Jones Estate Land The highly contentious Jones Estate Land will be back before council for consideration at the Sept. 10 council meeting, beginning with a public hearing. The new applicant is looking to develop 11 single-family units on the 4.15-acre site adjacent to the Vistas of Gleneagles. Vistas resident Rodger Grant is one of many Gleneagles residents who has spoken out against the development, with respect to slope stability concerns, drainage issues and congestion on the narrow Vista Lane roadway. Ron Douglas, president of the Gleneagles Community Association, said the association is "obviously disappointed that council gave first reading (to the matter)" but remain hopeful the rest of council will follow Coun. Alex Reed's lead, who voted against first reading, and refuse the development in September. Coun. Morgan Nagel, who voted against developing the site last year, addressed the full gallery by acknowledging that passing first reading was part of due process and would provide the mostly new council an opportunity to hear the matter. FCSS and United Way Kim Krawec of Cochrane Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) and Margaret Stevens of United Way were on deck at July 9 council to share with council the many initiatives supported over the last year through the partnering grant program. Through the partnership, nearly $120,000 was allocated in grant dollars to 12 projects in Cochrane for the 2017 year ($50,000 from FCSS and $70,000 from the United Way). Intake is now open for applications for the 2019 grant year. Krawec said each year the number of applicants increases – up to 15 in 2018 from 12 the year before. This year there was a $64,860 shortfall. Successful applicants are decided by prioritizing needs. OLAG Members Julie Sharpe and Kelli Martin-Willisco of the Off Leash Advocacy Group (OLAG) delivered their first presentation to town council on Monday night. A Facebook poll conducted by OLAG this March produced a number of revelations that were presented to council – that the creation of off-leash spaces was identified as "of great importance," with communities such as Fireside and Sunset the most identifiable areas in need. Consultations held by OLAG revealed seven potential areas in Cochrane in need of an off-leash park – the top four locations include the Cochrane Ranche, Bow Meadows, Sunset Ridge and a tie between Riviera and Bow Ridge. The Ranche was seen as by far the most logical space to create an off-leash space, given its location that would not call for fencing or additional parking. With garbage bins and even poop bags already provided, OLAG highlighted the Ranche as the most cost-effective area to create a park. "OLAG will continue monthly meetings and will focus efforts on consulting in these identified areas," said Sharpe. The group was formed during the contentious back-and-forth battle in early spring 2017 over the placement of an off-leash dog park along Highway 22, bordering the community of West Valley, which resulted in some resident backlash. The final park was a comprise that included a reduction in size and moving it further south. OLAG has vowed to build a positive working relationship with the town as it seeks to carve out more places to walk pooches free of restraint in town.
