DRAFT LAND USE BYLAW 630/25

What is a Land Use Bylaw?

A Land Use Bylaw is a set of regulations which controls development by categorizing all properties in a municipality into various land use districts. It prescribes how land and buildings can be used in those districts and establishes a system for issuing development permits.

Why do we need a Land Use Bylaw?

A Land Use Bylaw is a tool to help ensure that ongoing development in a community aligns with the community's overall vision and to ensure the safety and quality-of-life of the residents. Alberta’s Municipal Government Act (MGA) requires all municipalities to have a Land Use Bylaw. The MGA provides guidance on the structure of Land Use Bylaws, but individual municipalities must create and administer their own documents. 

Current Bylaw

The current Land Use Bylaw 490/17 was approved in 2017 and has been amended to allow for development outside of its parameters. View the document here.

Why is Woodland County updating its bylaw?

We need a land use bylaw that meets the needs of our municipality, its residents, and the business owners/community for the years to come. 

The County has completed an update to our Municipal Development Plan (MDP), and the Land Use Bylaw needs to be revised to align with the overarching direction of the MDP, other policies, and legislation.

The County would like to make this bylaw consistent with our needs and the new MDP while making it easier to understand for our current and future ratepayers. At the same time, we want to review the existing bylaw to identify what’s working and what’s not.

Project Overview - Public Engagement

Timeline of Engagement Activities

• May 1, 2024 – First Ad-hoc LUB Committee Meeting
• June 18–20, 2024 – First Public Engagement Sessions
• September 17, 2024 – Second Ad-hoc LUB Committee Meeting
• October 8–10, 2024 – Second Public Engagement Sessions
• November 27, 2024 – Third Ad-hoc LUB Committee Meeting
• June 18, 2025 – Fourth Ad-hoc LUB Committee Meeting
• June 15–17, 2025 – Third Public Engagement Sessions

The draft bylaw was also circulated to adjacent municipalities, First Nations, and provincial agencies.

Future Key Dates: 

Bylaw First Reading - August 13th, 2025 Regular Council Meeting

Public Hearing Date - September 9th, 2025 @ 5:15PM - Fort Assinibione Regional Office Council Chambers
ALSO September 10th, 2025 @ 5:15PM - Woodlands County Municipal Office (Whitecourt) Council Chambers

Bylaw Second Reading - TBD

Bylaw Final Reading - TBD

Key Changes in the Draft Land Use Bylaw

Given the comprehensive nature of the updated LUB, the following highlights summarize the most significant changes for ease of review:

1. Establishment of Subdivision and Development Authorities

• The LUB formally establishes the Subdivision Authority and Development Authority in alignment with the Municipal Government Act (MGA).
• A new clause enables the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to delegate authority to the Planning and Development Department to approve subdivisions of four lots or fewer, allowing for quicker turnaround times on minor applications.
• The Development Officer is now authorized to consider discretionary use permits, with the ability to refer complex or sensitive applications to the Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) as necessary.

2. Consolidation of Land Use Districts

• Similar districts have been merged to reduce redundancy.
• Example: The former A1 and A2 districts are now consolidated into a single “A” Agricultural District.

3. Streamlining of Land Use Definitions

• Similar or overlapping land uses have been condensed to improve clarity and reduce complexity in interpretation and application.

4. Tree Clearing Regulations

• A Development Permit is now required for most tree clearing activities to promote responsible land management.

5. Updated Housing Approach

• In select districts, the permitted number of dwellings per parcel has been increased, subject to applicable zoning and regulations.

6. Garden Suite Policy Update

• The requirement to provide affidavits for garden suites has been removed.
• Applicants may now apply for permanent second homes, increasing flexibility for homeowners.

7. Secondary Suites

• Introduces a new, more flexible framework for secondary suites, categorized as internal or external, based on their location and zoning context.

8. Noise Exposure Forecast (NEF) Overlay

• A new overlay district has been added to the zoning map to incorporate noise exposure considerations around CYZU Airport.

9. Renewable Energy

• A dedicated section has been included to support and regulate renewable energy development, encouraging sustainable practices.

10. Alternative Energy & Computational Processing Facilities

• Introduces regulations to manage emerging technologies such as data centers and cryptocurrency mining operations, ensuring compatibility with surrounding uses.

11. Hazard Lands

• Updated provisions regarding flood-prone areas, steep slopes, and fire hazard zones to reflect current risk assessments and best practices.

If you have any further questions, comments, or concerns, please contact us at planning@woodlands.ab.ca