Red Deer County MPC Greenlights Garden Suite and Five-Acre Farmstead Subdivision
Decision Summary
The Red Deer County Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) unanimously approved a discretionary use permit for a new garden suite and a five-acre subdivision during a routine 15-minute meeting on Tuesday morning.
Garden Suite Approved for Division 3
The commission gave the green light for a 74.3-square-meter (800-square-foot) garden suite at 28159 Township Road 374. The suite will be built inside an existing 223-square-meter accessory building on a property zoned Country Residential District.
Why It Matters: This approval allows for increased density on the residential lot. However, the permit comes with strict strings attached. The developer is responsible for ensuring the project does not dump water onto neighboring properties. If the grading causes drainage issues for neighbors, the developer must pay for corrective structures, such as retaining walls.
Construction cannot start until all pre-conditions are met, and the county warned that any environmental contamination caused during the build must be remediated at the owner’s expense.
Farmstead Subdivision in Division 5
The MPC also approved a request to carve out 2.02 hectares (5.0 acres) from a 64.7-hectare (160-acre) agricultural parcel at 38503 Range Road 22. This "first parcel farmstead" subdivision was deemed compliant with the county's Land Use Bylaw.
Why It Matters: While the subdivision was approved, the county is securing land for future infrastructure. As a condition of the split, the owner must agree to a 5.2-meter road widening dedication along both Township Road 385 and Range Road 22.
Additionally, the owner must provide a Real Property Report to prove the existing well and septic system are fully contained within the new five-acre boundaries. A licensed Safety Codes Officer must also certify that the septic system meets 2015 standards before the subdivision is finalized.
Public Input and Debate
The meeting saw no public opposition or citizen comments regarding either application. The commission, including Mayor J.J. Wood and all six attending councillors, passed both measures without recorded debate or dissenting votes.
Other Business
* Minutes Approved: The commission adopted the minutes from the June 10, 2025, meeting as presented.
* Agenda: The day's agenda was approved without additions or deletions.
What’s Next
The garden suite decision will be advertised on the Red Deer County website. If no successful appeals are filed, the development permit will be issued once the owner satisfies preliminary conditions. For the Division 5 subdivision, the applicant must now settle any outstanding property taxes and submit the required surveyor plans and septic inspections to the county for final registration at the Land Titles Office.