It’s been a long road for Kevin Peterson, but his development, Mackenas Country Estates, will soon be a reality.
Rocky View County council approved Peterson’s subdivision application, placing final conditions on the development of Phase two, which will include 14 new country residential lots.
The development, located three miles west of the boundary of Calgary in Elbow Valley, has been in the works for about five years.
The first phase, which includes seven houses, is already complete.
In June 2006, council re-designated the land for the future development of 22 residential parcels to be developed in two phases. However, the project was stalled because of the unavailability of regional wastewater utility service.
On May 25, council amended its bylaw, allowing for individual wastewater treatment systems to be installed in the development as an option for wastewater.
The systems will use JET BAT (Biologically Accelerated Treatment) sewage units, which utilize anaerobic technology to treat effluent.
The resulting treated water is of higher quality than a conventional septic system, according to the manufacturer.
It will be the first time this type of system will be used on such a large scale within Rocky View, although a number of developments, such as Priddis Greens in Foothills County and Harvie Heights in the MD of Bighorn, use the systems.
Councillor Gordon Branson is pleased with the solution.
“If this works as well as the science says it will, we will be able to move forward in other areas,” said Branson.
Several conditions were placed on the developer during subdivision approval including a groundwater and soil-monitoring program, which will involve several shallow soil monitoring wells.
Council said the development should tie into the regional wastewater line if the City of Calgary will allow it at a later date. The infrastructure to do so is already in place.
Administration also recommended that the developer pave a 400 metre pathway, which is located offsite on county-owned land on the east side of Range Road 31, to further develop the regional pathway system.
However, in light of the difficulties the developer faced, Branson suggested the County partner with developers to pave the path.
“I hope it isn’t typical that we have eight or nine planners on a file,” said Branson.
Despite opposition, council decided to supply the necessary materials while the developer supplies the manpower and equipment.
“There are a lot of things that are in the pilot project that are back on the developer,” said Councillor Greg Boehlke. “I don’t think it is that big of a deal and it shows compatibility. It (partnering) shows we are human.”
