La Vita Land, the developer of the Fireside community in Cochrane, held an open house Feb. 26 to showcase its development plans for the area to the public.
This was only one week following the Save Fireside Wetlands (SFW) and the Cochrane Environmental Action Committee’s ‘Wetlands in the Theatre’ presentation at the Cochrane RancheHouse Feb. 20.
Members of the SFW group, including Kelly Falk, have been vocal about their concerns over the destruction and ‘preservation’ of a number of the wetlands in the Fireside community.
Falk said he felt the developer’s presentation was merely a sales pitch, rather than an opportunity for those concerned about the impact on the ecosystem that the future Phase Two Fireside development could have.
“The Save Fireside Wetlands organization is not against all development,” explained Falk. “We understand that growth is normal and can be beneficial; however, rampant growth is not good for Cochrane residents.”
Falk said he is considered that Cochrane’s small-town feel is en route to being bowled over by Cochrane’s role in the Calgary Regional Partnership, which encourages high-density development (8-10 units per acre) in partnering municipalities.
With respect to Phase Two Fireside development, the SFW group is primarily concerned with the proposed destruction of one of the wetlands in the area — deemed a ‘stage three’ (seasonal) wetland.
“Historically, it’s defined as a class three,” said Nicole Tomes, planner with the Town of Cochrane. “From the town’s perspective, it’s still very early in the process.”
Tomes said the town would take into consideration feedback from concerned parties with respect to the development approvals process.
Justin Mauro, development manager for LaVita Lands, said he felt the open house went quite well.
“There’s always conflict when it comes to development, particularly when it comes to a small town that’s adapting to higher-density home building that is essentially being set out by Calgary.”
Mauro said LaVita Land has already preserved three of the largest wetlands in the area in their natural state, as well as ‘preserving’ (through relocation or with man-made construction) eligible wetlands assessed under provincial regulation.
Falk said he has spoken to concerned Fireside residents and Cochranites who felt misled in the ‘preservation’ of the wetlands.
