Richard Froese
South Peace News
People living in Big Lakes County on land in the country residential (CR) district may soon be allowed to have livestock on their property.
At its regular meeting April 9, council directed administration to amend the land-use bylaw to allow livestock on land within the CR district.
A Big Lakes resident reported to administration that livestock were being kept on a 5.66-acre parcel in the country residential district, Pat Olansky, director of community services and planning, told council. The number and type of livestock was contrary to the land-use bylaw.
“Agricultural operations, including livestock, are neither a permitted use nor a discretionary use in the country residential district,” Olansky said.
“The keeping of livestock is limited to agricultural lands.”
Reeve Tyler Airth noted a small number of animals on (CR) would be acceptable.
“It will allow them to have some animals,” Airth said.
The proposed bylaw requires a public hearing.
Big Lakes has 113 properties in the CR district, Olansky noted.
The recent infraction was reviewed as stated in her report.
“An enforcement file was created and a subsequent site inspection by the bylaw enforcement officer confirmed there were 14 sheep, one Highland cow and two goats within the property,” Olansky reported.
The Agricultural Operation Practices Act (AOPA) and its associated regulations apply to all agricultural operations in Alberta, she noted.
The purpose of the act is to ensure that the province’s livestock industry can grow to meet the opportunities presented by local and world markets in an environmentally-sustainable manner.
Agricultural land is defined by AOPA as land which can be used for agriculture in either a permitted or discretionary use under the land-use bylaw of the municipality.
“A letter dated March 4, 2025 was sent to the registered owner advising them of the complaint and notification given that the livestock must be relocated or other arrangements must be made for all livestock within 14 days of the notification,” Olansky told council.
A request to extend that deadline to April 15 was approved by Olansky.
“If unable to meet the extended deadline, the owner was encouraged to inform the County,” Olansky said.
The property is currently for sale.
“Upon further discussion with the landowner, it was learned they had relied on the realtor’s opinion that the lot ‘would be ideal’ for keeping livestock,” Olansky added.
The landowner does not reside on the property.
Olansky researched related bylaws in northern municipalities, including the M.D. of Smoky River, the M.D. of Greenview, the M.D. of Lesser Slave River, Northern Sunrise County, Woodlands County and the County of Grande Prairie.
As I understand it, it appears that the current by-law would allow animals on parcels larger than 1 acre, see below.
“On parcels larger than 0.4 ha (1 ac) in area, outdoor animals shall be allowed in accordance with the provisions of the Agricultural Operations and Practices Act.”
The proposed changes would appear to actually restrict livestock more than the current by-law, unless we are majorly misunderstanding something!