Background: At the November 12, 2025 council meeting a motion by Deputy Reeve Drew McKay was passed directing Administration to prepare a bylaw to amend the current Municipal Development Plan. There was significant discussion at that meeting about possible changes, most specifically regarding Section 10- Subdivision of Land. Subsequently at the February 24, 2026 council meeting Council granted First Reading to amending the current MDP and proceed to a Public Hearing.
Clauses involved: Number of Permitted Parcels in Quarter Sections Designated Agriculture District (Current clauses with changes in red).
10.2.1 In a quarter section designated Agriculture District as per the land Use Bylaw:
(a.) the maximum number of titled parcels that are allowed to be created in a quarter section shall be two(2). This number includes one(1) additional parcel and the balance or remainder of the quarter section.
10.2.2 Not withstanding 10.2.1, Clearwater County may approve one additional subdivision in a quarter section for residential or non-residential use subject to the proposed parcel being redesignated to the designation applicable to the use under the Land Use Bylaw. The land use redesignation must be approved prior to the subdivision application being approved.
(a.) The non-largest agricultural parcel on a quarter section may be entitled to a land use bylaw amendment and subsequent subdivision. An application within the non-largest agricultural parcel shall be evaluated by Council at the time of the lan use bylaw amendment.
Proposed Change: Delete Policy 10.2.2 in its entirety and replace with:
Not withstanding 10.2.1, Clearwater County may approve one additional subdivision in a quarter section for a residential parcel from the largest agricultural parcel within a previously subdivided quarter section that does not already contain a residential subdivision.
10.2.3 When evaluating the land use redesignation which may provide additional subdivision options Clearwater County shall take into consideration:
(a) the impact on roadways, access and potential for additional traffic;
(b) potential impacts on adjacent lands including existing uses;
(c) The applicable residential policies contained in Section 6 and 5.2.3 of this MDP
Proposed Change: Delete Policy 10.2.3 in its entirety and replace with:
In addition to the subdivision of a first residential parcel from a quarter section as provided for in Policy 10.2.2, Clearwater County may approve the subdivision of land that is separated from the balance of the quarter section by a developed registered public road, and active railroad, a permanent water course or water body provided by following criteria re met to the satisfaction of the County:
(a) The feature that separates the fragmented parcel from the balance of the title is impassable for farm machinery;
(b) The difficulty and safety of access from the balance of the title renders the proposed fragmented parcel to be permanently severed from the balance of the title;
(c) The size and characteristics of the parcel to be fragmented are as conducive or more conducive to the proposed use than the current use; and
(d) With regard to a permanent water course or water body, there is written confirmation from Alberta Sustainable Resource Development that the title of the bed and shore of the water course or water body is vested in the Crown in the right of Alberta.
10.2.7 (Currently the final sentence states:) Multi-lot subdivisions shall consist of any proposal for four (4) or more titles per quarter section. Replace with:
Multi-lot subdivisions shall consist of any proposal for subdivisions outside of 10.2.1 through 10.2.3.
10.2.8 Agricultural small holdings will be a discretionary use within the Country Residence Agricultural District within the Land Use Bylaw.
Delete Policy 10.2.8 in its entirety.
Figure 6: Subdivision Examples (This page shows diagrams of how additional subdivisions could be created. Example 1 shows a proposed second parcel in an opposite corner of the quarter section with each parcel being 7 acres. Example 2 shows a second parcel adjacent to the existing first parcel out. One parcel could be 5 acres and one could be 7 acres. Example 3 shows a fragmented parcel.)
Delete the statements and Example 1 and Example 2 within Figure 6.
URGENT ACTION NEEDED
As these clauses affect every land owner’s rights, it is absolutely crucial that the voices and opinions of the residents of Clearwater County are heard.
PLEASE COME TO THE PUBLIC HEARING ON APRIL 14, 2026 AT 9:00AM AT THE COUNTY OFFICE. LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD.
