A guide to local government processes for business and development.

Contents

1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................3

2 MAP – VULCAN COUNTY AREA ........................................................................................4

3 KEY COMMUNITY STRENGTHS ........................................................................................5

4 STANDARD BUSINESS START-UP LIST ...........................................................................6

5 VULCAN COUNTY, TOWN OF VULCAN AND

INCORPORATED VILLAGES – GUIDING DOCUMENTS...........................................7

6 DEVELOPMENT PROCESS ...................................................................................................12

6.1 Development Permit Decision Process...........................................................................13

6.2 Amendments to the Municipal Development Plan....................................................14

6.3 Land use Redesignation Application Requirements .................................................16

6.4 Subdivision Approval Process .........................................................................................17

6.5 Signage Regulations ...........................................................................................................19

6.6 Safety Code Permit ............................................................................................................20

7 BUSINESS COSTS .....................................................................................................................21

8 VULCAN BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SOCIETY

AND OTHER ONE-STOP INFORMATION SOURCES........................................................22

Local governments in our area include the Vul-can County rural area, Town of Vulcan, Villageof Arrowwood, Village of Carmangay, Village ofChampion, Village of Lomond and Village ofMilo.

With the exception of Vulcan County which isgoverned by an elected Reeve and Council, all ofthese local governments are incorporatedmunicipalities and governed by an electedMayor and Council. The Villages and Town arenestled in Vulcan County, but are separatemunicipalities. Within each municipality, theCouncil and administration exercise a range ofcontrols to ensure compliance with the

Municipal Government Act, municipaldevelopment plan (if applicable) and Land UseBylaw.

Vulcan County governs the surrounding ruralarea, delivering services in varying areas withcommon needs. Municipalities in the areacollaborate in providing regional servicessuch as fire and waste services. Police servicesare provided by the RCMP while ambulanceservices are provided by Alberta HealthServices. Overall, services undertaken byVulcan County, Town of Vulcan and theincorporated villages are paid for in part bytaxation, based on property assessment.

1. IntroductionWhether you're starting a new business, expanding an existing one, or plan-ning for land development, understanding local government requirements canbe challenging, but the Vulcan Business Development Society can help! Thisguide is intended to help you understand the steps involved for businessdevelopment in Vulcan County, the Town of Vulcan or the Villages ofArrowwood, Carmangay, Champion, Lomond and Milo. It will assist youto better plan for and anticipate community requirements, providing fora more seamless and efficient process on your way to success.

Understanding Local Government

Business Development Guide For the Vulcan County Area P.3

All business owners moving into the Vulcan County area should notify Vulcan BusinessDevelopment Society and a representative can assist you.

All businesses moving to or setting up in the Vulcan County area should notify the Vulcanand District Chamber of Commerce for inclusion into the local business database andcommunity business listings, which are published on the web and in hard copy.

Business Development Guide For the Vulcan County Area P.4

2.

Distance from Vulcan to:

Miles KmsLethbridge 62 100Calgary 75 120High River 41 65Okotoks 54 87Strathmore 51 82Bow City 54 87US Border 123 198Source: Vulcan Business Development Society

Business Development Guide For the Vulcan County Area P.5

It is essential to build off and capitalize on the unique elements and strengths of a localcommunity in a way that will lead to business growth and a critical mass of businessand investment activity in the future. The following strengths are some of the keyelements for which the Vulcan County area can support a strong local economy.

Star Trek. Gene Roddenberry’s world comes alive inVulcan with over 35,000 visitors each year the StarTrek Capital of Canada.

Rich Soils. Vulcan is blessed with rich soils,plenty of sunshine and an extensive irrigationsystem.

Water. Vulcan’s prairie is blessed with lakesteeming with summertime activities.

Technology. Vulcan strives to be the mosttechnological small town in Canada. Residents aretalented and innovative. Strategic partnerships provideICT pilot projects and local post-secondary training inICT programs.

Energy. Vulcan is blessed with high levels of brightsunshine, excellent wind regimes and an extensiveagricultural industry providing input for solar, wind andbio-fuel production.

