Wheatland County speaks out

Times Contributor

 

Wheatland County Reeve Glenn Koester spoke to the Kneehill County Council at the Area Structure Plan (ASP) public hearing, prior to approval of second reading for the Badlands Motorsport Resort development.

He pointed out that the development was partially in Wheatland County. While the idea was presented for information to council who agreed to the idea in principle, the developer had not given them an ASP or met with them to discuss the issues within Wheatland County jurisdiction.

“We have to be protected as well,” said Koester, about Wheatland County ratepayer and council interests.

The Wheatland council had given him permission to present their concerns to the Kneehill Council and the developer.

He said rezoning had to take place before the ASP can be approved. He spoke to road modifications in the plan that had not been approved by Wheatland Council, which also would require work agreements. He said there were also errors in the specifications, giving the example of 30 foot setbacks that should have been 125 feet. The plan also lists a comment that future housing expansion into Wheatland County is possible, but the developer didn’t consult or have approval for that.

He felt there should be better communication, so the whole process didn’t resemble a dog’s breakfast.

“There should have been an understanding between the two counties at the outset. There has to be dialogue and this should be done sooner than later,” Koester said.

He encouraged the Kneehill Council to retain a third party consultant to do an independent, unbiased environmental study, with special considerations to the unique wildlife, vegetation, water and storm water impacts on the wetlands and Rosebud River. 

“The cumulative effects on the environment are huge,” Koester said.

He was concerned that backup servicing plans listed Rosebud as a possibility and no discussion or approval had been given. Nothing in the plan addressed ongoing road maintenance or use of county emergency services. He said he also would have liked to seen landowner concerns addressed. He said he shortened his list of concerns, due to the time constraints, but would like to discuss them at length in future discussions.

Koester commended Kneehill Council for extending the meeting so all residents could be heard, and looked forward to hearing from Kneehill and the developer on the issues he had raised. Third reading will be decided on June 25.