The date for a public hearing on the massive West Cochrane Burnco aggregate operation will soon be set.

Rocky View County council gave first reading to the bylaw on Sept. 1 that triggers the establishment of a public hearing. 

There will be a two-week window for public comments prior to the public hearing.

If successful, Burnco’s application would vastly expand its current approval to mine a quarter-section just west of Cochrane on the southside of Hwy, 1A . They seek to redesignate an additional 966 acres of land.

That impacts the land-use designation on portions of seven adjacent parcels. It would create a gravel pit development with a 30 to 35 year lifespan.

A Mar. 9th open house by Burnco provided an update on the proposed major expansion and allowed a second opportunity for public input. 

RVC council has also given first reading to a Summit Pit application on Hwy. 567.

The initial Summit application is currently tied up in a county appeal of a successful court challenge of the three gravel pits approved along Hwy. 567 by the last council. 

The new Summit Pit application seeks to redesignate the quarter section immediately south of quarter-section tied up in litigation and to approve a Master Site Development Plan that covers both quarter sections.

RVC marketing and communications manager Bart Goeman says the dates for these hearings have not yet been established.

An application for the 600 acre Scott Pit application in the Bearspaw area is currently being reviewed by the RVC planning department.

The Scott Pit application is to redesignate 600 acres in Bearspaw adjacent to Church Ranches and other country residential communities.  It's the third attempt by Lehigh Hanson, Inc. to convert this land into an open pit gravel operation.