The Palliser Intermunicipal Subdivision and Development Appeal board (ISDAB) has made a decision regarding the proposed Brooks Asphalt plant along Highway 10 (Rosedale Road) between Drumheller and Rosedale following a virtual hearing on Tuesday, November 9.
The board had a period of 15 days from the date of the hearing to make a decision, and a decision was made in writing on Monday, November 22 the development will not be permitted to proceed.
Five landowners who live in the area of the proposed development, including a local business owner, submitted appeals to ISDAB ahead of the hearing citing concerns over the dust, noise, and odour emissions which the plant would produce; increased traffic along the highway, which sees high levels of tourism traffic during the summer months, was also listed as a concern among the appellants.
Brooks Asphalt had previously operated a similar, temporary facility at the same location approximately 10 years ago. This facility also faced opposition from area landowners during its operation due to air quality issues, noise, and dust, as well as traffic concerns.
It was determined by the board the proposed development would “negatively and materially interfere” in the enjoyment and use of neighbouring properties.
As the facility would be classified as heavy industrial use, it also would conflict with the area structure plan; while the area structure plan does have a discretionary use for light industrial use, it does not have a provision to allow heavy industrial use. The area structure plan bylaw also states no industries which create “excessive noise, vibration, smoke, dust or odour” is permitted within the district.
ISDAB revoked the development authority’s decision to approve the development due to a failure to comply with mandatory notice requirements prior to approval, and further failure to comply with notice requirements of the decision.

Kneehill County council was presented with a request from Artis Exploration Ltd. to grant access to water at the Torrington Gravel Pit site for extraction for a period of 10 years during the regular council meeting on Tuesday, November 30.
Currently, Artis has a five-year agreement for water access and extraction which is set to expire in May 2023.
“Artis has approached us asking to extend for 10 years; that allows them to apply for a term license with the province, which provides a little more security for water access for drilling operations in the future,” explained Director of Infrastructure Mike Ziehr during the council meeting.
Artis estimates they would extract some 175,000 cubes of water in the coming year at a cost of $1 per cube. As the Torrington Gravel Pit property is located on both Kneehill County and Valleyview Hutterite Brethren colony properties, the new agreement would “jointly tie” both the county and colony, and revenues would be equally split.
Under the new agreement, the county and colony would be permitted to take up to 10,000 cubes of water for their own use and sell up to 20,000 cubes; additional water above these amounts are subject to Artis’ approval and Mr. Ziehr explained the company would have right of first refusal.
Kneehill County Chief Administrative Officer Mike Haugen explained, “The water is not ours to sell, but the access to it.”
He added Artis has been applying annually for a Temporary Diversion License through Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP); the agreement would allow them to apply for a longer-term license, however, Artis would require an agreement to lock in that water source for the duration of the license.
Division 2 Councillor Debbie Penner voiced concerns about water extraction from the site following the heatwave and drought experienced over summer 2021.
CAO Haugen noted the agreement is only to grant access. “Anyone withdrawing water from there is going to need to meet AEP approval,” he explained.
Following further discussion, Division 1 Councillor Faye McGhee moved for Kneehill County to enter into the 10-year agreement with Valleyview Hutterite Brethren and Artis Exploration; six council members voted in favour with one against.