Land Use Bylaw Open House - May 27
We want to hear from you!
Hardisty Land Use Bylaw Review and Update
Notice of Open House – May 27, 2025
The Town of Hardisty is working with Palliser Regional Municipal Services (PRMS) to update the Town’s Land Use Bylaw (LUB) in collaboration with the Town Council and its residents. The new LUB will replace the current version of the Hardisty LUB Bylaw 1252-20 with an entirely new bylaw.
What is a Land Use Bylaw?
A Land Use Bylaw directs the use and development of lands and buildings. By establishing land use districts (zoning), the LUB regulates the types of activities and buildings that can occur on any specific property. It also contains regulations, such as building height, maximum parcel coverage and building setbacks from property lines. The LUB is the tool that the long-term vision and goals of the Hardisty Municipal Development Plan (Bylaw 1138-09) are implemented on a day-to-day basis. The purpose of the LUB is to enable development, while minimizing the potential impacts on adjacent neighbours.
What is the review process and timelines?
PRMS is currently gathering feedback on the draft LUB from the residents and businesses of Hardisty. An open house is being held on Tuesday May 27, 2025 at the Hardisty Community Hall, 4807-49th Street from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. You are invited to attend the open house and discuss the draft LUB with Palliser staff and Town Administration.
Following the open house, the draft LUB will be revised as necessary. The draft LUB will then be presented to Council for 1st reading of the Bylaw, which is anticipated to occur at its regular meeting in June 2025. A formal public hearing will be held to provide the opportunity for affected persons to provide their comments directly to Council. It is anticipated that Council will provide third reading to the Bylaw in fall 2025.
What is proposed to change from the current LUB 1252-20?
The draft LUB is significantly different from the current Land Use Bylaw 1252-20. Some of these changes include:
- reorganization and reformatting to make the LUB easier to read and understand;
- ensuring the LUB meets the new requirements of the Municipal Government Act; for example issuing complete application notices;
- ensuring all uses and terms are defined for clarity;
- eliminating the need for permits for developments which have low impact, such as fences, certain signs, minor home occupations, and solar panels for personal use;
- clarifying development permit application requirements;
- granting a variance power to the Development Officer up to 15%;
- greater detail of bylaw enforcement, and limiting enforcement to issuing stop orders and violation tickets;
- ensuring the correct land use districts are applied to each property and appropriate uses are listed in each district;
- adding a new ‘Short-Term Rental’ use to allow for temporary or short-term accommodation of a dwelling unit in a residential district and eliminating Bed and Breakfasts;
- increasing the number of permitted uses in all districts to encourage more development and reduce the ability for appeals (if the development meets the rules of the land use bylaw);
- changing the zoning of certain properties to align with the purpose and intent of each district and the direction of the Hardisty Municipal Development Plan, and eliminating some non-conforming uses;
- removing all regulations related to Wireless Communications and creating a new proposed Wireless Communications Policy in alignment with Industry, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) process. The draft Wireless Communications Policy can be viewed here.
What are the next steps in the process?
Following the open house on May 27th, all feedback received will be used by PRMS to inform further revisions to the LUB.
Once a final draft LUB is ready, it will be provided to Hardisty Council for the first of three readings of a bylaw. A public hearing will be held prior to second reading.
Council can make changes to the draft bylaw at any of the three readings to address any concerns expressed at the public hearing or concerns of Council.
Where can I get more information?
If you have any questions or comments, please contact:
Tracy Woitenko
Senior Planner, PRMS
403-854-3371 ext. 207