A new tourism development could be coming to Woodlands County.
At their regular meeting recently, county council received a rezoning application for a parcel of land 15 km southwest of the town of Whitecourt. County officials say the landowner is hoping to build 10 cabins and a network of trails. They add, that while the land is currently zoned as residential, it needs to be rezoned for “recreational” in order to proceed.
This led to some confusion among county councilors as to whether the cart was being put before the horse. Councilor Ron Govenlock wanted clarification as to whether this was simply a rezoning request, or if the landowner was asking for a development permit.
Administration clarified that first they need to rezone the land, then a development permit would be issued. As it would now be an allowable use of the land, issuing a development permit is anticipated to become the purview of county administration and not council.
County residents will be able to weigh-in on the rezoning during a public hearing scheduled for the Sept. 21 meeting of council.
