A proposed 303-lot housing development opposed by neighbouring farmers didn’t get past first base at Red Deer County council on Tuesday.
Council voted 4-1 against granting first reading of a bylaw to adopt an area structure plan for the 316-acre site on farmland next to Davey Lake, about 18 km east of Bowden.
Several councillors agreed with county staff who recommended the Davey Lake project be turned down because it doesn’t comply with the Municipal Development Plan. That document says most residential growth should be directed to new or existing hamlets with a full range of services. The proposed subdivision is also located in an area identified in the county’s draft Environmentally Significant Area Management Plan.
This is the second time the development has failed to clear first reading at the county. In December 2008, a rezoning application was lost on a tie vote.
Councillor George Gehrke voted against first reading, arguing that if a proposed development doesn’t fit the municipal development plan, council should either reject it or agree to amend the plan.
Councillor Jim Wood voted in favour of first reading because it would trigger a public hearing. “I think it’s important that the public have their say.” Wood said his vote should not be seen as a sign of support for the project.
Farmers Glenn Norman and Murray Stauffer, who are both planning to expand their operations, expressed relief that county council did not support the development.
“We are pleased that the county followed their own bylaws in light of the community is unanimously opposed to this development,” said Norman following the meeting.
“The area itself is probably one of the most economically viable agriculture areas within the county.”
Stauffer, who grows hay and raises cattle, goats and bees on his farm adjacent to the proposed development, said putting a large housing development next to farms would create problems with dogs, trespassing, traffic and litter.
“A plastic grocery bag could kill a cow,” he said, adding the bags can get blown into feed and eaten by animals.
Davey Lake is also a valuable wildlife area with a number of rare birds, including one of the province’s few blue heron nesting areas.
Farmers could also face complaints about manure spreading, equipment noise and other aspects of agricultural operations if hundreds of homes sprouted up nearby.
Davey Lake Developments president Chris Baradoy said the county was passing up a project that would create the most environmentally conscious development in Alberta. If this proposal didn’t pass muster, other property owners with environmentally friendly developments should be concerned about their property values and rights as landowners, he said outside council chambers.
The Davey Lake Area Structure Plan says the project would protect wildlife corridors and the existing wetlands as well as encouraging environmentally innovative home technologies such as geothermal heating and cooling and solar power. A network of trails would be built and canoeing and other non-motorized boating promoted on the lake.
Baradoy also said the proposed site was listed as an area appropriate for multi-lot subdivisions in the county’s Agriculture Viability Study.
Councillor David Hoar excused himself from the debate and vote to avoid a potential conflict of interest. His family owns land near Davey Lake. Councillor Penny Archibald was absent.
pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com