Abraham Heights moves forward

Times Contributor

 

The second and third readings of the Abraham Heights Area Service Plan (ASP) passed Wheatland Council with one vote opposed, on July 16. It is a two phase, three-acre development of eight lots and an additional commercial lot, southwest of Strathmore.

Gareth Webster, engineering consultant retained by the county, recommended council not accept the ASP, which led to discussion of issues surrounding the plan. Webster indicated the development parameters were not consistent with the Municipal Development Plan (MDP), because it fragmented agricultural land and was not in a designated growth node. He also had other concerns.

“I am concerned with the conclusion that the plan theoretically states, the wells will service the area and remaining developments in the area,” said Webster. 

He suggested a ground water study be done to verify the conclusion. The ASP showed traffic would be pushed over the capacity limit, moving it into a type two category, requiring paving and upkeep of the intersection on Township 240 and RR254. He recommended the developer be responsible for those costs. Councillors also had concerns about storm water management plans for the lots, as there was no centralized plan suggested.

Patricia Maloney, planner for the developer, argued that those concerns could be dealt with during the re-designation stage of development, and expensive detailed studies were not required by the county at this stage in the past.

“In earlier plans we required them for some and not for others,” said Reeve Glenn Koester. “This is part of the growing pains with our Area Service Plans. We are trying to come up with a more consistent method to make it easier on staff and developers.”

Maloney argued they had complied with required studies and previous requests and conditions, which included moving an access road 15 m west of an Encana well easement and a promise to clean up fuel tanks and vehicles on the lots. She pointed out while the development wasn’t in a growth node; it was close to an urban centre, which was indicated as desirable in the MDP. She said the traffic increase would only be four vehicles at peak periods, and the intersection currently serviced county traffic going to the waste transfer site and Global Training. She felt it was unfair to place costs on one party. She felt levies or partnerships could be developed for the intersection later in the process. Landowner Danny Thiessen said they were trying to look to the future for the area and they wanted to be able to set aside property for their children. Thiessen said water issues were important, as it impacted their residence as well. Maloney said that each lot could incorporate a pond that would deal with storm water concerns. There currently were no objections from neighbours for the development.