Mayor Jeff Genung is in favour of much of what Melcor’s proposed Sunset Ridge Stage 3 has to offer, but is making it clear that he prefers the ultimate solution to the proposed interim solution for secondary access into the community.
Melcor presented to council on Monday night as part of the town’s Community Enhancement Evaluation process.
“I want it to be clear that I’m not happy with the interim solution and I’m in favour of the ultimate access,” said Genung, adding that he is “hopeful that we can reach an agreement that will work for everybody.”
Prior to any subsequent development in Sunset Ridge – the fastest growing community in Cochrane with nearly 5,000 residents – a secondary access into the community must be approved.
The proposed ultimate solution would provide a connection to Township Road 263 to the north, with a full intersection at Highway 22 – this construction is not currently possible as the lands required are outside of town jurisdiction and on lands not owned by Melcor.
The interim solution would travel through Sunset Ridge and onto Highway 22, with improvements made to the intersection at View Ridge Place through acceleration and deceleration lanes.
A grassroots group called Sunset Ridge Facts has come out of the gate recently to voice its opposition to Melcor’s proposed interim solution.
John Groenvald lives on the 40-acre parcel of land currently under Rocky View County jurisdiction that would be required by the developer for the ultimate solution to be built.
He and a handful of other Sunset Ridge and nearby rural residents maintain the developer is putting forward an inadequate solution to address the current status of growth and future growth.
Groenvald was joined by a packed open house at the RancheHouse last Thursday, hosted by Melcor to showcase the parameters of both the interim and ultimate secondary access solutions.
“I think people are skeptical … they are concerned,” said Groenvald with respect to what he was hearing in the room that evening.
Sunset Ridge Facts is advocating that Cochrane annex Groenvald’s land from the county, where Melcor could then move forward with the ultimate solution following the purchase of Groenvald’s land.
Division 9 Coun. Crystal Kissel stopped by the open house, expressing her concerns for the perceived short-sightedness of the interim access and emphasizing that “we have to start thinking long-term … not about five years out, but 20 years out.”
Cam Camden, whose family has pioneer status with history dating back to 1906, now lives on an acreage by Cochrane Lake hamlet. Camden said he is not in favour of the ultimate solution – as this would pose significant noise and traffic concerns on his doorstep.
He also is concerned that Groenvald did not indicate he was in favour of annexation when his land was flagged as being included in the Sunset Ridge ASP back in 2004.
Melcor had transportation expert, Chris Delanoy, on deck to present the proposed interim solution, which would be built to a permanent standard.
Delaney confirmed Melcor is in talks with Alberta Transportation to coincide work with the future interchange project at highways 1A/22, in order to avoid further congestion problems during construction of both intersections.
Alan Boucher of Melcor said he is looking forward to working with the town to achieve a solution, but in the event the construction of the ultimate access is not possible he is confident the interim solution meets all technical and safety merits.
“We have spent a lot of time listening to the concerns of affected stakeholders and understand their frustration as it relates to traffic congestion leaving Sunset Ridge onto Highway 22,” said Boucher.
“We will be working with the town on implementing some quick improvements to improve traffic flows in the community, until the second access and dual left turn from Sunset Boulevard can be constructed, hopefully as early as 2020.”
Stage 3 plans include such amenities as green spaces, a future school site and pathways to encompass the vision of a “complete community.”
Coun. Morgan Nagel was not in favour of the absence of the R-1 housing product in the proposed development but did applaud the developer’s plans to include an off-leash dog park and said he would love to see Melcor incorporate even more green space into a future park to fill a gap for Sunset dog owners in need of adequate space for their canines.
Melcor said that it has heard loud and clear about Sunset’s need for a dog park.
If approved, following a formal submission to the town in the “very near future,” the first occupants in Sunset Ridge Stage 3 are still at least two to three years out.
