COCHRANE— A land-use re-designation is one step closer to reality for the Greystone area development after the public hearing concerning the land came to a close.
Bylaw 13/2020, a land-use bylaw amendment to re-designate a section of the Greystone community was the first thing on the agenda for the Town of Cochrane Council at their Monday (May 25) meeting.
A written submission was shared with the council from Patrick Wetter of the B&A planning group on behalf of BURNSWEST Developments Ltd. the developer of Greystone.
Wetter’s letter noted that the area has been an important industrial base for Cochrane since the 1940s.
Town of Cochrane Senior Planner Candace Banack provided information to council on the Greystone area, located at the former BURNCO gravel pit operation.
When extraction of gravel ceased operation a proposal came to the council asking for a new land designation to aid in facilitating development in the area.
“With this re-designation in place BURNSWEST will be able to move forward with preparing the site and attracting retail and employment uses to the land,” reads Wetters letter.
Cochrane Council adopted the Greystone Area Structure Plan and the Greystone Development Area C Neighbourhood Plan in the summer of 2018.
The application for land use re-designation proposes to transform 37 acres of land located in the eastern area of the gravel extraction district into an area that includes a 9.5-acre central business district, 16-acre business park district, 11-acre general industrial district and 0.7-acre public service district, Banack said.
Cochrane Planning Commission has been supportive of the amendment and is glad to see the developers are following the plans previously adopted by the council. She noted that the Commission is looking forward to seeing the application move forward.
Banack added the reclamation at the site is expected to be finished by late July or early August. However, the development of the area will be driven by market demand.
The bylaw will be coming back to the council in the future for second and third reading.
The public hearing for Bylaw 12/2020 a land-use amendment to re-designate 75 West Aarsby Road was closed with no concerns from the council, the public or neighbouring landlords.
The amendment was passed by council and will re-designate the land from Highway Commercial District to Local Commercial District, said planner Adam Nordquist.
The area is currently occupied by a multi-unit commercial building that has offices, a medical clinic, eating establishments, retail stores, veterinary care and personal service establishments. All businesses will be able to comply with the new bylaw.
It was noted that many of these businesses are not currently permitted within a Highway Commercial District making the amendment necessary to bring the land into compliance with municipal bylaws, Nordquist said.
A public hearing was held for Bylaw 12/2020 was held on May 11 and was adjourned to allow the Cochrane Planning Commission time to comment.
The commission supported the proposed land-use designation.
After experiencing technical difficulties, Cochrane Council was forced to adjourn their meeting to reconvene on Thursday (May 28) at 6 p.m.
