Two proposed developments in Rocky View County (RVC) have hit roadblocks, after council tabled their applications during a regular meeting June 25 and requested additional information from the applicants.
Council unanimously granted first reading to a conceptual scheme and associated redesignation for River Edge – a proposed 49-lot residential community comprising 201 acres along the Elbow River in Springbank – before tabling the application until outstanding matters such as a servicing strategy, stormwater management plan and a revised conceptual scheme are addressed.
“Given the proximity to the river…I think we need a bit more technical information before I could make a decision here today,” Area Coun. Kim McKylor said. “I do recognize you need some certainty.”
According to planner Jessica Anderson, the application was not consistent with County policy, as the development would not be located within an identified growth area. Additionally, she said, the proposal did not meet the requirements for a conceptual scheme submission and the associated land use application did not implement the policy framework outlined in the conceptual scheme.
A redesignation application for a business development on 5.25 acres in Balzac was also tabled unanimously until the applicant prepares a conceptual scheme.
According to planner Oksana Newmen, the lands are currently used as a tourist campground with recreational vehicle storage. A four-acre portion was also designated as a Direct Control District for the purposes of developing a data centre in 2013, but she said that was never pursued.
The Balzac Area Structure Plan (ASP), in which the lands are located, seeks comprehensive planning of new development, and Newmen said the applicant did not submit a conceptual scheme.
“Further, insufficient technical analysis was completed to determine the suitability of redesignating the site to potential high volume uses which are allowed in the Business – Highway Frontage district,” she said.
Area Coun. Daniel Henn said, although he felt many technical considerations could be addressed at the subdivision stage, he wanted a better understanding of what the applicant was proposing.
“This is, to me, about land use and a conceptual scheme would give me a lot better understanding of what the land use will be,” he said.
