All signs indicate Rocky View County council will proceed with the proposed development of Cochrane’s eastern borders known as the Glenbow Ranch Area Structure Plan (GRASP).
County council has directed administration to move forward with four amendments to the draft GRASP - including lowering densities in two areas of the development for better transitioning – and the anticipation is that council will move forward with the development at its July 25 meeting.
“I think they’re trying to push this through as quickly as they can because of the growth management board and ahead of the election this fall,” said county resident Janet Ballantyne, who was “appalled” at council’s “disregard and disrespect for residents” at the meeting.
She added that she felt the density amendments, initiated by Bearspaw Coun. Eric Lowther, were a distraction from the plan as a whole and politically motivated to appease a minority of landowners with smaller acreage parcels.
Lowther said there was overwhelming support for the development plan and the amended densities would be a fair compromise to affected residents.
Coun. Jerry Arshinoff remains opposed to the GRASP and is concerned Lowther is not acting in the best interests of the bulk of his constituency.
Andy Crooks, chair of the Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park Foundation board, has been vocal in his support of the development – affirming GRASP will provide the best protection for the adjacent provincial park.
“We at the foundation are terrifically excited about the prospects for the future of this great ASP,” said Crooks, giving a nod to Lowther and north Cochrane (division 9) Coun. Bruce Kendall for their “support and leadership.”
Cochrane council will continue to oppose the GRASP development, which could result in costly appeals.
“We will be exploring our options no differently than Calgary will be and we are disappointed that they are considering this ahead of the growth management board,” said Cochrane Mayor Ivan Brooker.
Brooker has expressed concerns that a development upwards of 16,000 on the town’s eastern borders could be a drain on Cochrane’s resources without contributing to the tax base.
Cochrane council moved ahead this week with endorsing the Alberta Community Partnership Grant application to fund an interim growth plan and evaluation framework in order to ensure Cochrane has a voice on regional growth as a mandated member of the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board (CMRB).
Brooker explained that he would rather see Cochrane at the table on anything to do with growth on the town’s borders – remarking that it’s unfortunate to see the GRASP moving forward before the CMRB comes into effect, presumably this fall.
Coun. Morgan Nagel’s efforts to put a stop to council’s endorsement of an interim growth plan was struck down at the June 26 meeting.
“I’m completely against a growth management board,” said Nagel of the provincially-directed board that all CRP members, as well as Rocky View County have been mandated to join, adding that he is concerned about Cochrane “giving up a lot of its planning independence.”
“We don’t have a choice, quite honestly – the province is mandating this,” said Mayor Ivan Brooker, explaining that while he understands Nagle’s concerns, the board has already been legislated and that interim guidance is important for the interim period.
“If we stick our heads in the sand, we’ll have no involvement in this and that’s the worse of two evils – so to speak,” said Brooker.
Brooker sits on the Calgary Regional Partnership board of directors.
The CMRB mandated partners include Airdrie, Calgary, Chestermere, Cochrane, High River, the MD of Foothills, Rocky View County, Strathmore, Okotoks and Wheatland County.