Transportation. Only 120km from Calgaryand 100km from Lethbridge, Alberta’s highload corridor extends through Vulcan as does CP rail linewith several rail sidings in the area.

Affordable. Vulcan offers attractive commercial andresidential real estate costs providing an affordablealternative for the location of your business.

Recreation. Swimming pools, hockey arenas, golf courses,world-class fishing and more, you’ll always find something to

do in Vulcan.

3. Key Community Strengths

Business Development Guide For the Vulcan County Area P.6

= Complete your market research.= Develop a business plan.= Obtain financial commitments before proceeding with start-up expenditures. Contact

Community Futures Highwood for small business start-up advice, business plan review and arranging financing (if necessary).

= If you intend to operate as a sole proprietor, partnership or other entity, register your business with the Corporate Registry (http://www.servicealberta.ca/Corporate_Registries.cfm). This Corporate Registry will walk you through registering your business with the Canada Revenue Agency and other obligations you may have with the Province of Alberta.

= Contact your local municpality for appropriate permits, inspections and licences. The remainder of this document outlines applicable municipal government processes in the area municipalities. The incorporated municipalities with websites include the following:

Vulcan County - www.vulcancounty.ab.caTown of Vulcan – www.townofvulcan.caVillage of Arrowwood – www.villageofarrowwood.caVillage of Milo - www.villageofmilo.ca

= Obtain appropriate insurance and leases.= Understand the applicable labour regulations (www.employment.alberta.ca/sfw/1224.html). = Ensure all health regulations relating to your business have been investigated.= Ensure all environmental issues affecting your business have been investigated.

4. Standard BusinessStart-Up List

The Vulcan Business Development Society provides a useful tool,called BizPal, to streamline the business permitting and licensingprocess. This tool can generate a list of every necessary permitand licence that your business requires. Check out this tool at:www.vulcanbusiness.ca/business/licences-and-permits-bizpal/.

In addition, the Business Link is a service provided by theGovernment of Alberta assisting new and small businessnavigating the regulatory environment and providing

start-up assistance.

If you are an entrepreneur looking to start your own business you should contact theVulcan Business Development Society and Community Futures Highwood for start-upadvice. Community Futures Highwood, in particular, provides advice in businessstart-up and assistance with financing. The following is a basic business start-up listof the items you might have to consider for your business:

Business Development Guide For the Vulcan County Area P.7

If you are planning to develop a site within Vulcan County, Town of Vulcan or the Villagesof Arrowwood, Carmangay, Champion, Lomond and Milo, you should first discuss yourproposal with the appropriate staff member before you invest a lot of time and moneyin your project.Where applicable, some of the key development documents that you will need toconsult include:

= Vulcan County Municipal Development Plan and Land Use Bylaw= Town of Vulcan Municipal Development Plan and Land Use Bylaw= Village of Arrowwood Land Use Bylaw= Village of Carmangay Land Use Bylaw= Village of Champion Land Use Bylaw= Village of Lomond Land Use Bylaw= Village of Milo Land Use Bylaw

5. Vulcan County, Town of Vulcan& Incorporated Villages

Guiding Documents

INCORPORATED VILLAGES

= Village of Arrowwood Land Use Bylaw

= Village of Carmangay Land Use Bylaw

= Village of Champion Land Use Bylaw

= Village of Lomond Land Use Bylaw

= Village of Milo Land Use Bylaw

TOWN OF VULCAN

= Municipal Development Plan= Land Use Bylaw= Prairie Vista Estates Area

Structure Plan

VULCAN COUNTY

= Municipal Development Plan= Land Use Bylaw= Hamlet of Brant Area Structure

Plan= Hamlet of Mossleigh Area

Structure Plan= Little Bow River Project IMDP= McGregor, Travers, Little Bow

Reservoirs Area Structure Plan

Business Development Guide For the Vulcan County Area P.8

Vulcan County Municipal Development Plan The Vulcan County Municipal Development Plan (2012) states a series of objectives thatwill guide development. The objectives that concern commercial and industrial develop-ment include:= To encourage development opportunities within Vulcan County to expand theCounty’s assessment base while limiting conflicts with existing land uses.= To delineate basic standards that must be met when making applications for

redesignations, developments or subdivisions.1= To encourage a consistent decision-makingprocess by Vulcan County’s various approval author-ities when dealing with redesignations,developments or subdivisions.

