A minimum setback of 50.0 m is required from the top of bank of the North Saskatchewan River for any development, unless the development officer is provided with an environmental assessment, geotechnical assessment, or both, prepared by a qualified professional in accordance with County requirements, which verifies that a lesser setback is warranted.

A minimum setback of 36.0 m is required from the top of bank of Oldman Creek within the plan area of the North of Yellowhead Area Concept Plan for any development, unless the development officer is provided with an environmental assessment, geotechnical assessment, or both, prepared by a qualified professional in accordance with County requirements, which verifies that a lesser setback is warranted.

A minimum setback of 30.0 m is required from the top of bank of any other watercourse or water body, unless the development officer is provided with an environmental assessment, geotechnical assessment, or both, prepared by a qualified professional that verifies that a lesser setback is warranted.

The minimum setback and the requirements for an environmental and geotechnical assessment indicated in sections 3.6(1), 3.6(2), and 3.6(3) above may be reduced or eliminated where the development officer determines that the proposed structure or building is incidental to the operation of a utility service (i.e., a pump shack) and the development authority is satisfied that there is no risk or adverse effect on development or the riparian area.

No trees shall be cleared or removed from any land which lies within the minimum setback from the top of bank to a watercourse or water body, unless the development officer receives written confirmation from a qualified professional indicating:

1. (a) that the removal is necessary in order to provide access to the watercourse or water body; and
2. (b) the area where trees or vegetation may be removed.

A development officer shall not approve an application for a building within a floodway.

The development authority may require a report to be submitted in accordance with section 2.7(2) in support of a development permit application for a building on an existing lot which is, or may be, affected by a watercourse, water body or flood fringe area.

Despite any other regulation in this bylaw, the development authority may increase any required setback for any use in any zone where written confirmation from a qualified professional is received that a proposed development:

1. (a) may be detrimental to the conservation of environmentally sensitive lands; or
2. (b) may be affected by being in a floodplain or in proximity to steep or unstable slopes; or
3. (c) may increase the degree of hazard presented by an existing environmental feature.

If the increased setback cannot be met, the development officer shall require that the applicant submit a report, prepared by a qualified professional in accordance with County requirements, identifying preventive engineering and construction measures that shall deem the lot suitable for the proposed development.