A public hearing on the land-use designations of the town's soon-to-be acquired quarter-section north of Heritage Hills will resume on Dec. 9.

More information is sought on a proposed Southland Transportation development in the northwest corner of the parcel by the Heritage Hills Community Association.

It is proposed that all but seven-acres of the land be designated as public service to allow for the creation of the Horse Creek Sports Park, and a future high school.

While concern was expressed over noise, light pollution and the visual impact of the sports park, Heritage Hills residents are most concerned over the bus depot.

In an unprecedented move, town council opted to keep the public hearing open to allow the Heritage Hills Community Association to meet with Southland Transportation to gain a better under their operational plans, particularly the routes being travelled.

Struggling to find a suitable location for years, Southland and the town have been in discussion over finding a home for Southland on the property. Currently, Southland stores buses and operates on Griffin Rd. just beyond River Ave.

The proceeds from the land sale would be used to help the town cover the cost of servicing the land. The town must service the land in order to acquire it from Rocky View Schools.

Three representatives of the Heritage Hills Community Association, including president Trent Leinenweber,  says the biggest concern is further traffic congestion along Hwy. 1A.

Southland currently operates 127 buses here. Leinenweber told council this equates to another 1,000 vehicles passing through the Hwy. 1A-22 interchange each day from Monday to Friday.

The delegation pointed out the traffic study utilized is out-of-date. Both Heritage Hills and Heartland have grown substantially and a police station is being established in the Heartland community shortly.

The town explained traffic studies will be conducted through each stage of the approval process before shovels hit the ground for each of the bus depot, sports park, law enforcement and school projects.

Leinenweber is pleased they'll have a chance for their first face-to-face with Southland officials this Friday. The town's planning dept. will also be represented.

"We just want some commitments from Southland, and we're sure we're going to get there. We just haven't had a chance to meet them, hence why we just want a bit more time so we can actually meet with Southland, who have been very good neighbours in the past. We expect to be able to get what we're both looking for."

Leinenweber says they want the buses to avoid travelling 1A as much as possible.

At the public hearing, a representative of Southlands briefly indicated the routes proposed would be 50-50 split between Hwy 1A and Township Rd. 262. 

The proposed Southland project could potentially become the first Direct Control parcel approved under a bylaw currently before council.

The purpose and intent of this district is to provide for the establishment of a direct control land use district where council determines it is appropriate to exercise particular control over the use and development of land or buildings on specific lands within town limits.