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What is redistricting?
Redistricting (or rezoning or redesignation) means changing the district that applies to a property or parcel of land under the Land Use Bylaw.
The land use districting of a property specifies the:
- purpose of the land
- permitted and discretionary uses of the land
- general regulations (e.g., development setbacks, parcel size, building allowances and other special considerations)
Why redistrict land?
You may want to redistrict your land if you want to:
- develop your land in a way that is not allowed under your current district
- subdivide your land into parcels used for a different purpose
Alberta's Municipal Government Act requires municipalities to have a Land Use Bylaw. The bylaw specifies the uses and activities permitted on specific lands. The use of a parcel of land may change over time. Landowners who wish to pursue activities on their land that are not permitted under current districting must apply for land use redistricting before subdividing or further developing their land.
Redistricting applications
Application process
The following outlines the general process for redistricting applications. Potential applicants are required to arrange a pre-application meeting with a Planner. This meeting is mandatory in order to review application requirements prior to submission and to ensure a timely process. To arrange such a meeting, please call 780-968-8443. For this meeting, an applicant should have the legal description of the subject property and should be prepared to discuss the intent of the application.
Review a flow chart outlining the Amendment Approval Process. More detailed amendments follow the Conceptual Scheme Approval Process.
- Pre-application consultation: Applicants must discuss their proposal with a Planner in a pre-application meeting. To book your meeting, contact a Planner at 780-968-8443. This meeting is mandatory. Have the legal description of the property for reference and be prepared to discuss your application.
- Application submitted: The application is submitted with the necessary forms, fees and supporting documentation.
- Circulation: Information regarding the application is sent to various agencies and adjacent landowners, if applicable, for their comments. The comments are considered during the application's evaluation.
- Evaluation of application: Planning and Development Services reviews the application for missing information; assesses the suitability of the site and the likely impact of the proposal on adjacent properties; reviews any existing County policies and statutory documents that apply and conducts a site visit. Following the detailed evaluation process, a date is set for Council to consider the application (First Reading).
- Council: Proposed changes or rezoning of the Land Use Bylaw must reflect the policies of the Municipal Development Plan and any relevant area structure plans. Redistricting (rezoning) land requires Council to give first, second and third reading to the redistricting application. A Public Hearing is scheduled between the First and Second Reading for public input.
- First Reading - Council reviews the principle of the application and, if satisfied, will ask for the scheduling of a Public Hearing.
- Public Hearing - identifies and addresses concerns relating to a rezoning application prior to Council giving second reading.
- Second Reading - Council reviews the results of the Public Hearing, and if satisfied that all issues have been addressed, will give second reading.
- Third Reading - is only given when Council is fully satisfied that all issues pertaining to the rezoning application have been addressed. The redistricting is complete when Council gives third and final reading of the bylaw.