The plan further states that many commercialactivities can co-exist with industry in designateddistricts. These districts in the County arefundamental to the regional economy and it isimportant that the long-term viability of theseactivities is protected from incompatible land uses.The majority of commercial and industrial landparcels are located in the County’s hamlets.The policies for commercial and industrial landuse are stated in Section 5.6 of the MunicipalDevelopment Plan.1Vulcan County Municipal Development Plan Bylaw No. 2012-003, p.2.

Municipal DevelopmentPlans

The Municipal Development Plan is a long-range statutory planning document pro-viding the municipality’s elected officials,administration, ratepayers and developerswith a framework of policies for makingdecisions regarding future growth and de-velopment opportunities. The policies of amunicipal development plan shape thegrowth and development of a municipality. Vulcan County and the Town of Vulcan arethe only two municipalities that have for-

mally adopted municipal developmentplans. Vulcan County and Town of VulcanCouncils and administrations will evaluatedevelopment proposals to ensure thatthey are consistent with the mission andobjectives of the plan. The MDPs also es-tablish the basis for more specific bylawssuch as land use structural plans andconfined feeding operation exclusionareas (e.g. Vulcan County) and minimumsetbacks for sour gas facilities.

Business Development Guide For the Vulcan County Area P.9

Municipal DevelopmentPlans

Continued from P.8It states the following:The following factors shall be considered when locating industrial and commercial developmentin the County:a) The compatibility of the proposed development with existing uses in the surrounding area;b) The presence of natural landscape features that may impact or be affected by the proposed

development;c) The impact on agricultural operations in the area; andd) The impact on local roads and the provincial highway network.2There are three land use designations in Vulcan County that can accommodate commercial andindustrial activity. The designations and purposes are:= Hamlet Commercial – to provide for a high quality of commercial development pursuant to

the municipal development plan recognition that hamlets act as an important service centre for the agricultural community.3

= Rural Industrial – to allow industrial uses to be located in rural areas provided they do not pose a threat to the environment or create a potential nuisance for residents.4

= Rural Commercial - to provide for the location of commercial uses in rural areas which will not compromise either the use of agricultural lands for agriculture.

Town of Vulcan Municipal Development PlanThe Town of Vulcan’s Municipal Development Plan (2000) is a long-range statutory planningdocument that provides a framework of policies for making decisions regarding future growth

and development opportunities. Some to the goals that areidentified in this plan include:= To continue the town’s role as the commercial and

social centre of the region= To encourage sustained economic growth and

diversification= To manage growth with a minimum of conflict= To provide directions for future growth = To promote cooperation and coordination between

the Town and the County regarding futuredevelopment policies.5

MUNICIPAL

DEVELOPMENT

PLAN (2000)

2Ibid. p.17.3Vulcan County Land Use Bylaw No.2010-010, p.77

4 Ibid. p.81.5Town of Vulcan Municipal Development Plan Bylaw No.00-1259, p.2.

Business Development Guide For the Vulcan County Area P.10

Commercial lands are divided into four different land use districts. These designations andpurpose are as follows: = Retail Commercial – to provide an area suited to intensive commercial uses, including the

redevelopment of existing uses, which are convenient and attractive to pedestrians, while offering ready vehicular access and adequate parking.6

= General Commercial – to provide an area which allows for the development of heavy commercial and similar uses which are not suitable in the retail commercial district.7

= Highway Commercial – to ensure the sites adjacent to the highway are reserved for appropriate commercial uses.8

= Special Commercial – to ensure the sites on Centre Street adjacent to the highway are reserved for appropriate commercial.9

= Industrial – to encourage the orderly development of this district in a manner compatible with other land uses.10

= Direct Control – to allow for the establishment of industrial uses that may not be appropriate in the Industrial (I1) designated areas within the town.11

= Airport – to ensure for a variety of development to occur within this district in a manner consistent with federal legislation relating to airports and air traffic, and that is compatible with exist-ing and surrounding uses.12

Refer to the land use bylaw forpermitted and discretionary usesfor these commercial, industrialand airport designations.

