A public hearing on proposed land-use amendments for one of Cochrane's largest neighbourhoods and whether the town should reduce black bin waste collection to every two weeks are two items expected to draw the most attention at tonight's town council meeting.

A proposed criteria for establishing off-leash dog parks in existing neighbourhoods will also be discussed.

Following on the footsteps of receiving approval for amendments to stage 2 of the Sunset Ridge Area Structure Plan (ASP) amendments to its stage 3 neighborhood plan on Feb. 11, tonight's public meeting addresses the land-use amendments for stage 3. If approved over time 635 units developed and an estimated 1,900 residents added at full buildout.

Six town councillors supported the stage 3 neighbourhood plan the meeting previous, believing it crucial to provide a second exit from the community of over 5,000 people. They say they have been hearing before, during and after the election from residents about the importance of this second exit.

"The residents of Sunset Ridge have been waiting and I wouldn't say patiently," said Mayor Genung.

Some also spoke favourably of the school site, off-leash dog park, parkland and trail connectivity that are included in the plan for Stage 3.

Standing alone in opposition to approving the neighbourhood plan was Councillor Morgan Nagel. He believes the impact of the second exit will be nominal and won't improve commutes to Calgary or into Cochrane's town centre. He is also convinced residents feel we have enough approvals in place for future homes. If approved tonight, he estimates there will be approvals in place for over 11,000 homes future homes.

"I just feel like there's a really broad consensus in our community that people feel we've approved too many developments. The future of Cochrane is too unknown, so much has been approved and so much is subject to market whines now."

Allowing more growth has been a pet peeve of Nagel since first elected in 2013 but he hasn't been able to garner enough support for his position from either of the last two councils. He says he's tried many different tactics, some diplomatic, some not so.

"I don't really know what else to do to try and get this message across. And if I thought I was just representing a minority view in Cochrane, so be it, I would say my bit and leave it alone. The thing is, I genuinely believe that well over 50 per cent of existing Cochrane residents aren't happy with the prospect of us becoming a great big city of 50,000-60,000 people any time soon, but that's the course that we're on."

Only 150 units can be developed in stage 3 until there left turning lanes are constructed exiting Sunset Boulevard on to Hwy. 22. The town is requesting the provincial government to expand the scope of the Hwy. 22 - 1A interchange to reach Sunset Boulevard. Currently, the plan includes work to just north of the RancheHouse Rd. turnoff.

Approval recommended for reduced black bin collection

Town administration is recommending council proceed with reducing black cart (waste) pickup to every other week from the weekly pickup now received in residential areas.

Pushback by some residents saw the town launch Mission Impossible which appears to have been completed on a small scale. In the end,  the town worked with two families, one with four members, the other with five. When sorting the garbage it was found only 6 to 13 per cent was actually garbage in the black bin and the rest was composed or recyclables and organics that belonged in the blue and green carts. The garbage carts were again sorted two weeks later and the carts were less than half full and the recyclables and organics in the black cart were reduced by 70 to 80 per cent.

Prior to this, town councillor Marni Fedeko completed her own trash audit in early January because she had her doubts  black bin pickup every other week was feasible. The first sorting revealed her family of five could have diverted 69 per cent of the waste in their black bin to either the blue or green bin. The second time around that 69 per cent dropped to 17 per cent and their black bin was less than 50 per cent full.

Off-Leash Dog Parks

A criteria for establishing off-leash parks in existing neighbourhoods returns to council tonight.

In November, council sent back the first draft seeking further clarification.

The Parks and Recreation Committee is bringing forward a 14 point criteria tonight.