Councillor Morgan Nagel wants to fix Cochrane’s traffic problems before allowing more residential development.
“If we don’t get the traffic issue sorted out, we will be in trouble,” Nagel said.
Nagel put forward a notice of motion at the July council meeting that proposed freezing any future residential development and not allowing new development permits until the “increasing traffic congestion” has a solution.
Nagel said he does not think Cochrane can handle more homes and mentioned that while the town has been growing in the double digit percentages for the past couple years, he does not think the highways could handle another year of four to five per cent growth.
“The highway is over capacity,” Nagel said.
“I have been talking with administration and I want a number of financial options to bring to council in the fall, although I do think this is something Cochrane will be able to afford.”
The notice of motion is set to come before council again in September for a vote.
A fellow councillor has already taken to social media to clarify any “misinformation” the notice of motion might have given the public.
Coun. Ross Watson wrote a letter to the editor stating that the new bridge across the Bow River is still on track for a 2019 opening.
“We still need to negotiate the land right of ways but the bridge is still scheduled for 2019. Slowing residential growth in the town adds some questions but we can still do it,” Watson said.
He added if the notice of motion is passed, he does not see a big effect on the short term as “a number of homes already have building permits” but he does think it will cause the developers some concerns because it will have an effect on the long-term plans.
Nagel said if the notice of motion passed it would affect the Southbow Landing housing development and the Heritage Hills housing development, because building permits have yet to be approved.
If mayor and council agree to declare the freeze, Nagel notice of motion includes two criteria be met before lifting the freeze: that the Government of Alberta “clearly indicates” a full-financial commitment to upgrading the intersection of Highways 1A and 22; and that the Town of Cochrane acquires the right of ways or land accesses necessary to facilitating the construction of the new bridge across the Bow River.
“I don’t know if the notice of motion will pass, it does resonate with residents,” Watson said.
As for community feedback, Nagel said he has only received “extremely” positive support since the notice of motion became public.
“I did not tell the other councillors before I brought this to the council meeting because I wanted a respectful debate,” Nagel said.
“We need to afford to pay for our current residents today with current tax dollars … and I feel like this is a low risk option. You will either see a change right away or if not, you will see changes in five to six years where if Cochrane does not grow in that time then it is probably a good thing.”
