Crossfield residents voiced concerns for the proposed Northwest Area Structure Plan (ASP) at an open house meeting on May 20.
Crossfield administrative staff is working towards an agreement with Dream Development that would have an ASP in place for the development of land in the northwest portion of Crossfield, according to Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Ken Bosman.
Approximately 50 community members were in attendance at the public hearing. John Murphy gave a powerpoint presentation questioning the proposed development in Crossfield.
“I’m not here against, nor am I for the project,” said Murphy. “I’m simply going to say I’m not for it right now.”
During his presentation Murphy brought up many issues he felt would arise if the development went through. He was concerned about the environmental impact to the wetlands and impacts on the town infrastructure - including water pressure, traffic routes, urban sprawl policing and low-cost housing.
He also asked what the benefits were for current citizens. Would taxes go up or down? Will Crossfield lose its small-town atmosphere or its identity?
“For me I am presently OK with my taxes,” said Murphy. “Another development is not going to lower them or increase any service to me or the atmosphere of the town I live in.
“I guess I’m not against development, but (I’m) really for small towns.”
One of the most prominent issues brought forward was the number of areas being developed in town already, such as Iron Landing and Shantz Place.
“I think another developer is presently not warranted at this time,” Murphy said.
According to Murphy, with all the different developments in Crossfield, there will be a total of 1819 units that could be built in Iron Landing, Shantz Place, Sunset Ridge and the yet-to-be-named Dream Development area.
“I’m against why are we developing all at once,” Murphy said.
Bosman responded by saying the proposed numbers are based off of ASPs approved by Crossfield and they do in fact total up to about 1,700 lots. Bosman added those are highly theoretical numbers.
“The major function of an Area Structure Plan is to ensure proper sizing for sewers, waterlines and roads to facilitate future development,” said Bosman. “In reality these ASPs are lines drawn on paper, they cannot be bought or sold. In fact they don’t even legally exist.”
Bosman said that they represent a long-term concept plan and is not the end-all-be-all for total lots.
Bosman said there is an incredibly long distance between an ASP and real lots on the ground that can actually be purchased.
Bosman added in actuality the only developments that are ready to be built and have a plan in place are a small amount of Iron Landing and the Dream Development property.
“The other subdivision ASPs, Greenview, Sunset, Shantz, are all currently dormant,” said Bosman. “Those developers have made no indication to the Town that they will be pursuing in the short-or medium-term.”
Administration has begun including information on the Town’s Facebook page to help clarify the information that has been circulated around the community.
