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County housing project faces hurdles

A proposed country residential subdivision near Sylvan Lake is too close to an industrial area, say Red Deer County planners.

A proposed country residential subdivision near Sylvan Lake is too close to an industrial area, say Red Deer County planners.

Kuusamo Lakes would see 116 residential lots, a condominium and a commercial site built on a 202-acre site about three km west of Sylvan Lake, north of Hwy 11.

But development officer Treena Miller told county council this week that the project is not compatible with surrounding land uses. Much of the surrounding area is prime agricultural land, and Kuusamo Industrial Park is located just southwest of the housing site.

The housing development also would not meet a 1.6-km setback from industrial sites as required in the county’s municipal development plan.

CFR Chemicals is located just south of the proposed development. The company, which provides chemicals for industrial and mechanical companies and the oilpatch, plans to expand by adding a 40,000-square-foot building and additional storage tanks.

The panhandle and triangular design of some of the lots also poses problems with access and placing homes, says a review of the developer’s plans.

Other residents in the area have also expressed concerns that the development by Red Deer’s CU Consulting is too large for the area and there may not be enough water available. Another concern was increased traffic on Hwy 11 and local rural roads.

It is proposed that lots would range in size from one-third of an acre to three acres. A large area would be left as open space and three small lakes or wetlands will be created along with a trail network. Homes will be serviced with communal water and sewage systems and a sewage treatment plant will be built on the site.

While the county’s planning department does not support the proposed plan, it recommended that first reading be approved to allow a public hearing to be held. Council unanimously approved first reading. A date for a public hearing has not been set.

A representative for CU Consulting could not be reached for comment.

pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com