Two subdivision applications were tabled by Rocky View County (RVC) council until further information is available regarding pipeline routing through the lands to transport stormwater drainage to the Bow River. As Horse Creek runs through the property, it is an important drainage course for the area.
Located immediately west of the Town of Cochrane, the quarter sections contain portions of land that are isolated by Highway 1A and by the Canadian Pacific (CP) Railway Line respectively. The County Plan contains a provision that allows for the subdivision of isolated portions of land without prior redesignation.
“We ran an overland pipeline on this property when we were draining Cochrane Lake,” Councillor Al Sacuta said. “I’m wondering if we need to try for a right-of-way that would allow us to run a future drainage line that might be needed over this parcel to the Bow River.
According to administration’s report, a utility right-of-way easement is required along the lands for a stormwater discharge line for the Hamlet of Cochrane Lake. With the two right-of-ways, administration said they hope to construct a line all the way from the hamlet to the Bow River.
The first application was initially approved unanimously, however upon further discussion, Sacuta said he’d like to see council reconsider the decision.
“You don’t want to cross the railway, you don’t want to go through the Town of Cochrane, so the best way to get this line is straight south until you get to the south property line here and then shoot straight across to the (Bow River),” Sacuta said. “I would like to know, from an engineering perspective what the best way is to get this line down.”
RVC administration said there are topography constraints to consider with all suggested routes, but amended the conditions of approval on the second application to include an updated right-of-way along the southern boundary of the property. However, this routing would require permission from either the Town of Cochrane or CP, depending on which direction RVC chooses to take the line.
According to Councillor Jerry Arshinoff, based on discussions he had with CP in the summer of 2014 regarding the pumping of Cochrane Lake, RVC would likely not receive permission to install a permanent drainage pipe under CP’s railway line.
“I spoke to about a dozen CP people, and all of them said they would not give permission for anything permanent,” he said. “The only consideration was something temporary, and as everybody knows, it had to be removed before freeze-up.”
Area Councillor Bruce Kendall said he has been told that future phases of the Monterra development at Cochrane Lake will require a discharge to the Bow River in order to proceed.
“I think it’s incumbent upon us to make sure that we have a viable route for discharge to the river before we make a decision (on the applications),” he said. “I would consider making a tabling motion so that this could be explored in a little more detail so we could be somewhat certain that we are making the right decision for the long term.”
Kendall’s motion was carried unanimously, and Councillor Rolly Ashdown moved to reconsider the approval given on the first item. The motion passed with no opposition, and Kendall’s motion to table the first item was also carried unanimously.
Both items will return to council at a future meeting when administration can provide more information.
