Farm equipment store possible for Grassy Lake

By Cole Parkinson
Taber Times
cparkinson@tabertimes.com

If all things go according to plan, Grassy Lake residents will soon have a store within the hamlet to purchase farm equipment.

The Municipal District of Taber received an application from a property owner in Grassy Lake who was looking to construct a new building and open a new business.

The land indicated in the application is designated as “Direct Control” which provides a means for council to regulate and control the use and development of land and buildings within a specific area of the municipality.

The parcel is located on Lots 1-3, Block 23 Plan 4466AA on 1st Street North in Grassy Lake.

“Mr. Loewen is looking to construct a building in order to create some more economic development in the Grassy Lake area in regard to farm implementation and sales of farm items. The issue is that it belongs in the direct control district in Grassy Lake,” explained Kirk Hughes, director of planning and economic development.

With the proposed development slated to sell farm related repair equipment and products, the applicant stated he wanted to poll farmers in the area to see what they would want to see in the store.

“That way we could serve better,” said Francisco Loewen.

Council had questions why the land in question was under direct control.

“Just that one parcel. Initially because of the location and size of the lot. It was zoned that way because there was a proposal for a welding shop,” said CAO Derrick Krizsan.

Administration also stated other parcels within Grassy Lake were also under direct control.

“Because everything else along 1st Avenue was commercial and because we had folks wanting more industrial, we rezoned this parcel and a couple of others as direct control. That way we could accommodate those proposals,” said Joanne Bronsch, development clerk.

The lot has been purchased and returned to the M.D. twice before, according to administration.

Bonnie Brunner, Oldman River Regional Services Commission senior planner, has also reviewed the application and had no concerns moving forward.

“I think it is very positive that somebody wants to do this in Grassy Lake,” said Reeve Merrill Harris.

A motion was made to approve the application and was passed unanimously. Coun. Brian Brewin was absent.