Councillor’s Update – Rocky View County – Don Kochan – May 2023

Hi everyone, the following Division 2 information is for your use:

Division 2 Open House – An open house for Division 2 has been scheduled to be held at the Heritage Club on May 24th at 6:00 pm. RVC departments that will be on hand to share information on their programs include: agriculture, municipal enforcement, transportation, planning, communications, finance and the recreation department. This is a great opportunity to come and ask questions on how these departments may be able to assist you with issues that you may be experiencing or just obtaining a better understanding of how services are being provided.

2023 Budget – Council passed the 2023 operating budget on April 12th. The budget addresses inflationary needs being faced by the County as well as some service level adjustments. The increase would result in a 3% change in the municipal tax collected. For details of the 2023 budget please visit RVC’s website at www.rockyview.ca.

Springbank Recycling Centre – Administration was directed to make operational changes to the Springbank Recycle Depot at the March 14, 2023 Council Meeting to relieve vehicle congestion. Effective May 1, 2023 trailers will no longer be allowed on site, which coincides with the start of the seasonal branch program. Administration is continually researching appropriate options for relocating the branch bunker to a site that is more suitable for trailer traffic. In addition, Administration is considering hosting a branch collection day to accept larger amounts of materials and vehicles.

Springbank Area Structure Plan (ASP) – Since the Engagement Summary report has been prepared, revisions have been made to align with the Regional Growth Plan and to address community feedback. In accordance with the revised Terms of Reference for the Springbank ASP, further engagement was completed in the spring of 2022 and key community feedback themes included:

a) particular opposition to cluster residential and villa condo housing forms adjoining existing country residential areas

b) concerns on proposed minimum parcel size less than two acres,

c) support for one ASP covering the entire Springbank community

d) preserve agricultural and environmental lands and protect the rural character of Springbank

e) support for the continued development of public services along Range Road 33

f) support for limiting business uses to existing planned areas such as the Springbank Airport and the Highway 1/Range Road 33 intersection

g) expanding the western area structure plan boundary adjacent to Highway 1 to allow further business development opportunities

h) protection of environmental elements and wildlife corridors

i) concern regarding existing servicing solutions, especially wastewater and transportation infrastructure, and agreement that new development forms need to be supported by a regional servicing strategy and improved transport infrastructure

j) support for new pathway connections both within the community and connecting to a wider regional network; and,

k) support for providing open space within new developments, but concern with how to ensure that this space is public and that it does not see infill development in future.

The findings were presented to the Governance Committee on April 4th and administration received direction to present the findings to residents and relevant stakeholders for review and feedback (Q2 2023).

A public hearing is planned for (Q2-3 2023). The project background, supporting documents, and public engagement summaries are available on the project website: www.rockyview.ca/springbank-area-structure-plan.

Costco Application at Bingham Crossing– On February 7, 2023, the Development Permit for the proposed Costco warehouse within the Bingham Crossing development was conditionally approved by RVC’s Development Authority. Since that time, private landowners, operating businesses, and invested parties have submitted correspondence to Administration expressing their concerns or support for the project.

Letters of support included information on the overall benefit to the Springbank Area of which includes: growth and sustainability of the area, economic driver for the area (including Phase 1 of the Bingham Crossing development), creation of employment, enhanced amenities and local services for the Springbank and surrounding area.

Letters of opposition outlined concerns that include: lack of overall conformity and compliance with the Bingham Crossing policy documents, significant strain on existing infrastructure (Range Road 33, Township Road 250, Bridge overpass, and Old Banff Coach Road), lack of traffic and servicing infrastructure to support the development, detrimental impact to and loss of the Springbank sense of community, development concerns including environmental, emergency services,
and lighting.

On February 28, 2023, two affected party appeals were filed to the County’s Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB). The reasoning noted in both appeal submissions align with the opposition rationale noted above. The SDAB hearing started on March 30th and has been scheduled to resume on May 11th. A SDAB decision is expected to be provided 15 days after the close
of the hearing.