What's the Difference Between Subdivision and Development?
Subdivision refers to a process of dividing a tract or tracts of land for the purpose of creating new titles.
According to the Foothills County Land Use Bylaw, Development means:
- an excavation or stockpile and the creation of either of them,
- a building or an addition to or replacement or repair of a building and the construction or placing of any of them in, on, over or under land of any of them,
- a change of use of land or a building or an act done in relation to land or a building that results in or is likely to result in a change in the use of the land or building, or
- a change in the intensity of use of land or a building or an act done in relation to land or a building that results in or is likely to result in a change in the intensity of use of the land or building.
Subdivision is sometimes a component of the land development process. For instance if someone wanted to develop a large agricultural parcel for the purpose of residential development, they would likely apply to subdivide that parcel into smaller lots of an appropriate size for a residential use. This development process would have other components as well, there may be an outline plan approval required to establish the framework for development followed by a redesignation application to change the land use designation from agricultural to an appropriate residential zoning.
Following the land use change an application would be made for subdivision and then a development agreement would be required binding the developer to construct roads, approaches, stormwater management facilities and / or septic or wastewater facilities and to install servicing and to pay any off site levies or other fees deemed applicable by the County.