Municipal DevelopmentPlans

Continued from P.9

6 Town of Vulcan Land Use Bylaw No.1333-05, p.21.7 Ibid. p. 23.8 Ibid. p.25.9 Ibid. p.27.10 Ibid. p.31.11 Ibid. p.33.12 Ibid. p.41.

Business Development Guide For the Vulcan County Area P.11

Land Use BylawsThe Land Use Bylaws are major toolswhich each local government uses toregulate land use and size and siting ofbuildings. Each municipality has its ownland use bylaw and describes permitteduses, discretionary uses, densities, sitingand building form. Land use detailsprovide for the orderly development ofthe community and to avoid conflictsbetween incompatible land uses. Land use bylaws can be amended;

either to implement future land uses inkeeping with the direction provided in themunicipal development plan (for the Townof Vulcan and Vulcan County) or in responseto a particular situation not contemplatedwhen the bylaw was written.

Please contact the respective municipalitydirectly or visit the Oldman River RegionalServices Commission website(www.orrsc.com) for a copy of therespective Land Use Bylaw.

Business Development Guide For the Vulcan County Area P.12

The principal functions of land use planning are:

= To prepare land use plans and policies to promote the allocation of resources in support of planned and orderly development;

= To serve the community by responding to a wide range of inquiries andapplications related to the use and development of land;

= To administer land use bylaws, standards and policies;= To provide the opportunity for meaningful public consultation with

respect to policy and the law; and= To advise elected officials on planning and development matters.

6. Development ProcessLocal governments in the Vulcan Countyarea facilitate development whileprotecting property rights, communitystandards and the environment aspresented by municipal policy.The Oldman River Regional ServicesCommission (ORRSC) assists these localgovernments by managing land use,

subdivision and development. Bylaws andstatutory long-range planning documentsare prepared for the local governments inaccordance with the Municipal GovernmentAct. ORRSC provides these planningservices to the Vulcan County areamunicipalities and other membermunicipalities in southwestern Alberta.

Plans to build or modify a structure, or changethe way land is being used may require adevelopment permit prior to starting a newdevelopment. The MGA provides municipalitieswith a considerable level of influence over theirindividual planning policies and decisions,however, the Subdivision and DevelopmentRegulation within the MGA (Section 678)provides clear guidance regarding the processas to how those decisions are to be made.Land use bylaws divide the municipality intoland use zones and establish regulationsoutlining how each parcel of land may be usedand developed. It is the land use bylaw thatdetermines if a development permit is required.The land use bylaw will establish provisions fordevelopment that do not require a permit. For zoning designations, the land use bylawclassifies the use as either a permitted use ordiscretionary use. In the case of permitted use,the designated development officer for themunicipality is empowered to approve

development permit applications. In the case ofdiscretionary use, the development officer willsubmit a staff report for the application. Thepermit application and staff report are reviewedby the Municipal Planning Commission. Theapplicant may appear before the Commissionto answer questions and speak to the application.Discretionary uses may be rejected at thediscretion of the Commission, and theCommission must state reasons for the refusal.However, in making their decision, the Commis-sion will consider the overall vision for the areaand municipality as set out in an area structureplan or the municipal development plan.Applications that assist the municipality inachieving the overall vision for the municipalityshould be approved. Appeals for decisionsmade by the Commission can be made to theSubdivision and Development Appeal Board.This Board is established at the municipal level.The MGA sets out the limited circumstances inwhich appeals are made to the Province.

Business Development Guide For the Vulcan County Area P.13

6.1 Development PermitDecision Process

Prospective developers must complete adevelopment permit application form. Fordevelopments within the Town of Vulcan orVulcan County, applications need to besubmitted to the Development Officer. For

applications in the incorporated villages,applications need to be submitted to theORRSC planner. The following flow charthighlights the decision making process fora development permit.

