A proposed housing development that rang some alarm bells at the nearby Summer Village of Birchcliff has passed another approval step at Lacombe County.
Council approved on Tuesday second reading of a rezoning bylaw for The Slopes development, which will include 33 single-family and 16 semi-detached homes at a scenic location just northeast of the summer village.
The 48.5-acre site is to be rezoned from agriculture to residential conservation cluster and higher density lakeshore residential.
A number of concerns were raised by summer village representatives at a public hearing on the project last month.
A key issue was the potential impact of the development on groundwater supplies.
Groundwater and aquifer testing carried out by the developers indicated water supplies are more than adequate, says a report to council from county planning intern Anita O’Driscoll.
To prevent potable water from being used for lawn watering and irrigation, homes will not have outdoor spigots.
Low-flow toilets and other fixtures will be included in the project being developed by Lance and Tracy Skinner.
The summer village had questioned how the ban on using potable water for landscaping would be enforced. rchitectural guidelines and enforced through a homeowner’s association.
Drainage issues have also been addressed.
The Slopes lots will drain into a constructed wetland and Alberta Environment approval will be required for the drainage system to “ensure that there is no adverse effect on the lake and other surrounding properties,” says the report.
The developers have also set aside land to provide road widening and realignment of an intersection at Birchcliff Road and Range Road 1-4.
Developers will have to pay part of the cost of upgrading the intersection.
Concerns had been raised that realignment was necessary to meet an increase in the numbers of vehicles as the area develops.
A development agreement will now be drafted by the developers and the county before the project comes back for third and final reading.