second homes instead. 6. New Secondary Suite Framework – More flexible options for secondary suites have been introduced, categorized as internal or external based on zoning. 7. Noise Exposure Forecast (NEF) Overlay – An NEF overlay has been added to the zoning map to ensure that noise-sensitive land uses, such as schools, are not developed near CYZU Airport. 8. Renewable and Alternative Energy Development – A new section supports and introduces regulations for renewable and alternative energy initiatives within the County. 9. Computational Processing Facilities – New regulations address the growth of these technologies and their compatibility with surrounding uses. 10. Updated Hazard Land Regulations – Revisions address development in flood-prone areas, steep slopes, and wildfire risk zones. 11. Simplified Subdivision Approval – The CAO (or their designate) has been added as a subdivision authority. This allows administration to approve simple subdivisions, expediting the approval process. Pursuant to Section 606(6) of the MGA and Woodlands County Bylaw 557 Public Hearing Procedures (copy of bylaw can be found on the County Website) any person wishing to file a written submission shall file that submission a minimum of 6 days prior to the date of the public hearing and will be included in the Council agenda package. Written submissions shall be received no later than: 4:30 p.m. on September 4, 2025. Submissions may be mailed or emailed to: Woodlands County, Box 60. Whitecourt AB T7S 1N3 Attention: Planning & Development/Land Use Bylaw Review • Email: [email protected] Written Submission shall be legible, identify the writer, the writer’s address and telephone number, and; not be libelous, impertinent or improper. Or interested individuals may attend the public hearing to voice comments or concerns. Comments shall be kept to 5 minutes unless additional time is authorized by the Chair. If interested parties have questions regarding the draft document, those should be addressed prior to the public hearing. Please contact the Planning & Development Department by Telephone: 780-778-8400 or though the above email. A copy of Bylaw 630/25 Draft Land Use Bylaw may be viewed during regular business hours at the Woodlands County Municipal Offices in Whitecourt at #1 Woodlands Lane or Woodlands County Regional Office in Fort Assiniboine, on Hwy 33 or is available for review on Woodlands County website www.woodlands.ab.ca under Home >Services>Planning & Development>Land Use Bylaw Update
