Proposed amendments to Parkland County's land use bylaw would allow for denser development in larger hamlets, add regulations for short-term rentals, and protect prime agricultural land.
A public hearing for the updated land use bylaw is scheduled for April 22 at the Parkland County Council Chambers at 53109A Hwy 779. Residents can sign up to speak or submit a written comment until April 18 at 4pm.
The mostly-agricultural county located west of Edmonton, which includes the Acheson industrial area and the hamlets of Entwistle and Wabamun, said it is revamping its land use bylaw (much like Edmonton did with its zoning bylaw renewal in 2024) to streamline regulations and integrate Wabamun into the county. Wabamun voted to dissolve and join Parkland County in 2020.
The proposed bylaw would allow duplexes and secondary suites in all residential districts. The county said this is to support housing affordability and multi-generational living. Apartment buildings and townhouses would also be permitted in the core of some hamlets. A municipal engagement project showed that Parkland County residents, especially those living in Wabamun, supported adding more forms of housing because they said they intend to age in place and more housing choice would help them do that.
The proposed bylaw introduces short-term accommodation, such as Airbnb rentals, as a defined use. It is allowed as a discretionary use in several districts, meaning it is permitted if the property reaches other criteria. Under the proposed bylaw, only one short-term rental is allowed per land parcel and it cannot be the primary use of a property. A maximum of 10 beds is allowed per rental.
The proposed bylaw also introduces an agriculture conservation district that is designed to preserve prime agricultural areas. While the general agriculture district allows a wider range of uses like agri-tourism and agriculture support services, the conservation district has tighter regulations to prioritize crop production and raising livestock. A landowner could start an agri-tourism attraction, a campground, or other business if it complemented agricultural operations and didn't degrade soil quality.
In February, Parkland County council approved its new municipal development plan, the document meant to guide the county's growth for the next 30 years. The plan was approved just before the dissolution of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board. As a result, the plan still adheres to the density targets laid out in the EMRB's growth plan, which specifies that villages and growth hamlets are meant to have 20 dwelling units per hectare.