Rocky View County (RVC) council voted in favour of first reading for Appendix 8 of the Watermark development, which would see a new 2,400-seat Centre Street Church built on a 30-acre parcel in the northeast section of the development.
The land will be donated by Calgary’s Damkar Family upon subdivision approval, to be used in part of their “life-long wish” to give back to the community.
“They’ve had this idea of gifting the land for the creation of the church for some time,” said Ken Venner, principal with B&A Planning Group.
“The Damkars are proposing to gift the site to the Centre Street Church at such time they receive approval from RVC for the subdivision - which could only occur after they approve the Conceptual Scheme amendment and the Land Use Amendment (which hasn’t happened yet). As such, the land has not yet been gifted.”
The 30-acre parcel will include the church, which will sit on 11 acres, 10 residential single-family homes and a 13-acre reserve parcel to be used in the future for senior’s housing.
If approved, the new facility will be the third Centre Street Church in the Calgary area, currently their main church is located on Centre Street in north Calgary and a secondary location – which will close if Watermark’s facility is approved – in Bridgeland in the south of Calgary.
“We’re going away from the traditional, typical church design,” Venner said, adding the church will be in line with the Watermark Conceptual Scheme.
The development will require the twinning of 12 Mile Coulee Road from Township Road 252 to 80th Ave to Tusselwood Drive, which essentially is the border between the City of Calgary and RVC.
The twinning was mandated by the City of Calgary.
“Yes, we’re putting more traffic on 12 Mile Coulee Road, but that won’t come at peak times,” Venner said.
“(The traffic) will be less significant than if it were going to be single residential. The overall impact we consider to be less.”
Along with the 2,400 seats the church will also come with 590 parking stalls – less than the 900 originally requested by RVC.
According to Byron Riemann, Rocky View’s general manager of Infrastructure and Operations, the County uses a square-foot calculation to determine the number of parking stalls, but agreed to the 590 parking stalls as the smaller figure would still meet their needs.
“Where are they going to park if there’s a big event?” asked Councillor Lois Habberfield.
Venner explained their application included event management protocols that would bus people into the facility.
Councillor Al Sacuta questioned the applicant’s plans for stormwater drainage and asked for more clarification to be presented to council.
Venner explained it is a low-density development with a lot of green space to absorb the excess run off.
He also explained the stormwater discharge will be determined at the subdivision phase.
Numerous residents spoke in favour at the public hearing, stating the church and its programming would be a welcome addition to the area.
No one spoke in opposition to the application.
Councillor Al Sacuta moved first reading but directed the applicant to return for second and third reading after more information regarding stormwater drainage, transportation conceptual plan, and an updated plan for EMS services was presented to council.
The applicant agreed and first reading was unanimously carried.
The applicant will return at the next council meeting which is scheduled for June 10.
