Redistricting

What is the Land Use Bylaw? What is a Land Use District?

Alberta's Municipal Government Act requires municipalities to have a Land Use Bylaw. The bylaw specifies the uses and activities permitted on specific lands through land use districts.  A land use district is a set of policies which directs the uses and regulations for development of a particular property.  The Redistricting and amendment processes allows for the use of a parcel of land to change over time. Landowners who wish to pursue activities on their land that are not permitted under current districting may apply for land use redistricting or Land Use Bylaw amendment before subdividing or further developing their land. 

It should be noted that a proposed amendment may not be able to be supported by Administration in all instances, please contact a County Planner at 780-968-8888 or subdivision@parklandcounty.com to discuss your proposal. 

What is a Land Use Bylaw Amendment?

Changes to the Land Use Bylaw are called amendments and must be heard by County Council in a formal Public Hearing for the amendment to be approved.  An amendment can propose to amend (change) any portion of the Bylaw this includes:

• the district that applies to a specific property or area;
• proposing a new district; or
• text changes to any of the districts or provisions within the Land Use Bylaw.

What is redistricting?

Redistricting (or rezoning or redesignation) is a type of Land Use Bylaw Amendment and means changing the district that applies to a property or parcel of land under the Land Use Bylaw and is typically a map change within the Land Use Bylaw.

Why amend the Land Use Bylaw or Redistrict land?

You may want to redistrict your land if you want to:

• develop your land in a way that is not allowed under the current district;
• subdivide your land into parcels used for a different purpose; or
• To bring lands into alignment with an approved Statutory Plan.

Redistricting applications

• Amendment application
• Conceptual Scheme application

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.

1. Pre-application consultation: Applicants must discuss their proposal with a Planner in a pre-application meeting. To book your meeting, contact a Planner at 780-968-8888. This meeting is mandatory. Have the legal description of the property for reference and be prepared to discuss your application.
2. Application submitted: The application is submitted with the necessary forms, fees and supporting documentation.
3. Referral: 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.
4. 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).
5. 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.

In many cases development proposals involve amendments to other plans or establishing a Conceptual Scheme or Subdivision.  These applications can be processed and presented to Council together if appropriate.