Rocky View County council unanimously approved a conceptual scheme to guide a proposed 45-acre residential community in Langdon.
The Mornington plan, which consists of about 146 single-family lots, is proposed for the hamlet’s northwest, adjacent to the existing neighbourhood of Langdon Crossings West.
“It complies with the Area Structure Plan and it’s a continuation of development in Langdon,” said Reeve Rolly Ashdown. “I can’t see anything negative about this development.”
Both hamlet and estate-style lots are planned, ranging from 0.13 acres to 1.03 acres in size. The overall density of the development will be 3.2 units per acre.
House designs will reflect the 1908 Langdon theme. Wide lots with side-attached garages, similar to nearby residential communities, are planned.
There is an existing 100-year-old historic house within the proposed development that will be maintained. A central green space with a stormwater pond, that will contain water during floods, is planned for Mornington.
The development will hook up to the Langdon Waterworks for potable water. Sewage treatment will be provided by Rocky View’s system.
A proposed extension of 1st Avenue North across the development will provide east-west access. A north-south access exists, but there is a jog in the road connection that is intended to limit through traffic.
A 30-foot buffer is planned on the east side of the development.
Several Langdon residents spoke in favour of the development including Shelagh Phelps, who played a large role in the recent and ongoing school playground construction.
“It’s a fresh approach supporting growth in the Hamlet,” said Phelps. “We welcome new residents in Langdon.”
Aaron Alberts, a Langdon resident since 1997, agreed.
“One thing Langdon does need is more people,” said Alberts. “We see businesses come in and try to make a go of it, and because of the lack of population, they fail miserably. People want to move to Langdon, but they are struggling with not enough services to make it worthwhile.”
The County received a letter outlining concerns about the development, including the lack of green space, playgrounds, seniors’ facility, traffic problems and average lot size, signed by 19 residents.
“We are adjacent landowners to this property and have concerns with the proposed development,” stated the letter, penned by Linda and Ian Nyeste and Marie Stadler of Langdon. “Ideally, this land should be used as a park…our second choice is to see plenty of green space accompanied with large lots sizes, providing a variety of housing options in the Langdon area.”
Longtime resident Cheryl Wilson said the developer misrepresented plans to the public.
“Initially, they were going to have a park and then the homes,” said Wilson, of the plan presented to the neighbours. “It was significant, it wasn’t just a little buffer zone. When you tell someone something, don’t change it.”
