Sturgeon County’s LUB includes the following land use districts within the ASP study area: Industrial - Heavy (I-H), Agricultural (AG) and Agricultural – Nature Conservation (A-NC) (refer to Map 7 - Existing Zoning and Land Use). The stated purpose of each land use district is as follows:
The purpose of this land use district is to identify areas for heavy industrial development and reserve land for this purpose. Of note are some permitted uses including extensive agricultural and livestock operations and discretionary uses such as public use and residences on a lot that existed prior to this Bylaw. Regulations include a maximum of 50 percent of the site for principal and accessory building and a heavy industrial setback from residential, urban/hamlet or institutional uses of 457 m (1,500 ft) which is consistent with the policies in the MDP regarding compatibility of land uses.
Setbacks from pipeline and other utility corridors are in accordance with the directives of the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board. Minimum setbacks from sour gas wells and pipelines are also detailed in the General Regulations of the LUB.
The purpose of this land use district is to provide areas to accommodate agricultural land uses and include residential, home occupation and Confined Feeding Operations. Regulations address parcel density (a maximum of four parcels per unsubdivided quarter), residential subdivisions, minimum parcel size for extensive livestock and extensive agricultural uses (32 ha or 80 ac), maximum parcel size, and yard and roadway setbacks.
The purpose of this land use district is to protect unique natural areas and environmentally sensitive areas and to provide for the development of recreational uses. Permitted and discretionary uses include residential, home occupation, agricultural, recreational, institutional and nature conservation. Regulations generally follow those set for the Agricultural (AG) Land Use District, with the following exceptions. A minimum buffer strip of 30 m (98 ft) preserved for environmental reserve from the top of bank of the North Saskatchewan and Sturgeon Rivers. No permanent structures are permitted within the 1:100 year flood plain. The Development Approving Authority may require an environmental impact assessment with a development permit application. Site design, sitting, landscaping, screening and buffering should minimize and/or compensate for any objectionable aspects of a development.