Red Deer County council approved a plan to guide development around Pine Lake after voting to water down the initial version.
Planning staff had proposed an area structure plan to map out future growth around the lake, which is expected to continue to attract residents who are keen on enjoying lake life. But after some debate on Tuesday, council voted in favour of a concept plan, which is meant to provide guidelines for development rather than specific regulations.
The plan proposes five residential development nodes be set aside for future housing that could accommodate up to 3,700 people. A pair of commercial sites would also be created for stores, gas bars and other businesses. Under the plan, additional private access points to the lake would not be allowed and it is recommended that public access should be maintained and improved.
About 40 people attended a public hearing on the plan at Red Deer County Centre on Tuesday. Some voiced opposition to allowing any more development on the lake and others took the approach that the proposed plan was better than no plan at all.
Jim Hutton, who has owned land on the lake for a dozen years, said he was disappointed that tax dollars were spent on a plan that doesn’t address residents’ concerns.
“The lake can’t stand any more development. There’s not enough water for any more boats,” he told council.
Longtime lake resident Bill Weisenburger said he was disappointed that the plan did not include other government bodies with a stake in the lake’s health, such as Alberta Environment.
“We have way too much traffic on that lake,” he said. “It’s dangerous.”
While council was in general agreement that a plan was needed, some spoke out against going the area structure plan route.
Coun. George Gehrke said he would prefer the planning work done take the form of a concept plan. Unlike the area structure plan, which would have restricted development to the nodes outlined in the plan, a concept plan provides more flexibility.
Gehrke said creating such a huge area structure plan can prove very difficult to work with in practical terms. Besides, each development coming forward would require its own area structure plan, which would be judged on its merits.
The vote to accept the Pine Lake Area Structure Plan was defeated 5-1, with Major Jim Wood the only one in favour. Coun. Don Nesbitt was absent.
An amendment to approve the document as a concept plan passed unanimously.
Following the meeting, Weisenburger had mixed feelings.
“It wasn’t the best outcome. But I guess looking at the long-term potential, they have to have a plan.”
The document still does not address issues of water quality, crowding and other residents’ concerns, nor does it outline who is responsible for what in ensuring the lake remains healthy, he said.
pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com