After a lengthy public hearing, Rocky View County council tabled a request to close 6.3 acres of an undeveloped road allowance for consolidation, just off of Highway 22, north of Cochrane, Nov. 8.
The move was made to allow staff to determine whether a County-standard road could be built on the road allowance.
“The best option is postponement,” said area Councillor Paul McLean.
“Is it even possible to build a road through?”
The applicant, George Thompson, has used the road allowance in his farming operation for years.
However, the adjacent land was recently bought and the new owner, Dennis Campbell, said Thompson’s barn, fence and corrals encroached on the road allowance and his property.
The issue has created tension between the neighbours, as Campbell wants the road allowance to stay open to ensure access to his property should he wish to subdivide in the future.
“I have the option to legally allow one subdivision,” said Campbell.
“I need to provide legal access.”
The County staff report indicated Thompson was willing to provide land for access to Campbell’s land.
Thompson recently re-fenced his property and removed the offending infrastructure.
He made the application to rectify the problem of his barn being built on the road allowance, according to Bob Berrien, who spoke on Thompson’s behalf.
“We are dealing with a lot of situations that are going back to 1905,” said Berrien.
“This is a good deal, it straightens things out. I think this (consolidation) is going to solve this and I would urge you to look at this.”
Staff received seven letters of support for the consolidation and three letters in opposition.
Councillors Kim Magnuson, Earl Solberg, Rolly Ashdown, Rick Butler, Al Sacuta, Greg Beohlke and McLean voted in favour of tabling the decision, while Margaret Bahcheli and Lois Habberfield voted in opposition.
The issue will be brought to the Dec. 13 council meeting.
