The east Balzac High Plains Industrial Park is one step closer to fruition.
Rocky View County council unanimously approved a rezoning application for 143 acres of farmland, Feb. 22, allowing for creation of the first phase of the proposed 1,280-acre industrial area.
“Although it may not be suitable for residential development, it is a very good area for commercial growth,” said Division 7 Councillor Lois Habberfield. “This is just another piece of the puzzle.”
Phase one involves development of land that includes a Nexen level-one sour gas well and several wetlands.
The concept plan calls for two public utility lots and a treed environmental reserve lot, as well as a trail connecting the development to a proposed regional pathway expected to eventually extend north along Range Road 291.
When completed, there will be about 20 industrial lots with a minimum size of 2.5 acres.
The lots will be serviced by County-owned water and sanitary systems.
The developer will collect and treat run-off for re-use and sale within the development. Rainwater will be naturally filtered through ditches, existing wetlands and a stormwater pond, after which it will pass through a traditional water treatment plant. The developer plans to sell the resulting water to businesses within the development for industrial processing activities.
Olds College will conduct ongoing research on the treatment system as part of its curriculum.
