Rocky View council suggested CN Logistics Park developers prepare a conceptual scheme to extend the development, Nov. 6.
The project is currently under construction near Conrich, with a target completion date of January 2013.
Administration said those responsible for the development want council’s input before submitting an application to add 310 acres to the park, located about 1.5 kilometres east of Conrich and immediately north of Township Road 250.
Access to the site will be via Township Road 250 — a paved road in the area.
Councillors brought up concerns about road infrastructure in the area with the increase traffic expected as a result of the greater Conrich area having been identified as a growth area for the county.
Councillor Greg Boehlke said nothing is suggested in the conceptual scheme guidelines to address necessary infrastructure improvements such as an overpass to accommodate traffic and warned council may be “missing the boat.”
He said this was the perfect opportunity to get developers and CN together to fix the problem before it becomes a serious issue in the area, which has been slated for growth by the County.
“We know, down the road, we need the overpass,” said Boehlke.
Councillor Lois Habberfield agreed and pointed out there needs to be a way to get truck traffic across the tracks without impacting county roads.
Byron Riemann, the County’s general manager for infrastructure and operations, said the Province has plans for improvements to the interchange of Rainbow Road and Highway 1 south of the development will draw truck traffic away.
Habberfield said there are several developers on the east side of Conrich who want to build projects, adding the cost of any potential road improvements has be considered in the conceptual plan whether through a levy or by paying up front.
“Let’s be a little forward-thinking,” agreed Boehlke.
Other councillore concurred and requested the conceptual scheme application include a traffic impact analysis with improvements needed to ensure safe and efficient traffic flows.
