The Town of Chestermere is about to undergo a massive make-over as it prepares to welcome 46,000 new residents over the next 10 years to the lakeside community.
On Feb. 18, Chestermere’s Town council gave third reading and final approval to the Master Area Structure Plan (MASP) for the 2,400-acre Waterbridge Development in West Chestermere.
“After extensive review and hard work by all involved, we’re excited to see the plan for Chestermere’s west side take place” said Mayor Patricia Matthews. “We expect future plans, including the large commercial area in Phase 1 will be reflective of Chestermere’s unique character and anticipate we will be seeing those plans quickly.”
The next step for the developers will be to create Area Structure Plans (ASP) to provide more detailed views of specific sections of the development. The first phase of development has been identified as containing a large commercial area and space for future recreational facilities.
Once an ASP is approved, the developers need to create more detailed outline plans and subdivision plans before construction can begin. Future public hearings and opportunities for public comment will be announced as the phases proceed.
No dates had been set as of press time.
“Going forward, Town staff will work with the developers to ensure that applications brought forward are consistent with our Municipal Development Plan and Land Use Bylaw, provide opportunities for stakeholder engagement, and meet the regulatory guidelines to ensure Chestermere’s best interests are at heart as the development progresses,” said Heather Kauer, Town of Chestermere senior planner.
Waterbridge will open the town to more development – both residential and commercial – and has been in the works since 2009 when the Town annexed 6,500 hectares of land from Rocky View County and revisited their Master Development Plan (MDP).
“The 2,400 acres being proposed in Waterbridge is part of the 6,500 hectares (annexed lands) and I would have to say that the Town residents would expect something similar to this since they participated in crafting the town’s MDP in 2009,” Matthews told the Rocky View Weekly in December 2013.
Chestermere’s 2009 MDP identified the lands for future urban development, which was envisioned primarily for residential development, while also supporting regional, commercial and business park/employment areas.
According to the development proposal complied by B&A Planning Group, the development will feature “four communities, together with a business park at the north end along the Trans-Canada Highway and a town centre located central to the area along Chestermere Boulevard.”
The development went through a public hearing on Jan. 20 at the Town Hall where 60 residents took part and listened to the developers vision for the area.
Throughout the process the development didn’t come up against strong opposition, a sign that the residents of Chestermere are looking for the change that Waterbridge promises to bring, according to correspondence received during the public hearing.
Some residents felt the development would take away from the “small-town” feel, while a majority of others submitted written correspondence to Town officials saying that the development would be much-needed infrastructure and help booast property resale values.
For more information on Waterbridge visit www.chestermere.ca
