It was standing room only on the evening of June 9, as council chambers filled with concerned Cochrane residents appealing to council to prevent Fireside developer La Vita Land from the continued destruction of ‘Fireside Wetland #15' as part of the p
It was standing room only on the evening of June 9, as council chambers filled with concerned Cochrane residents appealing to council to prevent Fireside developer La Vita Land from the continued destruction of ‘Fireside Wetland #15' as part of the proposed Fireside Stage Two Neighbourhood Plan.
A variety of wetland supporters delivered compelling presentations, including Fireside and adjacent Rolling Range residents, all of which were accepted as information by Mayor Ivan Brooker and council.
A variety of concerns were brought to light through the presentations, including the aesthetic, ecological and environmental value of wetlands in general; the alleged lack of research by the developer on the impact the removal of the wetland may have on hydrology, flooding and development on unstable ground; the urban/rural interface and how this could be better achieved in a more sustainable fashion; and the classification system used to categorize wetlands (Class 1-7; Wetland #15 has been categorized as a Class 3 or a ‘seasonal wetland,' which wetland supporters argue is inaccurate and that the wetland exists year-round).
The presentations were delivered with enthusiasm, which climaxed during a presentation made by Cochrane resident Lauren Zawislak, when it was brought to light that certain elected members of council had received campaign contributions from La Vita Land - spurring a discussion about a possible conflict of interest; it is not illegal to receive campaign contributions from developers.
One individual, who requested his name and photo were not run in the Eagle, stood up and demanded Mayor Brooker reveal the amount he received from LaVita Land during the last election campaign.
Brooker received $2,000 from La Vita Land and councillor Tara McFadden received $500. Former deputy mayor Joann Churchill also received $2,000 from the developer for her unsuccessful campaign for mayor last fall.
Representatives from La Vita Land, including vice-president Kent Hystad, followed with a presentation to council to highlight they have ‘gone above and beyond' the requirements set forth by the Town of Cochrane, as well as Alberta Environment; they appear determined to stick to their 2009 development plan.
“I don't know if there has been enough research on the impact of the removal of this wetland, ” said Jeff Robertson, a Jumping Pound resident and environmental scientist who has been working with the ‘Save Fireside Wetland' group; visit savefiresidewetland.org to learn more about this grassroots group.
One of the presenters at council, Robertson followed up with an interview with the Eagle, highlighting specific concerns such as “the cumulative effects on surface water and ground water from filling the wetland in ” and a possible lack of due diligence by the developer.
He went on to suggest he hopes the strong turnout and passion expressed by those who wish to save the wetland will lay some groundwork for future wetland protection in Cochrane - adding that he hopes Cochrane will stand out as a community that “doesn't just follow the criteria set out by Alberta Environment ” with respect to other wetlands.
Councillors engaged presenters with questions and acknowledged their concerns.
The possible legal implications were not brought up in the event that council requests La Vita Land to not move forward with their current Fireside Stage Two Neighbourhood Plan, which includes the destruction of the wetland.
The next step will be at the June 23 council meeting, where the developer is anticipated to request approvals to move forward with the neighbourhood plan.
Cochrane council adopted a new ‘Wetlands Conservation Policy' last fall, which can be viewed online at cochrane.ca.
