Following a review of public hearing feedback and and an update from the developer on Feb. 12, council gave a second reading to Bylaw 17/2023: Rolling Trails Area Redevelopment Plan.
The plan area incorporates the communities of Towers Trail and Rolling Range. Both areas were developed into acreage-style developments prior to their annexation to Cochrane in 2004.
Since that time, the lands have retained their urban holdings district land use, remaining as 41 acreages ranging in size from 1.8 to 19.9 acres, alongside two public service town owed parcels, one environmental reserve parcel, and one municipal reserve parcel.
In June 2019, Canopy Lands, the applicants for the Rolling Trails Area Redevelopment Plan, presented their Community Enhancement Evaluation to council, followed by an application submitted to Cochrane administration in October 2019.
The applicant has since been working with town administration to prepare an area redevelopment plan that aligns with planning documents and guidelines, alongside the land use bylaw and the existing municipal development plan.
On Feb. 12, the second reading for the Rolling Trails Area Redevelopment plan was presented to council, which included a summary of public concerns with subsequent levels of planning that address concerns presented during the public hearing process.
Mark Krysinski, director of community growth for the Town of Cochrane, said administration is confident in their policies and mechanisms in place to mitigate concerns raised by residents in the public hearing process.
“Residents, landowners and the municipality are all partners in how Cochrane grows as a vibrant and livable community,” Krysinski said. “If the Area Redevelopment Plan is approved by Council in third reading, concerns raised on increase in traffic, impact to wildlife and natural spaces will be addressed through detailed reporting through the creation of a neighbourhood plan and subsequent steps in the planning process as it advances towards development.”
The draft Rolling Trails Redevelopment Plan will be submitted to the Calgary Metropolitan Regional Board for review before returning to council for a third reading.
Prior to any construction in Cochrane, plans must be created, considered, and compliant with all existing regulations and guidelines. This includes an area structure plan, neighbourhood plan, land use amendment, subdivision, and development and building permits.
For more information about Bylaw 17/2023: Rolling Trails Area Redevelopment Plan, visit Cochrane.ca/councilmeetings for previous Council reports and recorded Council meetings.
