WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! | Dwellings in the Agricultural Area

Your responses will help to describe the community’s vision for housing in the agricultural area, the current housing supply, and begin to identify what future housing may be needed. The intent of this community consultation is to better understand the housing needs of agricultural residents and farm families. Your input is essential in ensuring we strike a balance between the community’s housing needs and the sustainable use of our agricultural land.

Currently, Lacombe County’s policy allows for two dwellings on Agricultural ‘A’ District parcels of at least 40 acres in size. This was changed in 2017 based on community consultation during the Municipal Development Plan update, from the previous policy of allowing two dwellings on Agricultural ‘A’ District parcels of at least 80 acres in size.

Since 2017, there have been 254 total new dwellings on Agricultural 'A' District parcels, with only 4 new dwellings due to the policy update to reduce the minimum parcel size for two dwellings to 40 acres. Since 2017, we have also received 20 public inquiries to change the policy to allow two dwellings on agricultural parcels less than 40 acres. This is a significant issue that needs to be discussed and addressed with the community’s input.

What is a dwelling?

Home! In the simplest terms, a dwelling is where people live. It is defined as a building that contains sleeping, cooking, and washroom facilities.

Where does this engagement topic apply?

This engagement is addressing the County’s housing policies in the Agricultural ‘A’ District (representing 98.6% of land in the County).

The County is not considering policy changes in other districts (hamlet/residential). The County is also not considering subdivision policy changes in the Agricultural ‘A’ District.

What are the County’s existing rules about dwellings on a parcel of land in the Agricultural ‘A’ District?

In the Agricultural ‘A’ District:

• Parcels 40 acres or larger can have a maximum of two dwellings
• Parcels smaller than 40 acres can have a maximum of one dwelling

In other words, 40 acres is the “minimum parcel size” to be able to have a second dwelling.

Please note this policy addresses permanent dwellings only. The County has separate policies that allow extra temporary dwellings for agricultural employees or family care.

Why is the County doing this public engagement?

The County wants to hear thoughts and perspectives from the community on ways our housing policies can better support our rural community. The County needs your survey feedback to ensure our policies strike a balance between meeting the needs of our rural residents while protecting agricultural lands for future generations. 

What will my feedback be used for?

Your survey feedback will help County Council decide whether the County’s existing housing policy in the Agricultural ‘A’ District is adequate, or whether changes are required to better support our rural community.

How has the County’s policies for dwellings in the Agricultural ‘A’ District changed over the past few years?

Prior to 2017, the minimum parcel size to have a second dwelling in the Agricultural ‘A’ District was 80 acres.

In 2016-2017, the County conducted several rounds of community engagement to update the Municipal Development Plan and Land Use Bylaw. In these engagements, the County heard concerns from rural residents about the declining rural population, and wanted the County to consider ways it can help retain more rural residents in the County.  A major concern emerged that the minimum parcel size for two dwellings was too large at 80 acres.

In 2017, County Council considered the feedback and took a gradual approach, deciding to reduce the minimum parcel size for a second dwelling from 80 acres to 40 acres. Council chose this approach to gradually increase the number of dwellings allowed in the agricultural area and monitor results.

This year, the County is revisiting its housing policies and is coming back to the public to capture community insights into the housing needs of the County’s rural areas.

Who is invited to participate in this public engagement?

All County residents and landowners are encouraged to participate! While this engagement is specific to the County’s agricultural areas, the survey has been designed to get useful feedback from all participants.

How do I participate?

You can participate by attending the Public Meeting  on November 29 to learn more, and complete the survey afterwards to provide us with your feedback. The survey will be available following the public meeting, and will be open for responses until December 13 at midnight.

If you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact Planning Services. You can reach Cajun Paradis, Senior Planner at 403-782-8389 or email Cajun.

We look forward to hearing your views and engaging in constructive discussions about the future of dwellings in Lacombe County's agricultural areas.