Richard Froese
South Peace News
Big Lakes County has redrafted a land-use bylaw that would allow people living in a country residential (CR) district to have livestock on their property.
At its regular meeting June 11, council gave first reading to the proposed amended bylaw to allow designated livestock on county residential land.
Council defeated second reading of the previous proposed bylaw during its regular meeting May 14 after a public hearing. Pat Olansky, director of community services and planning, remionded council.
“By council not giving it second reading, we start the whole process over,” Olansky said.
Another public hearing is scheduled for July 23 at 1 p,.m.
“The only addition is the inclusion of rabbits and a disclaimer that unweaned calves, foals, lambs, (goat) kids, and piglets are not considered to be animal units,” Olansky said.
“The recommended amendment generally aligns with, and in some cases is less restrictive than, regulations from other Alberta rural municipalities.”
Under the new proposal, in the country residential district, on parcels of land larger than 0.4 ha (one acre) in area, livestock shall be limited to no more than one (1) animal unit per 0.4 ha (1 ac), to a maximum of six (6) animal units per parcel as defined by the table (in the bylaw).
The number and type of animals allowed may be mixed but the total number of animals allowed shall not exceed the sum of the total number of animal units allowed.
Administration proposes that one animal unit includes:
-One cow
-One horse
-Two sheep, goats, pigs (excluding wild boars).
-12 poultry – chickens, ducks, geese.
-20 rabbits.
Several examples of how other rural municipalities in the region manage livestock in country residential districts were presented to council at the April 9 regular meeting.
Additional research confirmed that ‘animal units’ is the standard metric used for determining the allowable number of livestock on parcels in a country residential district.
Administration maintains the animal units remain as proposed by council in the initial bylaw amendment.
After second reading was defeated, council directed administration to provide additional information, taking into consideration all public comments received during the public hearing.
“With the defeat of the second reading, administration must now reintroduce a new bylaw for first reading and repeat all required steps, including holding another public hearing,” Olansky said.
About 15 people attended the public hearing May 14 and expressed many views.
Residents stated that:
- The proposed limit on allowable animal units per lot should be increased.
- Council should promote animal husbandry and animal welfare instead of limiting numbers.
- They do not want to see the allowable numbers continually changing.
- Council is going in the right direction and numbers should be limited.
- There are environmental issues to be considered, rather than just the number of animal units.
Big Lakes has about 133 CR properties.
Properties within the CR district would be permitted to keep a specified number of livestock on lots of a certain size.
“If properly regulated, neighbour conflicts concerning the keeping of animals can be minimized,” Olansky said.
“With the adoption of the amended land-use bylaw and reduced number of subdivisions allowed on agricultural land, there will likely be more new country residential lots.”