Graphic Source: Extracted from http://www.vulcancounty.ab.ca/Development/PermitProcess.htmlOctober, 2012

1. All applications for amendment shall besubmitted using the applicable form and beaccompanied by any additional information,as deemed necessary by the DevelopmentOfficer (Vulcan County or Town of Vulcan) /ORRSC Planner (incorporated Villages) toprocess the application.2. The Development Officer may refuse toaccept an application if, in his/her opinion,the information supplied is not sufficient tomake a proper evaluation of the proposedamendment.3. For Vulcan County and Town of Vulcan,the Development Officer may refer theapplication to the Municipal PlanningCommission for their recommendation.

4. The application shall be processedin compliance with the requirementsof the Municipal Government Act,including the processes fornotice of public hearingsand the conduct ofmeetings.

The municipal development plan is theplanning framework that is used to guidedecision making. The land use bylawgenerally deals with issues concerningland use and density. An application for achange to the municipal developmentplan or zoning bylaw will requireconsideration by the municipal council,as the application may represent achange in policy or direction. To amend

the municipal development plan or zoningbylaw, it is recommended that prospectivedevelopers meet to discuss their proposalbefore they make an application to theDevelopment Officer (for Vulcan Countyand the Town of Vulcan) or the appropriateplanner at the ORRSC assigned to one ofthe Vulcan County area's incorporatedvillages. There are often issues that can bedealt with prior to submitting a proposal.

Business Development Guide For the Vulcan County Area P.14

6.2 Amendments to theMunicipal Development Plan

or Land Use Bylaw

Discuss your application before the application formally enters the approvalprocess to allow staff to identify any issues associated with the proposal. Achange to the municipal development plan or zoning bylaw is accomplished byan amendment. The process is as follows:

Business Development Guide For the Vulcan County Area P.15

5. The Development Officer/ ORRSC Plannershall draft a bylaw and forward the applicationto Council for a decision if he/she is satisfiedsufficient information has been provided withthe application. The application may be givenfirst reading.6. There is a public hearing for the amendment.This will include advertising the proposedamendment in the newspaper, notifyingsurrounding property owners and tenants andallowing others affected by the amendmentsto express their views.7. Second and third reading of the amendmentmay be given following the public hearing.

8. If an adjacent municipality wants to appealthe Council decision, this municipality will needto appeal the decision to the MunicipalGovernment Board (MGB). An MGB hearingwill occur between the two municipalities toresolve this conflict. The MGB will make adecision to uphold, repeal or change the bylaw. 9. Final adoption of the amending bylaw bythe Council or MGB, if applicable.10. Where an application for an amendmentto this bylaw has been refused by Council,another application that is the same or similarin nature shall not be accepted until at leastsix months after the date of refusal.

6.2 Amendments to theMunicipal Development Plan

or Land Use BylawContinued from Pg. 14

Graphic Source: Vulcan County, Planning Process Chart,www.vulcancounty.ab.ca/images/planningprocesscharts.pdf

For developers who want to re-designate land use for their subject property, the processis outlined in detail under items 92 and 93 of the Vulcan County Land Use Bylaw andSchedule 12 of the Town of Vulcan Land Use Bylaw. The process is as follows:

1. Provide a completed application form and fee.2. Prepare a narrative describing the:

2.1. proposed designation and future use(s)2.2. consistency with applicable statutory plans; 2.3. compatibility of the proposal with surrounding uses and zoning;2.4. development potential/suitability of the site, including identification of any

constraints and/or hazard areas (e.g. easements, soil conditions, topography, drainage, etc.);

2.5. availability of facilities and services (sewage disposal, domestic water, gas,electricity, fire and police protection, schools, etc.) to serve the subject property; and

2.6. any potential impacts on public roads;3. Conceptual subdivision design, if applicable;4. A geotechnical report prepared by an engineer demonstrating soil stability/ suitability if deemed necessary by the Development Officer (for Vulcan County and Town of Vulcan) or ORRSC Planner (for incorporated villages);

5. An evaluation of surface drainage which may include adjacent properties if deemed necessary by the Development Officer or ORRSC Planner; and

6. Any other information deemed necessary by the Development Officer or ORRSC Planner to properly evaluate the application.

An area structure plan or conceptual design scheme may berequired by the Development Officer or ORRSC Planner inconjunction with a redesignation application when:1. multiple parcels of land are involved;2. multiple landowners are involved;3. more than four lots could be created;4. several pieces of fragmented land are adjacent to the proposal;

5. internal public roads would be required;6. municipal services would need to beconstructed; or

7. required by Council or the Municipal Planning Commission.

