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Streelight request denied

Despite a formal petition, put together by 27 of the 30 businesses located in Springbank Commercial Park, streetlights will not be installed in the subdivision.

Despite a formal petition, put together by 27 of the 30 businesses located in Springbank Commercial Park, streetlights will not be installed in the subdivision.

Rocky View County council unanimously voted down a local tax improvement plan, which would have seen the area lit up at night.

“Although we appreciate the fact that the commercial residents were willing to pay for the lights, we just saw that the community at large was against it,” said Reeve Rolly Ashdown.

On Feb. 8, council deemed the petition was valid and directed staff to proceed with a local improvement plan, that would have had businesses paying for installation of the lights over five years.

The County would have been responsible for maintenance of the lights, another concern for council in making the decision, according to Ashdown.

He added there was a question of whether installing the lights would decrease crime in the subdivision, the original reason for the petition.

“We didn’t see any evidence that showed one way or another whether it was positive or negative,” said Ashdown. “It wasn’t clear that would accomplish what the people wanted.”

Christine Pennell, Springbank Police Advisory Committee chair, who penned a letter opposing the lights on behalf of the group, praised the decision.

“I am pleased that council took into account people’s view and in the end decided to support the community,” said Pennell.

She said the lights went against the Central Springbank Area Structure Plan, which contains a dark sky policy. Pennell added there is some evidence that lighting the business park may actually attract more crime, defeating the businesses’ purpose for the petition.

“I don’t see the point of changing area structure plans, made by people in the community for the people,” said Pennell. “People that don’t live there shouldn’t change the area structure plan.”


Airdrie Today Staff

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