Council launches fact-finding mission on city status

Cochrane is the size of a small city, but is there any advantage to changing our status? 

Last night, council agreed it should flush out the fact once and for all.

"I want to find out what the pros and cons are and then have a good debate about it, and get some input from the community," said Councillor Susan Flowers, who made the motion.

Comments by Councillor Morgan Nagel, the loner naysayer, sparked further discussion. He completely rejected the idea of examining the issue, believing the very investigation will not sit well with residents.

Nagel pointed to the recent public hearing on two Southbow Landing land parcels

"I have never seen a public hearing so large, so long or so passionate in all my years on council as to what we witnessed here recently, and I think that was not just about those nine-storey structures. It was a flashpoint in a sentiment in our community that feels like we are growing way too quickly and abandoning our small-town roots."

He believes council is perceived to be pro-growth by many residents. He says that's not necessarily the case and that there is an application process that must be followed.

A major plank in Councillor Nagel's first election campaign way back in 2013 centred upon Cochrane maintaining that small-town feel and to properly manage growth and transportation corridors. It's a position he has consistently maintained.

While not necessarily agreeing with the idea of becoming a city, Councillor Patrick Wilson expressed faith in the public understanding the need to take a look.

"It's an insult to the intelligence of our residents to say that a fact-finding mission will stir a crazy hornet's nest that can't be stopped," said Wilson. "I think it's simply a fact-finding mission and once we have the details after that, I'm more than happy to put the brakes on changing to a city status, and suspect I wilI, but I will support the mission tonight."

Councillor Tara McFadden said Cochrane has added 20,000 people to its population since she was first elected in 2007 and believes it has been successful in maintaining that small-town feel.

"The fact that people still feel in our 30,000-35,000 population that we still have a small-town feel that needs to be protected, I think it's a win for community planning for the last decade and a half."

Despite the public perception it might create, Mayor Genung says it's important for the town what options are available, especially if millions of dollars in grants are on the line. He believes this isn't the time to take a side.

Councillor Alex Reed spoke briefly, saying his only interest is understanding the financial implications of becoming a city.

Town administration will be providing a report at town council's committee-of-the-whole meeting on Apr. 15.