Eagle Heights Development permit revoked

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Town of Strathmore announced Feb. 13 the Development Permit D24-114, being for the Eagle Heights development has been cancelled.

A statement was released to the public indicating a review of the file by the Development Authority, which identified an error in the permitting process. 

“The proposed development application exceeded the maximum site area and density requirements set out in the Town’s Land Use Bylaw,” read the statement. “A variance would have been required to allow the proposed development, but a variance was not granted when Development Permit D24-114 was issued. As a result, Development Permit D24-114 was cancelled.”

The statement added the lands remain districted as High Density (R3) District and may still be developed in accordance with the Town’s Land Use Bylaw. 

Any future development permit applications will have to be processed in accordance with the bylaw in order to be allowed to proceed. 

The Eagle Heights development, brought forward by Seymour Pacific Developments in 2024, proposed the construction of 147 apartments across two buildings. 

Prior to the cancellation announcement, the subject of the proposed development was brought to Town of Strathmore council’s attention by the Strathmore Bird Sanctuary Initiative during the Feb. 5 regular meeting. 

Denis Manzer and Simon Metke, who spoke before council, expressed concerns regarding the proposed destruction of a local heritage forest, as well as the damage construction of a parking lot and apartment complex would have to the adjacent water body and wetland. 

“Since there was a mistake in the development permit of the exceeding the maximum site area and density requirements it is really good that it got cancelled before the whole place got bulldozed and the whole parking lot was here and then they found out the mistake happened and potentially had to shut it down after all the damage was already done,” said Metke. “We are really happy that the town was able to look into the details … it looked obvious that it was exceeding rational development in this area. We are really glad that it got noticed … that it is being scrutinized properly.”

Manzer added the Bird Sanctuary Initiative team has been receiving a large outpouring of support since their presentation before council and to instead see the land protected as an official bird sanctuary. 

The Strathmore Bird Sanctuary Initiative has expressed their intention to raise enough money to purchase the property from the original owner, as the title is still in their name and has not yet been legally passed to Seymour Pacific Developments. 

“The property, what it is being asked for is around $1.1 million, so it is not unreasonable and ultimately it would be a much greater asset in the long run if it is preserved,” said Metke. 

Moving forward, added Metke, will be to appeal to the Subdivision Development and Appeal Board to attempt to see the land rezoned under the Land Use Bylaw. 

“Our future conversations with the town are to be, how much is this actually worth for the Town of Strathmore to keep intact, what would a bird sanctuary do for the town economically – the tourism revenue would, I think, far outweigh what it would be worth to destroy that,” said Manzer. “Not just the tourism value, but the educational value. It is going to be such a cool place for kids to come to learn about birds and the natural history of Strathmore, as well as the cultural history of Strathmore.”

The team has not published an official fundraising plan as of the publication of this article regarding how to bring together the $1.1 million, though funding sources such as Ducks Unlimited, Birds Canada, and the Alberta Wildlife Association, among others, are being actively considered to approach with the idea. 

Seymour Pacific Developments has not released a public statement regarding the revocation of the development permit, nor have they yet responded to a request for comment.

More information regarding the Strathmore Bird Sanctuary Initiative is available via their Facebook page or via email (strathmorebirdsanctuary@gmail.com).