Cochrane Town Council’s Committee of the Whole has received a presentation from the developer of the last area in Sunset Ridge that will complete the neighbourhood – the area on the north edge, bordering on Highway 22.
At the committee meeting March 3, the Rohit Group presented what is known as a Community Enhancement Evaluation for Sunset Ridge North as information only, and offered council the opportunity to provide some feedback on initial directions.
This is the first opportunity for council to give feedback before the application is formally received by Administration.
Put differently, it’s the first kick at the can in the overall lengthy permitting process for council to express any concerns they may have.
The Sunset Ridge North area is located immediately north of Sunset Ridge Stage 3 and east of Highway 22. These lands were approved for annexation by the Town of Cochrane from Rocky View County in June 2019. Following annexation the lands were zoned as Urban Holdings (U-H) which is a holdings district applied to lands intended for future development. The applicant wants to move forward with the long term planning of the area, including a new Neighbourhood Plan and amendments to the existing Sunset Ridge Area Structure Plan.
The development of this area would facilitate completion of the Sunset Ridge community.
The overall process is as follows:
The purpose of the report is to introduce the Sunset Ridge North area and amendments to the Sunset Ridge Area Structure Plan, and provide the Community Enhancement Evaluation (CEE) for Council's consideration and feedback. The purpose of the CEE is to provide Council, the Applicant and Administration the opportunity to assess and discuss potential Area Redevelopment Plans, Area Structure Plans and Neighbourhood Plans before they are submitted as formal applications.
The applicants are required to complete the CEE process prior to submitting an application to Administration. The CEE is intended to generate further discussions before an Area Structure Plan amendment and Neighbourhood Plan are formally submitted to the Town.
Rohit Communities is proposing to add a 40-acre parcel to the Sunset Ridge Area Structure Plan. The new neighbourhood north of Stage 3 will complete the developing Sunset Ridge community. The Plan proposes a variety of residential housing consisting of single detached, semi-detached, townhomes, and multi-family housing.
It will also provide a critical roadway connection to Highway 22 and walkways to developing area to the south. Currently there is only one road into and out of Sunset Ridge – a fact that planners and residents have expressed concerns about in the past.
Some highlights of what the developers are proposing, from the report presented to Council Monday evening:
- Diverse housing types and forms will accommodate a variety of household incomes and demographics. Provides a variety of housing typologies such as street-oriented town houses and multi-unit housing for young families, empty nesters and seniors. Residential housing will be developed using a denser, compact built form.
- Contiguous and logical extension of the developing Sunset Ridge community.
- Provides critical transportation connection to Highway 22.
- Buildings to be developed in a compact and efficient manner.
A Community Engagement Plan Consultation programme is to include an open house with general public; individual meetings with key stakeholders (as required), and, various digital communications – email, social media, and/or website updates.
A small group of disgruntled homeowners near the north edge of Sunset Ridge, (across the street from the latest infill construction on Sunset Crescent) are concerned about the new development immediately to the north of their homes, which will add even more traffic and parking pressure to their area.
They have expressed their opposition to the three-storey townhomes across the street from them, citing an already overcrowded street adjacent to the playground, which will be under added pressure when the new units are completed and sold.
A group of them spoke with The Eagle on Saturday, (one of whom is in the process of listing their house for sale). They said there were already four houses on the street either up for sale or recently sold because of the impending inevitable increase in vehicles that will be parking in front of their homes once the new units are sold.
"It is a sad reality that this Town is more focused on signing off on proposed developments strictly on the basis that they fit into their calculations and check boxes rather than thoroughly assessing the effect it may have on the residents,” said resident Angie Gagnon.
“Cochrane used to be such a great place to live and it's sadly diminished. This is not the town that has kept long-term residents here and this is not the town that attracted new residents. I know this sentiment is shared by many, and I’m 100 per cent sure I’m not the first to provide this opinion. The small-town feel of this community is long gone and it’s so sad. The growth plan is their vision, not ours."
For more on the Rohit Group go to RohitGroup.com.
