A large crowd is expected for the two public hearings for the proposed Greystone development that has been two years in the making.

Both a statutory hearing for the area structure plan (ASP) and a nonstatutory hearing for its area 'C' neighbourhood plan will be held in the ABC Rooms in the Cochrane RancheHouse, 101 CochraneHouse Rd., tonight, June 18, starting at 7 p.m. In anticipation of a large crowd, the hearings have been moved out of the council chambers and into a larger room just down the hall.

Both Burnswest and Riverview Community Association, located adjacent to the development, have been encouraging both proponents and those with concerns to step forward during the public hearings.

Gerry Ertel, Riverview Community Association president, has previously given notice he will be speaking on behalf of the association and has requested a 30-minute time slot. Since then, Ertel says the association has prepared 11 separate submissions offering design alternatives.  

Among the top concerns is the question of maximum population density allowable in Greystone, not the anticipated density. Ertel says he believes the town doesn't want to deal with this issue during the public hearing.

"While the town and Burnswest have indicated the anticipated density of the Greystone development is proposed to be 8.2 units per acre (upa), they do not specify or disclose what the proposed maximum density is for the Greystone development," states Ertel in a letter to town officials.

Joshua Hagan, Burnswest vice-president of development, says the aim is to have 8.2 upa and they've reduced their maximum density to 12.6 from 13.4. That has primarily been done by adding more single-family parcels on the east end of the development, the area closest to Riverview while reducing high-density offerings. At the east end, there would be 5 upa, which he says complements and almost mirrors lot sizes in the Riverview community.

Riverview also questions how the town could accommodate the development with its current water licence for an estimated 40,000 people. The town, says the association, has already approved developments that at full build-out would accommodate a population of 51,000 and they estimate Greystone will add 2,860 to this total.

A blend of residential, commercial and light industry components are all part of the Greystone Development that started in earnest two years ago this month. There have been multiple public consultations and adjustments made to the plan.

The Burnswest development is designed to be a unique community within a community, bridging high-density and low-density housing, light industry and its own commercial hub that could potentially include a hotel, grocery store and other services. There are extensive recreational grounds largely located near the Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre.  It would also be a prime location to utilize smart technology with its proximity to the town's black fibre