A land-use amendment public hearing on Jan. 22 for parcels within the Southbow Landing is expected to overflow the council chambers.
There's a major lobby afoot by residents in South Cochrane to see the James Walker Trail completed before development begins.
This land use amendment is intended to facilitate medium and high-density residential development and is in alignment with the Southbow Landing Neighbourhood Plan. It proposes to change approximately 12.31 acres of land from Urban Holdings District (U-H) to Residential Medium Density District (RMD) and approximately 15.18 acres from Urban Holdings (U-H) to Residential High-Density District (R-HD).
The other two adjacent lots would remain high-density in line with the original plan.
"The new application continues to be in line with the Southbow Landing Neighbourhood Plan, as there is still an ability to meet the density targets established in the Neighbourhood Plan and required by the Municipal Development Plan," states the background report provided to town council on Jan. 8. "These areas were planned as high-density housing through the neighbourhood plan in order to concentrate the majority of density around the Village Centre and school sites, to promote a walkable and connected environment for residents."
The medium-density district is intended to provide street-facing townhomes and low-rise multi-unit dwellings that would be compatible with either low-density or high-density adjacent districts.
"Including medium density housing on one of the parcels continues to meet that goal, while achieving a more gradual transition from the existing single-family homes in The Willows," states the report.
The high-density district is intended for high-density multi-unit dwellings, to a maximum height of 25m.
In a letter to town councillors, Mayor Jeff Genung and Drew Hyndman, executive director of Development and Infrastructure Services, Riversong resident Dana Fenech stressed the need to address traffic congestion and the safety issues on River Heights Drive first. She says it simply cannot sustain any further increase in traffic flow.
"Under no circumstance should the South Bow Landing project be approved without the prerequisite completion of James Walker Trail, whether it involves an apartment complex or single-family housing," she states in the letter. "For years, residents have been assured that this expansion is the solution. The time for implementation is now, without further delay or excuses.
"The entire community looks to each of you to make the logical decision that any development for South Bow is contingent upon the completion of the James Walker Trail expansion."
Hyndman is encouraging people to attend the public hearing to get full details and voice their views. He says there are rumours circulating on social media that there has been an application for a nine-storey building in a medium-density district.
"There are several people saying that there's a proposal for a nine-storey building at this location, that's not the case," Hyndman told council. "There is a land-use application at this point, however, it's important to understand what the parameters of that zoning would be. It would allow if it was rezoned by council to high-density. Twenty-five metres is the maximum height requirement within that district."
He acknowledged several people were watching the meeting to hear the discussion leading up to the public hearing.
"I just was on the phone here before coming downstairs and to encourage people to attend the public hearing and provide their input to council, I think that's the process. And then certainly when we get to second and third reading, there's an opportunity for council to get more information from us as well."
The hearing will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 22.
Tue, Apr 30, 6:30 PM
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