Rocky View County council unanimously approved the redesignation of a portion of land from the Ranch and Farm District to Natural Resource Industrial to facilitate a 57-acre gravel crushing operation, July 12.
The parcel of land is located 10 kilometres northeast of Airdrie and seven kilometres north of Highway 567. The gravel crushing operation will run three to four months out of the year, Monday to Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Councillor Al Sacuta expressed concerns over how the excavating and crushing would affect the neighbours.
“I think that the noise and dust could be a problem. It’s a little bit of the risk buying a parcel of land in an agricultural area,” he said.
Doug Badke, the redesignation applicant, assured council that gravel pits would be excavated at six metres deep and that a three metre berm would surround the pits, decreasing any noise and visual impact for neighbours.
Concern was also raised over whether Highway 567 is able to handle the increased truck traffic that the gravel mine would provide, about 8,000 trucks travelling to and from the site over the course of a year.
According to Badke, a Traffic Impact Assessment has been submitted and reviewed by Alberta Transportation.
“We’ll take a look at the highway and determine if it’s capable of increased truck traffic,” he said. “The pavement has been found to be thicker than the standard requirement for high traffic volumes, but it’s still in its preliminary form. We’ll go back to Alberta Transportation for discussion of the road structure.”
Badke also said Alberta Transportation has indicated it is likely a roadside development permit can be issued.
The permit will likely be conditional, providing the section of the highway that the operation will use be upgraded as required.
This will be addressed at the development permit stage.
Councillor Lois Habberfield was optimistic that the traffic network issues would be solved and supported the application.
“Another plus is that the land is located near a paved road. It makes sense to do all of the studies that are needed with approval from council,” she said
Councillor Greg Boehlke voiced his support for the redesignation.
“Listening to the speakers, it seems like the visual aspects, noise and dust won’t be a problem to deal with. These are people who’ve done business in this area and I don’t believe they’re out to make enemies with their neighbours,” he said.