Business Development Guide For the Vulcan County Area P.16

6.3 Land Use Re-designationApplication Requirements

Business Development Guide For the Vulcan County Area P.17

6.4 Subdivision ApprovalProcess

Subdividing land, either creating one lot orcreating a number of lots, is complex and adifferent process than amendments to themunicipal development plan or zoningbylaw. The subdivision approval process isthe responsibility of the Oldman RiverRegional Services Commission (ORRSC).

Prior to making a subdivision application,a developer should discuss the applicationwith both the local municipality and ORRSCplanning staff. Often there are issuesthat have to be dealt with for one or bothorganizations before subdivision approvalcan be granted.

Once the application is discussed with ORRSC, the steps are as follows:

1. Prepare a package to circulate that includes:= Formal application= Subdivision of land display diagrams= Newspaper ad or list of adjacent landowners= Planners initial comments to be provided to the municipality during theapplication circulation

2. Circulate application to the following:= A notice to adjacent landowners (14 days if notice in a newspaper or 19 days ifnotice by mail)

= A notice to the municipality with planner comments= A notice to agencies and government departments required to be notified under the Subdivision and Development Regulation (minimum of 19 days to respond)

= A notice to school boards affected (14 days to respond)= Correspondence to the applicant/landowner indicating acceptable of application and the persons notified

3. Review comments and prepare recommendations for the municipality:= Review and evaluate any planning issues that have surfaced as part of thecirculation

= Prepare recommendations to the municipality’s subdivision authority= Subdivision Authority makes a decision

The subdivision authority will consider the responses to the circulation and recommendations.A meeting with concerned persons may occur if requested during the process. The subdivisionauthority for the appropriate municipality will make the decision. This decision may be toapprove, not approve or approve with conditions. A decision is required within 60 days of thereceipt of the application, unless the applicant agrees to the extension of that time period. Adecision is sent to the applicant and the persons notified prior to the decision being made,except for the adjacent landowners.

Business Development Guide For the Vulcan County Area P.18

A subdivision authority may place a number of conditions on a subdivisionapproval. These conditions include:= Payment of outstanding property taxes.= Entering into a development agreement with the municipality which includes the installation or paying for the installation of services.

= Paying or providing municipal reserves which is either land or money in lieu of land for park or school purposes.

= A surveyor’s sketch, if structures exist.= Provision of any easements that may have been required by utility companies or the municipality for access.

6.4 Subdivision ApprovalProcess

Continued from Pg. 17

Within 19 days of the date on the letter giving notice of the decision, an appeal may be filed bythe applicant, municipality, government department or school board. Adjacent landownerscannot file an appeal. An appeal must be in writing and contain reasons for the appeal. Anappeal hearing must be held within 30 days of receiving the appeal notice. At the hearing, allparties have an opportunity to provide input and may be questioned. The Subdivision andDevelopment Appeal Board has 15 days to issue a decision. A further appeal is available tothe courts on a point of law or jurisdiction.

The notice of decision contains the necessary requirements to finalize the subdivisionapproval. These requirements include:

= Contacting a surveyor to prepare the documentation required for the LandTitles Office.

= Completing and providing proof of completion that all conditions have been met.= Paying outstanding charges such as municipal reserve, taxes and final fees. When all the conditions are met and the appeal period has elapsed, ORRSC is able to endorse the subdivision plan. This document is filed with the LandTitles Office.

Business Development Guide For the Vulcan County Area P.19

Graphic Source: Vulcan County, Planning Process Chart,http://www.vulcancounty.ab.ca/images/PlanningProcesCharts.pdf, 2012.

6.5 Signage RegulationsSignage regulations are outlined in Schedule 7 for the Town of Vulcan and incorporatedVillage land use bylaws. Permits are required before a sign is enlarged, relocated,constructed or altered.

