Red Deer County Council wrestled on Tuesday with the question of who should be responsible for upgrading roads when land is subdivided.
In an application to subdivide out 12 acres from a quarter section about three km north of Elnora, county operations staff recommended the landowner be required to upgrade 1.2 km of gravel roadway because it is below county standard. The road is six metres wide and the county standard is 7.5 metres.
However, the recommendation generated debate about whether it was fair to make a landowner foot the bill for the work, which has not been priced out yet.
Councillor Penny Archibald asked why the existing road, which has poor sight lines, had not been fixed by the county already if it was a problem.
Under county regulations, landowners can have access roads that don’t meet county standards in certain situations. However, when the land is subdivided, the road is to be upgraded.
Landowner John Frere said he has no intention of creating any additional residential development following subdivision. The 12-acre parcel includes an existing homestead, shop and machine shed. The land is being subdivided to incorporate a pair of sloughs for use by horses and to meet septic regulations.
Councillor George Gehrke said in other cases, landowners who subdivide have been told they must upgrade roads.
“Subdivision triggers development,” he said “I’m sorry, I can’t support this without the road standards.”
Councillor Philip Massier proposed a compromise. The landowner would be required to fix the sight line problem but not upgrade the entire roadway. That motion lost 4-3, with Massier, Archibald and Mayor Jim Wood in favour.
Some councillors suggested road improvements could be put on hold until there is development on the land.
Council decided to vote on the recommendation to approve subdivision on the condition the entire road is improved. That passed 6-1 with Massier opposed.
pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com