Reeve Upham declared the public hearing open at 11:18 a.m.
Krystle Fedoretz informed Council that the public hearing has been advertised according to section 203 of the M.G.A. and the adjacent landowners were notified via letterpost.
Krystle then informed Council that the purpose of the public hearing is to discuss Bylaw No. 2014-24 as it relates to rezoning the S 1/2 SE 6-57-6-W4 from Agricultural to Industrial Commercial. There were 7 people in attendance for the public hearing.
Krystle Fedoretz read a written submission from Aarbo Ranching regarding the proposed rezoning. Ms. Aarbo agrees with the proposed development but would like the County to implement a bylaw with restrictive covenants prior to the rezoning being approved. She feels this development should fall under a well laid out plan for the Gateway from the East and West on highway 646 meeting with highway 41. Ms. Aarbo also suggested that the land should be developed with an esthetically appealing office and shop with professional frontages facing the highway.
There were no other written submissions in favor of the proposed rezoning.
The following people in attendance spoke out against the proposed rezoning:
Glenn Scott, owner of NW 33-56-6-4, is concerned that if the rezoning application is approved a precedent will be set regarding where industrial properties can be developed in the County. Mr. Scott stated that he felt he was mislead at the public hearing - that the picture of what could potentially be built is a small picture of what is actually going to be built. County cannot charge the same as Town of Elk Point for property taxes because the County does not provide the same services and this business will be competing with a business operating in town, but at a discounted rate. In the future will this business request that the County provide services to these industrial lots? Mr. Scott then stated that he agrees with the safety concerns that were discussed at the public consultation.
Myra Bochon, owner of NW 5-57-6-W4 spoke against the proposed rezoning. She agrees with the concerns brought forward at the public meeting and feels the group was misled with the picture of what was going to be developed. She felt that the representative at the meeting did not have all the facts and he could not address their concerns at the meeting. Mrs. Bochon then went on to state that It would not be an appropriate use of the lands. Regarding esthetics of what was talked about in letter from Aarbo Ranching - things cannot be set up helter skelter - development needs to be followed in very well planned fashion and she does not see that happening based on the information that was provided at the meeting. Myra Bochon also spoke on behalf of Connie Capjack, adjacent landowner, who is concerned with the water drainage on that property. Should this property be developed, where will the water go - she does not want it drained on to her property.
Olie Fedorus owns 7 acres within 1/2 mile of the area proposed to be rezoned. The area they are proposing to subdivide is a slough, and there are lots of migratory birds and wildlife in that area. He stated that this is prime Ag land for pasture and should not be used for industrial purposes. There are only about 4 acres that could be developed the rest in swamp. If this rezoning proceeds, Mr. Fedorus feels that there will be no organized development in the County and then we have the risk of areas like this popping up all over the county on prime ag land.
Reeve Upham then asked for anyone present who is in favor of the proposed rezoning to speak.
Vishal Luthra - CEO of Luthind Enterprises Inc. - highlighted in detail the intent of their plan, which is to relocate 1 1/2 miles to the east of where they are currently located, which is situated in the County of St. Paul. They currently employ 37 people. The proposed building will have an office at the front - with architectural design and they will have seacans stored at the back of their property and the property will be fenced. They plan on conforming to the Gateway Entrance Design Guidelines in the Elk Point Inter Municipal Development Plan. Current industrial sites within the Town of Elk Point are 2 1/2 acres and they feel they will run out of room if they move to the industrial site, therefore they are looking to relocate to the County.
The delegation left the Council Room at 12:05 p.m. The public hearing was declared closed at 12:05 p.m.
Reeve Upham recessed the meeting at 12:15 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 1:07 p.m. with all members of Council present.