Business Development Guide For the Vulcan County Area P.20

6.6 Safety Code PermitSafety code permits allow for theconstruction of buildings or structures toproceed on condition of compliance withthe Alberta Building Code which addressesbuilding and fire safety. A building permitis required for the construction, alteration,repair, relocation, demolition, or change ofuse of a building. Farm accessorybuildings, and non-hazardous accessorybuildings under 100 square feet (10m2),

are exempt.Building permits can be obtained throughan accredited Alberta permit licensingagent. Superior Safety Codes Inc. handlesthe safety code permit process for VulcanCounty for building, electrical, gas, plumbingand private sewage permits. Thesepermits ensure that building constructionprovides for the basic health and safety ofhomeowners and business owners.

Building Inspections are conducted at the following stages:= Foundation: prior to backfill, footings and wall poured, forms removed, weeping tile, washed rock and damp proofing applied.

= Framing / HVAC prior to drywall: foundation backfilled, walls framed, floors and roof completed, mechanical and electrical rough-ins completed, heating ducts installed, exterior doors and windows installed, outside plywood and exterior wrap completed, insulation and vapour barrier started or completed,manufacturer’s floor and truss layout and specifications are on site.

= Final inspection: prior to occupancy, drywall and paint completed, interiorfinishing completed, handrails in place, exterior penetrations sealed, plumbing and electrical completed (including fixtures), heating/ventilation systeminstalled and ductwork completed, smoke alarms installed, all safety itemscompleted, all items from previous inspection reports or plans examinationcompleted.

Inspections are also conducted for the other construction disciplines, such as:= Electrical Discipline – Rough-in prior to drywall or final prior to occupancy.= Plumbing Discipline – Rough in below grade – prior to covering or rough inabove grade – prior to covering or final prior to occupancy.

= Gas Discipline – Final prior to occupancy= Private Sewage Discipline – Rough-in prior to backfilling of dirt

Consult with your local municipality regarding a list of fees related to safety code permits.

Business Development Guide For the Vulcan County Area P.21

There are planning and development process fees for the local municipalities. Dependingon the location of the development, the developer should contact the development officer orOldman River Regional Services Commission planner to obtain a planning and developmentfee schedule.The value of the fees varies by planning issue, but you can anticipate fees for thefollowing issues:

= Development permits for residential: permitted use, discretionary uses, non-residential ($1 - $1,000,000) and non-residential ($1,000,000 and up)

= Development permits for those who commence development approval prior toobtaining permits: residential: permitted uses, discretionary uses, non-residential

= Statutory plan amendments (zoning, text amendments and others)= Subdivision and development appeals

7. Business Costs

Business Development Guide For the Vulcan County Area P.22

8. SourcesThe Vulcan Business Development Society (VBDS) proudly promotes economic developmentwithin Vulcan County and in Southern Alberta. Formed in 2005, VBDS serves severalmember communities including the Town of Vulcan, Vulcan County and the Villages ofArrowwood, Carmangay, Champion, Lomond and Milo.

VBDS’ contact information along with other local related organizations is as follows:

Vulcan BusinessDevelopment Society

110 - 1 Ave. S.Vulcan, AB T0L 2B0(403) 485-4100

Vulcan CountyBox 180, 102 Centre St.Vulcan, AB T0L 2B0(403) 485-2241

TF 1-877-485-2299

Town of VulcanBox 360, 321 - 2 St. S.Vulcan, AB T0L 2B0(403) 485-2417

Village of ArrowwoodBox 36, 22 Centre St.

Arrowwood, AB T0L 0B0(403) 534-3821

Village of ChampionBox 367

Champion, AB T0L 0R0(403) 897-3833

Village of CarmangayBox 130

Carmangay, AB T0L 0N0(403) 643-3595

Village of LomondBox 268

Lomond, AB T0L 1G0(403) 792-3611

Village of MiloBox 65

Milo, AB T0L 1L0(403) 599-3883

Community FuturesHighwood

14 McRae St., Box 1599Okotoks, AB T1S 1B5

(403) 995-4151

SouthGrowRegional InitiativeP.O. Box 27068

Lethbridge, AB T1K 6Z8(403) 394-0615

Oldman River RegionalServices Commission3105 - 16 Ave. N.

Lethbridge, AB T1H 5E8(403) 329-1344

TF 1-877-329-1387