The first phase of construction is on the horizon for Harmony, a development planned for the northwestern corner of Springbank.
Harmony, which is being planned by Bordeaux Properties, is being constructed adjacent to the Springbank Airport. In addition to homes, the project includes a village centre, a 140-acre lake, a 27-hole golf course and municipal school site.
At full build-out, the community will boast approximately 3,500 residences.
“Someone recently told me that we were, effectively, constructing a small town,” said Birol Fisecki, president of Bordeaux Properties. “We’re trying to create that feeling and vibrancy — we want to welcome people into the community.”
Construction will soon be starting on the first phase of the project, said Fisecki. This phase includes the development of about 220 homes, an 18-hole golf course, a commercial area and about 40 acres of lake.
“We’re aiming to have show-home construction starting this fall,” he said.
Harmony is the result of 10 years of consulting and planning, he added.
Some residents are opposed to the project, concerned the high-density community won’t mesh with the rural fabric.
“There is immense growth pressure on the region, but I’m a big believer that through good planning you can have your cake and eat it too,” said Fisecki.
Rocky View County reeve Margaret Bahcheli said county council admires the amount of work that has gone into planning the “well-designed” project, and that the full-build out of the development — the remainder of the construction phases — still needs approval.
“This development is not insignificant — it’ll be home to about 10,000 people,” she said. “(The developer) will be back in front of council for approval for the following stages of construction.”
Fisecki said the project has been on the radar of the Calgary Airport Authority, the owner of the Springbank Airport. According to the development’s airport compatibility assessment, Harmony’s land uses were observed to be “strategically situated to minimize the community’s impact on airport operations, and vice versa.”
The document stated the land uses within the development plan placed residences in an area that is expected to “limit any community annoyance from aircraft noise.”
The golf course, along with light industrial development, will act as a buffer between the airport and the residences.
