Rocky View County council approved a redesignation application for a 90-lot residential community, Nov. 29.
The quarter section, located four kilometres east of Chestermere, belongs to longtime residents and farmers John and Doreen Knight.
The decision was made after a seven-year process during which the Knights prepared a conceptual scheme and were turned down during their first redesignation hearing in June 2009.
“I am very excited and very happy with the results of the hearing,” said Knight.
Meadowlands Country Estates conceptual scheme was adopted by council in September 2007 and calls for 90 half-acre lots with an equestrian theme.
The plan called for a multiplex that would house a riding arena, stables, exercise room, greenhouse and space for community functions.
The development also features pasture, parks and pathways.
The community will get its water from communal wells, while wastewater will be treated and piped five kilometres to the East Rocky View Wastewater Transmission Line.
Access to the community will be from Range Road 274.
Two wet ponds and two evaporation ponds will provide stormwater management for the development.
Several residents spoke in favour of the development including Mark Brand.
“We feel this proposal is a diverse, well-thought-out development offering a great opportunity for many members of the community,” he said.
Neighbour Dan Owen agreed, saying the development would increase property values in the area.
“I see it as a way of... enhancing the infrastructure in the area without the taxpayers paying for it.”
Despite the support, several residents raised concerns about the possible impact to roads, water, dust, flooding and the loss of farmland.
“We can’t allow the development of the top-producing land until we have utilized lesser land,” said neighbour Alan Dugdale.
Jeff Bishop, who farms 4,500 acres in Rocky View, was concerned that paving the road might cause road weight bans, making it difficult for large trucks to visit his land.
“Township Road 240 is crucial to ag producers in the area,” he said.
Councillor Al Sacuta also opposed the development, raising a concern with the stormwater plan in the area.
“This thing doesn’t belong here,” he said. “It’s not on the (GMS) map and it’s not in the strategy.”
Councillor Kim Magnuson agreed.
“For me, it is too dense,” she said. “It spells some kind of disaster in the future.”
All seven other councillors were in favour of the development, saying technical issues would have to be proven at the next stage of the regulatory process.
“The area will flourish because of this,” said Councillor Greg Boehlke.
Councillor Earl Solberg said the community is a new form of country residential land development that would ultimately preserve farmland.
“It is an excellent live and play community,” said Solberg. “There is going to be significant monetary benefit to (the neighbourhood). I think it fits our Agricultural Master Plan.”
