Cochrane town council heard from the Cochrane Developers Liaison Group (CDLG) at the council meeting on Jan. 25.
Charles Boechler, with Harmony Park Development Corp., met with council to discuss efforts CDLG has made in collaboration with the town’s administration and council. During his presentation, Boechler referenced three letters that town council had received from Harmony Park, Tamani, and Melcor, in relation to a notice of motion put forward by Coun. Jeff Toews and Coun. Gaynor Levisky regarding community enhancement.
All three letters express the desire to hold a forum of some sort in order to create a dialogue about the Community Enhancement Plan and address the notice of motion.
Coun. Tara McFadden expressed the desire to “start taking back the public streets” when moving forward with development.
“That would be a challenge I would like to see if we can put to your group – if you could come forward with solutions in on-going developments in order to give back the public space of our streets. Instead of the town trying to find the options, between your group and all your planners you might be able to come up with something that will be better suited.”
Boechler confirmed he could take back her request to the group for consideration.
Coun. Toews had concerns about the letters received regarding the request for the opportunity to engage with administration. He notes the notice of motion was put forward roughly a year and a half ago.
“My understanding was that (the group) was engaging with administration and that you were going to come forward and suggest different alternatives if something we put forward didn’t work exactly. And quite honestly we didn’t hear anything,” Coun. Toews said.
Boechler couldn’t speak on behalf of the other developers but clarified there may have been opportunity for engagement but the letters were requesting a “longer dialogue” to understand the background of what the town wants to accomplish and what may be missing, suggesting they may not have had the proper information.
“A lot of time passed because there were a lot of details and a lot of questions,” said Boechler. “We feel that the opportunity to have council come forward with the notice of motion directly to the CDLG and sit down and hear some of the responses would reflect the facts that we all have our own opinions and our own ways of doing business.”
Coun. Toews expressed that council wants all discussions on this matter currently to remain public.
“Speaking only for myself, I feel that what has spurred a bit of this is the underlying feeling that in the recent years development across Cochrane has kind of spiralled out of control,” Coun. Morgan Nagel said in weighing in on the discussion.
He asked how the growth in Cochrane will likely be affected by Alberta’s economy. Boechler was unable to answer his question as he is not an industry expert in that area.
“You’re going to see what we’re going to see – we’re all going to respond to the same thing. And that’s part of this collaboration; we want to have it so that we can react quickly when things do change or shift,” Boechler said.
Boechler concluded his presentation by summarizing why the collaboration of CDLG and the town is beneficial.
“Cochrane has something very unique, it always has. It’s always had its own market place and we want to be a part of it to make sure that continues to be the case.”
Coun. Toews made a motion to accept the presentation from CDLG as information, which was passed unanimously.
