Planning & Development

The Village of Champion planning and development services are handled between the Village of Champion & the Oldman River Regional Services Commission (ORRSC). The Village contracts Superior Safety Codes for building permitting services.

The hierarchy of documents within the Village of Champion’s land use planning framework is established by the Province of Alberta’s Municipal Government Act (MGA). The MGA requires that each level is consistent with the level above and below it, and that the policies and regulations within planning document(s) at each level may be implemented by those below them in the decision-making process.

The MGA provides the legislative authority for municipal land use planning and decision-making, while the Alberta Land Stewardship Act (ALSA) regional plan (or Land Use Policies in their absence) provides broad-based policy directions and principles for municipal land use planning which are affected through statutory plans and bylaws. The statutory plans provide future direction for development and use of lands at the fringe areas of the Village of Champion’s boundaries (Intermunicipal Development Plans), or within the whole Village of Champion (Municipal Development Plans), or small areas of the Village of Champion in greater detail (Area Structure Plans).

The Land Use Bylaw (LUB) regulates the use and development of land based on the policy directions of statutory plans, while the Subdivision and Development Regulations regulates subdivision planning in conjunction with the MGA, applicable statutory plans, and the Land Use Bylaw.

The policies, other bylaws, and documents contain additional or specific requirements outside statutory plans and the Land Use Bylaw documents for reviewing and making decisions on applications for development permit and subdivision, either in general or for certain types of developments and subdivisions, or for developments and subdivisions at certain locations.

Where there is a conflict or inconsistency between a higher-level planning document and a lower-level planning document, the higher-level planning document prevails to the extent of the conflict or inconsistency.

Land Use Bylaw:

Champion’s Land Use Bylaw outlines the regulations for the use and development of land and buildings in the Village of Champion.

Planning & Development Department

Address

135 Main Street, Champion

Phone

403-897-3833

Hours of Operation

Tuesday to Thursday - 9:00am to 3:30pm
(Closed between 12pm & 1pm)
Closed Statutory Holidays

Planning & Development Department manages land use in the Village of Champion, including long-range planning and forecasting, reviewing development permits, subdivision applications, formulating land use plans and policies and conducting public consultation on proposed land use changes. All applications are reviewed by ORRSC as part of the approval process. Planning in the Village of Champion (like all Alberta communities) is guided by a number of statutory documents. You will need to contact Superior Safety Codes 1-866-999-4777 for all permitting, building code & inspection questions

DEVELOPMENT PERMITS

· Please submit the development permit and building permit at the same time.

· Submit application form and all documentation with application fee payment

· The Development Officer has 40 days to look at your development permit application and make a decision.

· If your approved development is permitted use in our Land Use Bylaw, your development permit will be posted and then construction may begin once the building permit is issued by Superior Safety

· If your development is categorized as discretionary use, then the development permit must go to the Municipal Planning Commission for a decision. If approved, there is a 21 day waiting period to allow the public to respond. Afterwards, the development can begin on the 22nd day.

Do I need a Building Permit? What is the difference between a Development Permit and a Building Permit?

A development permit is not the same as a building permit. A development permit allows a specific type of development on a specific parcel of land in the community to proceed with the zoning and development bylaws of the municipality.

A building permit allows for construction of buildings or structures to proceed on condition of compliance with the Alberta Building Code, which addresses public safety and welfare. Most types of construction projects require both a development permit and a building permit. This includes major renovations to existing buildings, as well as the construction of new buildings.

If your development project involves construction then a building permit along with the supporting documents are required along with the development permit application.

Please submit both application forms with their required additional documentation at the same time.

What is needed with the Development Permit Application form?

· Development Application fee

o Cheque, Cash, Debit, Bill Payment, E-Transfer, EFT, Credit Cards

· A scaled site plan

· A copy of the Certificate of Title to the land and, if the applicant is not the owner, a statement of the applicant’s interest in the land together with the written consent of the owner to the application.

· If required, a copy of the building plans.

· A RPR (real Property Report) is required and cannot be older than 2 years.

· All items from the checklist found on application is required when submitting

Locating Underground Infrastructure

Whether you are landscaping, building a new fence or deck, or simply planting a garden, disturbing the ground on your property can cause damage to a buried utility. Some utilities are buried mere centimeters below the surface.

The result of a contact with a buried line can range from loss of an essential service for you or your neighbours to serious injury or fatalities.

The financial costs of repairing any damage you cause to a buried utility will be borne by you, the excavator. Before you disturb the ground for any reason:

Click Before You Dig

Contact Utility Safety Partners to request that the utilities buried on your property be located and marked.

A minimum of 3 Full Working Days’ Notice is required in order for facility owners to respond to a routine request. Large Project Tickets require a minimum of 5 Full Working Days’ Notice.

NOTE: Locate response times can vary and a longer lead time is recommended during the busiest months (May, June, July, August and September). Utility Safety Partners will send a ticket to the Village of Champion to locate the water & sewer lines on your property.