While council started 2019 with a light agenda that included setting a non-statutory public hearing for the Sunset Ridge Stage Neighbourhood Plan at the Jan. 28 meeting, Mayor Jeff Genung is looking to the year ahead as an action year.
“I think last year was a year of planning and 2019, I’m hoping, is a year of executing ... number one on that list is still transit,” explained Genung, who added that administration has a lot of work ahead of them following council’s recent approval of the on-demand transit system.
From bus stops to signage, advertising to branding, fleet selection to bus style, and a user-friendly app for bookings – there are many factors that administration has to address before a late summer pilot and full launch of transit by fall 2019.
Also on the books is the pending annexation of the 160-acre parcel of land north of Heritage Hills. Given the looming provincial election, the town does not anticipate the province to finalize the annexation – where the Town of Cochrane has annexed the site from Rocky View County – until the summer.
While some 30 acres are reserved for a future Rocky View Schools high school site, the town has marked the balance of the 130 acres for future recreational uses – exactly of what purpose is yet to be determined.
“Is it ball diamonds, soccer pitches or rugby?” said Genung, who said the town will look to the work of the Parks and Recreational Committee on how to move forward. It is not anticipated that the site will be serviced with usable fields or diamonds until at least 18 months from now.
Included in the annexation is the 40 acres north of Sunset Ridge – lands required for a future Stage Three of the community and for an ultimate access (second intersection) to be installed.
Genung explained that changing the Sunset Ridge area structure plan would allow for the ultimate access, although land use and future development would be explored at a later date – nodding to the abundance of approved development currently online in Cochrane.
With respect to the Tri-Site concept plan, Genung is looking forward to setting the wheels in motion, as user groups ready for next steps.
He said that stakeholders involved in the future plans to develop the Fifth Avenue, library and Esso Bulk lands sites – including senior, youth, arts and cultural groups, and the Lions Club – have been meeting with him and he has heard loud and clear that nobody wants to see the recently revealed plans to be shelved.
Genung said the town is looking forward to seeing what grant opportunities may come forward.
“We as a council need to be strategic in what we’re giving energy to,” he said.
Transportation infrastructure projects are also shaping up, including the Centre Avenue widening, Bow River Bridge project and the promised funding of the interchange project at the 1A/22 intersection.
