The County of Stettler has given first reading to Bylaw 1677-22 at their April 13, 2022 meeting. The Bylaw is now being advertised and posted for public review.
Bylaw 1677-22 proposes the following amendments to various sections of Land Use Bylaw 1443-10, as amended:
Amend Section 8 of the Land Use Bylaw to include the following definition:
DATA PROCESSING CENTRE: means a building, dedicated space within a building, or a group of buildings used to house computer systems and associated infrastructure and components for the digital transactions required for processing data. This includes, but is not limited to cryptocurrency, digital currency processing, non-fungible tokens, and blockchain transactions.
Amend Part 6 General Land Use Regulations by adding Section 55A Data Processing Centre as follows:
55A (i) The period of time for which a development permit for a Data Processing Centre is valid shall be at the discretion of the Development Authority. Within the Agricultural District (A), this period of time shall not exceed five (5) years.
55A (ii) The exterior finish of the building (s) shall be to the satisfaction of the Development Authority.
55A (iii) Screening of the development in the form of landscaping, fencing or other suitable screening materials may be required by the Development Authority.
55A (iv) A noise impact assessment may be required by the Development Authority. If deemed necessary by the Development Authority, noise mitigation measures including a noise monitoring system may be required as part of the conditions of approval.
55A (v) A Data Processing Centre operating in conjunction with an onsite power generation facility (plant) shall provide written notice from the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) that the power generation facility meets all AUC requirements. If the facility is deemed exempt from AUC regulations, a written letter of confirmation from AUC indicating that the facility is exempt must be provided by the applicant at the time the application is made.
55A (vi) A Data Processing Centre operating in conjunction with an onsite power generation facility (plant) shall be setback a minimum distance of 1,200 m from the exterior wall of any existing dwelling unit(s).
55A (vii) Notwithstanding the above, the setback distance may be reduced if a noise impact assessment and/or noise mitigation plan and/or the design of the development is deemed sufficient to mitigate the impact of noise on other lands and uses in proximity to the development to the satisfaction of the Development Authority.
55A (viii) A mitigation plan shall be provided at the time of development permit application addressing any potential nuisance factors including excessive noise, odour, traffic, dust, emissions, heat and other impacts to the satisfaction of the Development Authority.
By amending Section 92 Agricultural District (A) as follows –
Section 92.3 Discretionary Use
• Add “Data Processing Centres”
By amending Section 94 Commercial District (C) as follows –
Section 94.3 Discretionary Use
• Add “Data Processing Centres”
By amending Section 105 Industrial District (I) as follows –
Section 105.3 Discretionary Use
• Add “Data Processing Centres”
Copies of the proposed Bylaw and Land Use Bylaw 1443-10 are available on the County website.
A public hearing for Bylaw 1677-22 has been scheduled for Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at 1:00 pm or soon thereafter.
You are welcome to join the public hearing in the following ways:
In Person:
County of Stettler No. 6, Administration Building, Council Chambers 6602-44 Avenue Stettler, AB
On YouTube:
www.YouTube.com/StettlerCounty
By Zoom:
www.StettlerCounty.ca/Zoom
By Phone:
587-328-1099 Meeting ID: 237 185 7702 Passcode: 660244
The public hearing will be chaired by the Reeve. Persons wishing to join by Zoom or teleconference will be asked to state their name and address for the record upon being recognized by the Chair. Council will hear verbal or written submissions from any person who claims to be affected by the proposed Bylaws. Persons may make oral presentations in person, via Zoom or via teleconference at the hearing, regardless of whether or not they have provided written comments prior to the hearing.
Comments on the Bylaws may be submitted prior to the public hearing up to May 10, 2022.
For more information about the proposed Bylaws or the upcoming public hearing or to send in comments, please contact:
Jacinta Donovan, Director of Planning Services, County of Stettler No.6
Email: jdonovan@stettlercounty.ca
Phone: 403-742-4441 Extension 119
Mail: Box 1270, 6602 – 44 Avenue, Stettler, AB, T0C 2L0